Page 36 of Wrong Number

Tyler’s thick arms circled me as he pulled me against his chest. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. You’re safe.”

He smelled so good. Everything about him felt so warm and comfortable, and I didn’t want to ever be apart from him. But even though his instincts were still to take care of me, I had absolutely no idea where we stood.

“I’m so sorry,” I murmured against his shirt.

“I know. Let’s go.”

Tyler led me down the street, shooting a look over his shoulder, but the creep was already gone. He kept his arm around me as he walked me home, but I couldn’t be sure whether we were still connected like we were before, or if he was just keeping me warm like he did the night we met.

“I’m so sorry,” I started, my stupid eyes betraying me already as the tears began to fall. “I was so embarrassed that I’m related to Jim.”

Tyler’s hand rubbed along my arm gently.

“I didn’t want you to think that I was anything like him. I’m not – I don’t even know him. I only really met him two years ago.” I was trembling, and Tyler stopped on the sidewalk for a moment to put both arms around me, just holding me as a loud motorcycle passed by.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to speak. “Everything was happening so fast, and seemed so perfect, that I was terrified to make any fuss or bring any negativity into our little bubble of happiness.”

He nodded, listening carefully.

“And I’m sorry I came to the bar tonight,” I said quickly. “I wasn’t spying on you, I just needed...” The tears took hold and I couldn’t speak anymore.

“Shh,” he murmured, rocking us from side to side gently. “It’s okay.”

It took me a few minutes to calm down. Reaching into my purse for a tissue, I dabbed at my eyes, then looked up at him.

“We’re going to work it out,” he said.

I felt my mouth fall open and couldn’t stop it. “So that other girl...you’re not with her at all?”

Tyler looked completely confused. “What girl?” Then he blinked and laughed for just a second. “With the black hair? That’s not a girl, that’s Connie. She’s the head of one of our carpentry teams. She hugged me because she’s super excited about leaving for a trip with her boyfriend tomorrow, and she’s going to be gone for two weeks.”

He started to speak but I held up a hand. “If it’s over, I’ll survive,” I said softly. “I understand that you’re likely leaving me, and I’m used to that, but–”

Tyler grabbed me, holding me against his chest, stroking my back as he kissed the top of my head. “I’m not leaving you,” he said quickly. “I’m not.”

We stood together, just breathing for several moments, then he slowly pulled away, holding my hands. “Oh my god, Tana. I’m so sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Yeah, I did,” he said sadly. “No wonder you got nervous when I didn’t call for a few days. Your dad abandoned you. Your mom isn’t close. You mentioned that your school friends got boyfriends and didn’t speak to you anymore. Sweetheart, I’m not like that. I’m not leaving. If we ever did go our separate ways, there would be a huge discussion first, but I honestly don’t think that will ever happen.”

“You can’t know that for sure,” I whispered.

“Sweetheart, I already know that you’re the girl for me, and we might need to work some things out, but seeing another guy almost touching you snapped something deep inside me that I hadn’t even known was there.”

He held my face in his palms. “I need you. But I need you to be totally honest, even when it’s awkward or horrible.”

I nodded, blinking furiously through my wet eyelashes. He was so handsome, even when he looked so oddly serious.

“Tana, I love you. I’m not letting us go in different directions. Not ever.” He entwined his fingers with mine, holding them tightly between us in front of my heart. “We’re a team now, and I’m not leaving.”

I bit my lip, trying to stop the tear that was trying to spill from my left eye. “I love you too,” I breathed.

Dropping my hands, he held my face between his palms sweetly, kissing me so gently it made my head spin.

“I’ll never keep anything from you again, I promise,” I murmured.

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