“All right.” With a deep internal sigh, she tried to put that kiss out of her mind and focused on work. It would be a long weekend without him, but soon, Gabriel would be back. Besides, having some space from him might be what she needed to get herself in the right mental state.
Gabriel called her a few hours later while she was on her break to let her know he would be gone for most of the weekend. He was successful in convincing Damon to come—as well as put into place the other part of their plan—and would be flying out that evening after his shift.
Disappointment crept into her as they spoke on the phone, but she tried not to let him hear that. Despite his words this morning, the feeling that this was all happening too soon still bothered her. But she went about her day, heading straight home after her shift and went to bed as she usually did. Gabriel had called while she was in the shower, and she called him back right away but he was probably on his flight so didn’t pick up. However, she was so tired that she fell asleep before she could even wait for him to call back.
She got up early as usual the next day and saw a missed call from him, followed by a message.
Sorry we keep missing each other. Anders is being an asshole about cellphone use. Our “package” is being picked up at one today—last chance to join me here. Smiley face emoji.
Her heart leapt. It was so tempting. But still …
Sorry, I can’t do that to Rosie, she texted back. But why don’t you come over as soon as you get back tomorrow? I’ll whip up a special pie for you.
He was probably still sleeping, so she didn’t wait for a reply from him, and instead, got ready for work. She went through her morning routine at work as she usually did, though she couldn’t help but feel like something was off. Missing even. Oh, it was so tempting to check her phone, but her morning was extra busy, seeing that it was Saturday which meant she had to make more than the usual amount of pies. It was mid-morning, and the dining room was already packed by the time she was able to stop for a quick break and grab her phone.
Special pie, huh? Tongue-licking emoji. I’ll be back by six and head straight back to your place. I’ll bring my appetite.
Oh God. Heat shot straight to her core as memories of the other night rushed to her brain. Gabriel’s mouth on her … his blue eyes burning like fire as he looked up at her from between her thighs … that orgasm that shattered her body. What the hell am I supposed to reply to that? Maybe something flirty? Or ignore—
“Temperance?” came Rosie’s voice as she peeked into the employee’s break room.
“Hey, Rosie.” Temperance quickly put her phone back into her purse. “Sorry, I was just taking a break.” Hopefully Rosie wouldn’t notice how red her cheeks were. “I’ll get back—”
“It’s not that, you know you can take your break when you need to.” Her red-painted lips pursed together. “You have a visitor.”
“Visitor?” Who the heck would come to her work? She didn’t know anyone else in town except Rosie, the employees, and Gabriel.
“Yeah. Says he’s from Chicago. Wouldn’t give me his name.” Rosie looked annoyed. “Kept pestering Bridgette until she gave in and confirmed you worked here.”
Chicago? “I’m sorry, Rosie. Let me take care of it.”
She followed Rosie to the dining room. Every table was full, so she wasn’t sure where her “visitor” was seated, but Rosie cocked her head toward the two-top in the middle of the room. A dark-haired man sat with his back to her, chatting with an uncomfortable-looking Bridgette, who was obviously trying to get away, but at the same time, being polite.
Oh no.
She didn’t even have to see the man’s face to know who it was. If anything, that pit growing in her stomach told her the identity of her visitor. “I’ll take care of this, Rosie,” she said as she walked stiffly toward him. “What do you want, Tony?”
Her ex turned his head toward her. Slowly, that flirty expression on his face turned into a cruel smile. “Well, look who it is.” Whipping back toward Bridgette, he snapped his fingers at her. “Get me another apple pie, will you, sweetheart?”
She ground her teeth together and sent an apologetic look to Bridgette. “He’s not staying. You don’t have to get him anything,” she said, surprised at her own courage. As soon as the young woman was out of earshot, she turned back to Tony. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?” When she left Chicago, she didn’t tell anyone where she was going. Only Stacy knew, but she doubted her old boss would have told him. She had hated Tony from the beginning, even before the breakup.
“Baby, you just left without saying goodbye.” He mockingly put his hand over his heart. “I was so hurt.”
“Really? Didn’t that skank I found you in bed with soothe your broken heart?”
“You clearly misunderstood the situation. It’s not what you think.”
“Not what I think?” He was joking right? She’d seen the evidence with her own eyes. But this was classic Tony. He would deny, deny, deny, and even when there was evidence against him, he would say it was still her fault. God, I was such an idiot. “I don’t have time for this. What do you want, Tony? Is it money? I already paid the landlord the rest of the month, even though I left early. You had plenty of time to move out or sign a new contract.”
“Baby, that’s not why I came,” he said sheepishly. “You just left …
