Page 27 of It Could Happen
“Wow, that hurts my feelings,” he says dramatically.
“There, there—I’m sure you’ll be all right,” I tease.
“Well, Tori and I had a bit of a misunderstanding the first night we met,” he says. “And she took her frustrations out on poor Axel.”
I roll my eyes. “Axel is Tyler’s truck.”
Parker nods while trying to hide her smile.
“I think they just got off on the wrong foot, but Axel is very forgiving.”
“It’s atruck,” I reiterate.
All of a sudden, three women—including the tall blonde and a guy who’s even more muscular than Tyler—stop to tell him their table is ready.
“I’ll be right there,” he says.
“Anyway, other than having an awesome truck, I’m a CPA and I help coach football at a high school,” he says after his friends walk away. “That’s basically my story.”
Parker continues asking him questions while I just listen. It turns out he met Andy through Matt and Clint. They all started golfing together, and then they became besties. He doesn’t call them his besties, but that’s what he alludes to. This is actually the first time I’ve learned anything about Tyler since Leslie always seems to have him in her clutches.
“Well, it sounds like both of you have been great friends to the bride and groom,” Parker exclaims.
“Yes. Andy and Caroline are one of the happiest couples I’ve ever met,” he says. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people more in love.”
“They definitely have a love at first sight story,” I add.
“I think it’s cool,” he adds. “Like a Hallmark movie.”
I hold up my hand. “Um, I find it hard to believe that you watch Hallmark movies.”
Tyler gives a shrug. “Why? That’s rather presumptuous of you.”
I think about Tyler’s very toned physique and Axel the monster truck.
Crap. Am I turning into my mother? Judging Tyler because he looks like he eats, breathes, and lives in a gym.
“I was just—never mind.”
Tyler starts laughing. “I’m totally kidding. I’ve only seen a few minutes of a Hallmark movie when my mom had it on.”
I scowl. “I knew it.”
“Anyway, I should join my friends,” he says, standing up. “Parker, it was very nice to meet you. And Tori—I’ll be seeing you soon, since we’re taking a trip together.”
I shake my head. “Actually,wearen’t taking a trip together.”
He gives me the same confident smile he had when we first met in the parking lot.
“Whatever you say. I’ll see you on the Lido Deck.”
Tyler slips away to join his friends, and Parker grins from ear to ear.
“Please don’t,” I say, putting my hand to my forehead.
“Um, hello. There’s so much to say right now.”
“Like what?”
