Page 56 of Love Off-Limits
“Oh, good grief.”
“Wait, yeah, a second one just came through.Going slow on purpose so they’ll have time to get cozy in the kitchen while they wait.”
“She is completely ridiculous,” I said.
Flint chuckled. “She’s always playing matchmaker for the rest of us. It’s only fair you get your share of the treatment.”
“Trust me. I’ve gotten more than my fair share. We’re not even dating, and Dad just gave Tyler a lecture about sex.”
“Oh, man. That’s rough. If you’re just friends, why are they freaking out so much?”
“I don’t know. Well, I mean, I kind of know. But it’s a long story, and I’m not really in a place where I can tell it right now.” My eyes darted up to Tyler, who was conspicuously focused on the task at hand.
“Are you telling me I’m actually going to have to wait until Mom texts me an update?”
I tsked and sighed into the phone. “I’m afraid so. Just remember to take everything she says and cut the significance down by half.”
“Noted,” Flint said. “Hey, how’s Perry?”
I swallowed the sarcastic remark that first popped into my head. For the most part, Perry was treating me with more deference than was typical. He was a good enough guy to feel badly about my disappointment, regardless of whether or not he actuallywantedto run the farm himself. But I was working myself to death six or seven days a week, being the good little worker bee that Lennox had suggested, and Perry was still lording over his CEO responsibilities like a mob boss sitting on a pile of money. Plus, I couldn’t get him to go on a date withanyone.
“He’s fine,” I said. “Frustrating as ever, but fine.”
“Mom told me what happened with the farm, Liv. It’s okay if you want to swear about it. I promise not to tell Perry.”
“Nope,” I said. “Besides, Perry isn’t the problem. He’s just doing what Dad wants.”
“Right. He’s doing whathesaid Dad wants. But haveyouheard Dad explain why?”
“Flint, Perry wouldn’t lie about this.”
“I don’t think he’s lying. But I do think you should talk to Dad.”
“Well, you’re the first one to think so. Everyone else just keeps saying the timing isn’t right, and I ought to be patient a little longer.”
Flint grumbled. Growing up, he’d always been the one to match me in passion and persistence. It wasn’t surprising his frustrations echoed my own. The only difference was that Flint wouldn’t be afraid to talk to Dad if he were in my shoes. Not like I was.
“Hey, I gotta go,” Flint said suddenly. “They’re calling me on set. Tell Mom I’ll call her later, all right?”
I ended the call and dropped my phone onto the counter with a shake of my head.
Tyler’s lips lifted in a small smile. “I like your family.”
I motioned to the phone. “Could you hear that? Hear him?”
He shrugged. “Most of it. Sorry. I wasn’t trying to overhear. His voice carries.”
I watched as he methodically filled each segment of the tray. He’d nearly finished two full trays in the time I’d been on the phone.
“I want you to know I get it,” he said without looking up. “I know you haven’t told me everything about what’s happened with your dad and the farm. But I think I’ve pieced it together, and...I understand your hesitation to jump into a relationship. Youdoneed to focus. To be present with your dad.” He finally looked up, his eyes warm. “I can’t pretend like I don’t think about kissing you every single time we’re together. But I can do a better job of flirting a little less. And keeping my distance a little more.”
His words were painful. Perfect. But painful.
“What if...” Was I ready for there to be a what-if? “What if I change my mind?” I blurted.
He raised an eyebrow and held my gaze for a long moment. “You asked if you could kiss me once before,” Tyler said, his tone low. He lifted his shoulder in a careful shrug. “Just ask me again.”
My heart jumped into my throat.Kiss me. Right now. Kiss me and let me have your babies.
