Page 82 of Resurrection
My reflection stares back from a mirrored column, looking more nervous than I want it to. I check my Midnight Merlot lipstick for the millionth time, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear and hoping no one I know sees me acting all weird.
Deep in my gut, there’s this fear of being stood up. Again. And a part of me wants to leave first, before he leaves me. But I suppose it’s curiosity that wins. Curiosity and stupid hormones.
Sonia’s on point. I can’t remember when I had sex last. And no, sex isn’t on my mind… Wait, yes, it is. After the office incident, I can’t wipe out the image of Tyler Brady with his bedroom eyes and swollen lips all flustered and looking at me like he needs me in order to breathe. And then that slip-up in the bathtub.
You’re thirty-five years old.
You’re a grown woman.
You have your own business.
Guys like Tyler Brady are a dime a dozen.
This is the pep talk I’ve been giving myself for the past ten minutes while Iwait. But it’s a lie. Guys like Tyler Brady don’t exist. He’s the only one of his kind.
I’m a nervous wreck, and I’m doing the exact thing I said I wouldn’t.
At some point, I convince myself that it's for certain—he’s going to stand me up, and my mind has almost won the battle. I’m ready to leave.
Just then, Ty shows up wearing jeans and a plain black T-shirt, the kind that fits just right in all the important places. He's got his studded leather jacket thrown casually over one shoulder. His ink is on display, and his hair is an artful mess—the kind of look that screamsI just rolled out of bed naturally stunning, even though I've seen those locks enough times to know they don't just grow that way. He must've spent an hour making it seem accidentally perfect. That stupid stud earring is just the cherry on top.
I suck in a breath at how good he looks, trying to act cool when everything inside me is anything but.
He weaves past the slots and stops in front of me. "Hey." His voice is a mix of awkward and hopeful. His gaze drops to my toes and slides up to my face like he’s scanning me, and I can't tell if he’s happy or disappointed.
"I’m sorry, but I didn’t have time to go home and change," I say before he comments further.
"Have you been waiting long?"
Seventeen years."Uh…no. Just a few minutes." For some reason, I think my lipstick is smudged. I see that it’s not when I quickly glance at my reflection, but under Tyler’s scrutinizing gaze, everything feels off.
He nods at the chaos around us. "It's…busy."
We stand there for a beat too long, the air between us crackling with hot static.
"Wanna get a drink before dinner?" Ty finally asks, gesturing to the bar with a tilt of his head.
I bite my lip, thinking of all the times I've seen Adri hanging around here. "I’m not sure that’s a good idea." I glance over my shoulder as if my brother might materialize out of nowhere.
Ty raises an eyebrow, curious. "You hiding from someone?"
I fidget, feeling like an idiot. "Adri's here a lot."
"Ah, got it." Pause. "Wanna drive to Palm Springs?"
I take a breath, forcing myself to say the words. "I got a room."
"A room?" One eyebrow punches up. "I only asked you out to get a meal and talk." He smiles—that crooked grin that always did me in. Still does.
"Well, my brother isn’t exactly fond of you. If he sees us or if someone tells him, I’ll never hear the end of it. Plus, you’ll be in real danger. I need to figure this out myself. Without his involvement. And I’m not comfortable with us being out in public. I’m sure you know why. And most people ignore casino no photo or video rule when see a celeb."
Ty chuckles. "Celebrity status might be pushing it a bit."
"Who said I was talking about you," I huff out.
"Fair enough." He nods, understanding entering his blue eyes. "Sucks to be on the TMZ radar."
I shake my head. "I was kidding, you dummy."
