“We’ll save the wining and dining for our first official date,” Tyler chimes in, flicking his eyes to mine with a devilish look. He knows exactly what he’s doing, hoping to get a reaction from me in front of everyone. Over the past two weeks, I’ve noticed he enjoys doing that. Tyler tests me during every conversation we have, and I don’t know if it’s because he enjoys the chase or he loves to watch me squirm. Either way, it grates on my last nerve.
“Ah, that’s my boy.” My dad chuckles.
“Where’s Robert?” Tyler asks smugly.
“He’s working.” I glare at him.
“Must suck that he works so much.” The corner of his lips perks up. “You sure he’ll make it tonight?”
“Yes. He’ll be there.”
“Great. Looking forward to it.” Tyler smirks, then turns to Katie. “I have to run, but I’ll see you later.”
“Yep, can’t wait.” She beams.
Tyler waves to everyone as he walks toward the open door, and when I glance over my shoulder at him, he flashes me a wink, then chuckles.
Asshole.
“Hey.” Katie pulls me aside. “Everything okay?”
I tilt my head and furrow my brows. “Yeah, why?”
“You seem off. I just want to make sure this date won’t be too much or awkward with Robert and Tyler together.”
Too much is the understatement of the century.
“It’ll be totally fine. You two will be chatting mostly anyway, and Robert and I will shoot pool or play darts to give y’all some privacy.” I smile wide, hoping to convince her, though I genuinely want her to have a good time.
“Okay, because it’s not too late to cancel if you’ve changed your mind. I just thought with your history and everything—”
“Katie.” I suck in a breath. “I’m engaged to Robert. Tyler and I dated years ago for three months. It’s ancient history at this point.”
“Alright, as long as you’re not uncomfortable because I could see myself liking him after we get to know each other a little better.”
My jaw nearly snaps off as my heart pounds rapidly in my chest. “Really?”
“Well, based on what I’ve seen or know about him. I wouldn’t normally introduce a man to Owen so soon, but the moment Tyler started talking about football, Owen lit up.”
“Then I hope it works out, Katie. Honestly. Tyler’s a nice guy.”
The moment Robert and I walk into the pub, I immediately need a drink. Tyler and Katie are already in a booth with theirs. We’re only a few minutes late, but it looks like they’ve been here a while.
“Hey,” I greet when we walk up.
“Hey!” Katie stands and wraps her arms around me. “We were just talking about you.”
“Hopefully all good,” I tease, unable to look at Tyler.
“Of course. It’s always good,” Tyler says, and when I glance at him, I instantly regret it. His brown eyes are warm and inviting, and I hate that they send chills down my body.
“Pinot Noir, darling?” Robert grasps my shoulders and squeezes lightly.
Though Tyler isn’t watching us, I see him tighten his grip on the neck of his beer and grin at the wine Robert suggested. Wine won’t get me drunk enough to get through this night, getting sick tomorrow be damned.
“No, I’d like a Jack and Coke and four shots of vodka to get this night started!”
Robert tilts his head, studying me, and I give him a sweet smile. “It’s been a long week.”
“Of course, sweetheart. Be right back.” He presses his lips to my cheek, and I smile before he walks off.
“Here, I’ll sit next to Tyler so you and Robert can sit together.” Katie moves and scoots close to him. He rests his arm on the back of the booth, and she happily notices.
Those drinks need to get here stat.
Katie and Tyler continue chatting while I wait for Robert to return. They talk about high school and his time in the military. It’s not hard to eavesdrop, but as soon as Robert sits down next to me with our drinks, they stop.
“Shots!” I say, passing around the vodka. The four of us take them, and I slam my glass on the table before grabbing my Jack and Coke.
“Whoa.” Katie chuckles. “Save room for the margaritas.”
“Oh, you know I will.” I wink.
After a while, Robert and I excuse ourselves to play a round of pool. When we first started dating, he taught me all the rules and always kicks my ass. Tonight, I don’t care about winning, I just want to let loose.
“You’re actually getting better,” he teases.
“Or maybe you’re getting worse?” I mock.
“I highly doubt that.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his chest.
“You could be a gentleman and let me win once in a while.” I smile up at him, the alcohol streaming through my veins, and cup his face. Our lips crash together roughly, but before things get too heated, he puts space between us.
“Gemma, we’re in public in a bar,” he hisses and releases me, then walks around the pool table to call his shot. He doesn’t like PDA because it’s not “professional,” but why can’t he relax for just one night? It’s not like I’m some random chick. I’m his fiancée.
Needing a refill, I head to the bar and order two strawberry margaritas, then bring one back to Katie, who’s laughing at something Tyler said. She thanks me, then I return to Robert and grab my pool stick.
Fuck it. I’m bored and don’t care about this game and purposely sink his ball into the pocket. “Whoopsies.” I shrug, then take down a quarter of my drink, wanting it to take hold quicker.
“Good thing you excel at other things,” Robert says, then takes his turn until he clears the table. His tone isn’t harsh but rather condescending.
Robert continues drinking Grey Goose and Perrier as I sip my margarita. Once our game is over, we go back to the booth and catch up with Katie and Tyler.
“We were just gonna play a round of darts,” Katie tells me as she stands. “Should we play teams?”
I bite down on my lower lip and hesitate before Robert answers. “I’m in. But darling, maybe you should sit this one out?”
Turning, I look at Robert and see he’s serious. What the hell? “I’m fine. I think I can throw a dart.”
He shrugs casually. “Alright, let’s play then.”
We grab the darts and set our drinks on a high top table. Katie goes first, and I watch Tyler stand close to her, whispering in her ear and giving her pointers. She does as he says and throws a bull’s-eye on the first try.
Her arms go up, and she squeals, then Tyler gives her a high-five. I go next and line up my shot with Robert on my right and Tyler on my left. Either the alcohol is hitting me harder or I’m imagining things, but the air is so tense I can almost feel the thickness against my hand as I throw the dart.
I don’t hit the center, but I don’t miss either, so I call that a win. I throw two more, then move so Tyler can take his turn. As we pass, his arm brushes mine. When he’s in place, he glances over at me, smirking.
Tyler narrows in on the target and hits the inner circle perfectly with his second dart. Katie squeals, and they give each other a hug. As he prepares to throw his third, Robert clears his throat and steps closer. “So Tyler. What’d you do to get yourself five years in prison?”