Page 21 of Love Off-Limits
“He didn’t. But only because Mom started talking about my dating life and the conversation derailed.”
“Your dating life? Do you have one? Is there something you need to tell me?”
A beat of longing for Tyler filled my chest, but I willed the feeling away. “Of course not. I’m married to Stonebrook right now, remember?”
“The problem is, so is Perry,” Lennox said. “So let’s help him realize he doesn’t have to be.”
I nodded, clinging to this new sliver of hope. I did well when I had measurable tasks in front of me. Work hard. Convince Dad I was ready and capable. And get Perry distracted enough to create more opportunities formeto shine. I didn’t like it. That it suddenly felt like I had to fight for something I’d always believed was already mine.
But it at least felt good to have a plan.
Trouble was, this was Silver Creek. You didn’t find people to date in Silver Creek. “That’s a great idea. We’ll just head on down to the Feed ’n Seed and see who we run into.”
Lennox chuckled. “Oh, the happening nightlife of Silver Creek. How areyousurviving out there on your own?”
Memories of Tyler were doing me just fine, but I’d never admit that to Lennox. “Not all of us have the same insatiable need for attention that you do, Lennox.”
“Fine. Don’t make an effort. Perry can stay single forever, then the only woman around to handle his moodiness will be you.”
“I hate you.”
“Take him to Asheville or something. Even Hendersonville is better than Silver Creek. Or I could set him up with an account on Tinder,” Lennox said. “I’m never lacking for dates.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, but how many of those women do you see a second time?”
“Precisely the point,” Lennox said casually.
“But you know Perry. He would never be a serial dater like you.” Serial dater was maybe a kind way to describe Lennox’s history with women. For being so grounded and good at givingmeadvice, I wouldn’t trust him anywhere near a woman I cared about. The trail of broken hearts behind his charming smile and bright blue eyes waslong.
“Surely you know somebody,” Lennox said. “You played on a college volleyball teamfullof beautiful women. Send the whole team Perry’s picture, invite them down for a weekend, and promise them an easy—”
“Lennox,” I said, cutting him off. “You were doing so well. We have to end this conversation now or I’m going to start to hate you.”
“Love you, Liv,” he said before ending the call. He knew better than to try to defend himself.
I made my way down the line of apple trees, staying in the shade as much as I could. Womanizer or not, Lennox was right. If Dad had said he wanted things to stay steady while he recovered, pushing the restaurant idea was the last thing I needed to do. I couldn’t undo the renovations I’d committed to on the loft—so that might take some juggling—but from here on out, I could do a little better at biding my time. At keeping my head down and working beside Perry without so much complaining.
AndI could try to find someone for Perry to date.
If nothing else, having so many things to focus on would keep me from dwelling too much on the sting of Dad’s rejection.
Mom said she knew Dad believed in me. But after today, I wasn’t so sure.
And that was a hurt I wasn’t prepared to swallow.
Chapter Six
Olivia
Tyler Marino had an extensive Instagram profile. More extensive than I’d expected. Plus, he had nearly ninety thousand followers. That was nothing compared to what the officialRandom Iaccount had. But Tyler posted enough about the show and the different places his work took him that it didn’t surprise me he’d grown a following.
I lingered on one of the only photos that didn’t look work-related. It was of Tyler and a woman I guessed was his sister, Darcy. They had the same eyes and the same dark hair. He had his arm around her, but not in the “hey, let’s pose for a picture” kind of way. It was more like they’d been messing around and someone had captured the candid moment, both of them smiling through their laughter.
The photo made me miss Flint. I saw the rest of my brothers often enough, but it seemed like Flint was always halfway across the world filming in some crazy location. He’d always been the one I’d connected with the most.
The photo also made me miss Tyler.Desperately.The warmth of his personality, the easy way we’d talked, how comfortable he’d made me feel—I could see it all right there, encapsulated in one single photo.
I toyed with the idea of texting him. Asking him what he was up to. But what was the point? I couldn’t leave Stonebrook. Couldn’t give building a relationship with Tyler the attention it deserved.
