Page 14 of Swimming for Seduction

“Can’t you just text me the address and I’ll meet you there?” she asks.

“No can do.” I shake my head. “My family would never forgive me for not picking up my date like a gentleman.”

“Agentlemanwouldn’t have to blackmail himself a date,” she scoffs. “But fine. I’ll be ready at seven.”

I take a step closer and lift my hand to her face before she can spin on her heels and run away from me. I’d expected her to jerk away from my touch, but she closes her eyes and leans into it instead.

“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “If you really don’t want to go, I won’t make you. Especially if it means that you’re going to hate me for it.”

“I can’t hate you, Tyler,” she whispers as she opens her eyes. “I’ve tried.” When I lean forward to kiss her, she pulls back. “I’ll see you Sunday.”

Without another word, she turns and walks the rest of the way to her car and I let her go.

Chapter 12

Ricki

I’m rummaging through my minuscule wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear to this dinner tonight when my phone rings. I had originally planned to wear jeans and one of my nicer flannel shirts over a cami until Tyler informed me that his aunt is getting married tonight. Giving up my search, I flop down in my desk chair to answer my mom’s call.

“Hi, Mom,” I say. “Merry Christmas Eve.”

We chat for a few minutes before she finally gets to the question she’s asked me every time we’ve talked since I came to Thorngrove. “Have you met him, yet?”

“I’m sure I will at the dinner slash wedding I’m going to tonight.” I continue before she can voice her worries. “His fiancé is best friends with the bride’s daughter.”

After assuring her that I’ll be with a friend in case things go sideways, our conversation turns to my non-existent social life. When she mentions her wish for me to start dating, I tell that I’m running late before promising to call her tomorrow. By the time we hang up, I’m mentally exhausted. I love my mom. She’s been the only constant person in my life. But her ideals are so different from mine.

Despite the heartache she endured with my father, she’s a hopeless romantic. Which is why I haven’t mentioned Tyler to her. My feelings for him are complicated enough without her pushing me toward a relationship I’m not sure I want.

By the time Tyler knocks on my door, I’m dressed in a pair of black jeans and a green sweater. I put on light makeup and left my hair hanging in its natural loose waves. Apparently, it’s good enough since his eyes trail up and down my body with appreciation.

“Your chariot awaits, my lady,” Tyler says in a surprisingly good British accent.

I fail to hold back my laugh as he bows at the waist and waves his hand toward the door. As much as I want to hold onto the animosity I’ve been using a security blanket these past few weeks, I’m getting tired of pretending he hasn’t wormed his way into my heart. Especially given how attentive he’s been despite my cold shoulder.

He’s left both text and voice messages, apologizing for his disappearing act Thanksgiving morning. He’s given me as much information as he could about Brady to try to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be when I finally meet him. He’s been to every one of my swim meets, cheering me on before waiting for me outside the locker room to walk me to my car. He even offered tolet me skip the dinner tonight if it meant I’d stop hating him so much.

That last one pulled the first honest remark I’d given him in weeks right out of my mouth. As much as I’ve tried to hate him, I can’t. I know he wants more from me I’m ready to give, but he’s also given me the reassurance that he’ll be there when Iamready. Like he knows it’s just a matter of time before I admit my feelings—to him and myself.

As promised, Tyler doesn’tleave my side when we get to his aunt’s house. He stands with me as we watch the bride and her much younger groom say their vows before leading me to the back yard where they are preparing a huge farm table for the platters of food being carried out. I feel my nerves starting to get to me as we approach the couple, knowing this introduction will be the least painful of the evening.

“Hey, Bobby…” Chelsea says before correcting herself. “Tyler. I’m sorry. You know I’ll never get used to calling you by your first name. The family has called you Bobby since you were born.”

Tyler assures her that he doesn’t mind the family nickname before admitting that he doesn’t want to be compared to his grandfather and fall short.

I’m inclined to agree when she tells him that his grandfather would be proud of him as she pinches his cheek like a toddler.

“Quit it.” Tyler laughs as he swats her hand away. “You’re gonna ruin my rep in front of my friend.”

Now that the focus has turned to me, my destructive defense mechanism of snarky barbs kicks into high gear.

“I’m not your friend,” I scoff and because I don’t want to be the only one under his aunt’s watchful gaze, I out him by declaring how he blackmailed me into being his date in lieu of taking me to jail.

The way Chelsea puts her hands on her hips as she asks what’s going on has Tyler slumping a little beside me before he explains, “This is Ricki, and despite what she just said, I amtryingto be a friend.” He shoots me glare that has me shrinking before turning back to his aunt. “I just wanted to give you a heads up that I’m going to introduce her to Tracey and her friends. When I do, it may cause a scene. She’s been dodging this since she got into town and it’s the whole reason she’s here.”

Knowing that I can’t hide from this when she demands to knowwhy, I push my hair behind my shoulders and stand a little taller when I tell her, “My full name is Erica Hargrove. As in…Brady Hargrove’s little sister.”

“I didn’t know Brady had a sister,” Chelsea says, eyeing a group of people walking our way.

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