Irritated, I tuck my phone in the back pocket of my jeans. “Abigail is beautiful. You know this already. You’ve met her before.”
He motions to his face. “Nah, she did something. Makeup maybe? Her hair? That dress? I don’t know, but she went from a seven to a solid ten.”
“She doesn’t need makeup. She’s always been a ten.”
Did she look extra hot tonight? Yes. Will I be the douchebag who slobbers all over her because she had a makeover? No.
“Ah-ha!” Snapping his fingers in my face, he bounces on his toes. “I knew you had a thing for her.”
I can admit I was irritated to see her in the arms of another man, but she wants the happily ever after, and I’ll never be that for anyone. “Have you considered that it’s possible to find someone attractive without acting on it?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Never mind.”
He smirks. “Just admit that you want to do her, and I’ll shut up.”
“Jinxy, she’s my employee. She makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my daughter and teaches her the alphabet. I will not ‘do’ her. Look, I’ll see you on Monday. You’re not driving, right?”
“Nope. I’ll take an Uber.”
“And the girls will be okay?”
“I’ll bring them home with me.” He pauses, his brows lifting. “You okay if Cricket comes to my house? Maybe sleeps in my bed with me and Velva?”
I bark out a laugh and smack him on the back. “As long as that’s where she wants to be.”
I say goodbye to our dates, book it through the rain across the parking lot, and jump into my car. I reach down into my gym bag and pull out a towel to wipe my face.
As I drive home, I replay tonight. I tried to have fun with Cricket. I smiled and talked to her. Asked her to dance. But everything was forced because I didn’t wanna be there.
After Jinxy told me Abby was there too, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She looked like she was enjoying her night, so I didn’t want to interrupt.
And yes, she looked stunning. Like an amplified version of herself. So poised and beautiful. Like someone had flipped on a switch inside of her and made her beam.
It must’ve been her date. Lucky bastard.
I couldn’t take my eyes off them while they were dancing. Although, now that I think about it, she danced with a different guy than the one at the table. He looked like one of the firefighters who hit on her in front of my house.
My heart sinks.
Damn. I bet it was that guy who called her.
I shake my head at myself. This is what I wanted, right? To keep distance between me and Abby?
Then why am I so pissed about it?
By the time I reach my neighborhood, my hands ache from gripping the steering wheel. The rain hasn’t let up, and water rushes down the side of the street to collect at the drainage grates. Since I moved here, it’s never rained this hard.
I pull into my driveway, relieved to see the lights on next door. I’m hoping the girls got back okay, but just in case, I send Abby a text.
Me: You make it back okay? The weather is terrible.
I don’t let myself consider the possibility that maybe she went home with the firefighter. That’s none of my business. Frankly, if she’s seeing someone, that would be better for our situation.
Then I wouldn’t feel so fucking tempted.
After I lock my car, I race up to the house. The wind is blowing so hard it nearly slams the door against the wall when I open it, but I catch the handle at the last minute.
