Page 95 of Confessions of the Funny Fat Friend

Tyler laughed. “That’s one way to put it.”

“At least I know he likes me,” I teased. Rhett’s comments about putting a ring on my finger had been all in good fun. But despite the fact that Tyler and I had been together just a short while, I hoped that’s where this was heading. It was like Grandma said with Grandpa—she just knew he was the one.

There was a knowing in my heart that this man beside me was meant to be in my life. Not just for a little while, but forever.

Tyler opened the door to the house for me, and we went upstairs to wash up for supper. Since we were eating outside, I changed into a pair of leggings and a sweater so I’d be nice and warm. When I came out of the bathroom, Tyler was still in his jeans and T-shirt, and damn, did he look good.

“Have I ever mentioned how sexy you are with that tattoo peeking out from under your sleeve?” I asked.

He came to me, putting his arms around my waist. “If tattoos turn you on, I’ll get more.”

I laughed, running my arm over the swirling pattern. “I like these just fine.”

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get downstairs.”

As we reached the kitchen, I saw Deidre balancing a big dish of mashed potatoes in her arms. Tyler hurried to get the back door for her, and seeing a few dishes still on the island, I grabbed them to walk them outside.

Deidre smiled at me. “You are so sweet, Hen. You didn’t have to do that.”

“No worries,” I said, setting the gravy and corn on the table. “It all looks so good.”

Jack lowered a platter full of charred steaks to the table. “Wait until you cut into these. Best steak of your life, I promise.”

Tyler chuckled. “One thing I love about my dad is his modesty.”

Jack held up his hand, flashing a greasy spatula. “No harm in confidence—where its due.” He stared at Rhett as he said that last part.

Rhett said, “I don’t know why you’re looking at me.” And everyone laughed.

“So, Hen, tell us about yourself,” Deidre said. “Tyler says you work in property management?”

I nodded. “I’ve been managing an apartment complex in my hometown for about eight years now. I love it.”

“She’s being humble.” Tyler said, “All the renters there love her, and she won over the guys on my crew faster than I’ve ever seen.”

My cheeks warmed at the compliment. “I think coffee and donuts have more to do with that than anything else.”

Deidre smiled between the two of us. “What’s the plan when Tyler moves to his next job? Will you do long distance, or—”

Liv gave Diedre a look. “Mom.”

She lifted her hands. “Sorry, was that off limits? I was just asking.”

Despite the heaters around us, it felt like all the warmth had been sucked out of my bones. The one thing Tyler and I had both been avoiding was staring us in the face. But Tyler squeezed my hand under the table and said, “We’ll figure it out. Right, babe?”

I nodded, giving him a grateful smile. “Right.”

But for the rest of dinner, there was a sinking feeling in my gut. Some things were easier said than done.

57

Tyler

Hen and I didn’t talk much after dinner. Instead, she said she was tired and excused herself up to her room, but she encouraged me to spend time with my family. I stayed up with my siblings for a little while, talking and catching up, but soon I went to join her.

Mom’s question had dampened the whole evening, not that I was mad at her. It was a fair question—one I didn’t have an answer to. I hoped Hen would be up to talk a little bit, but the bedroom lights were off, and her breathing was slow and steady.

So I slipped out of my clothes, down to my underwear, and slid into bed with her, pressing my front to her back and loving the way her curves felt against me. She was so solid, steady, and I couldn’t imagine ever living without her again.

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