“I'm just glad it’s all been resolved. I was worried Granddad was going to have a stroke if we didn't get it fixed.”
“We got this. Imagine where we can take this company in the future.”
I smiled and started toward my truck, which was parked across the road.
“When will you be back in town?” he asked.
“I'm coming in for the day on Wednesday. I have grant work that I need to get done before I come back.”
“Okay, see you then.” He waved and disappeared around the corner.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Luke
I heard her truck when it came rumbling down the driveway. I had talked to her briefly last night, but both of us were exhausted and honestly every time I spoke to her Chris came up. I was trying not to be a jealous asshole. I knew she had to work with the guy, but he’d laid down the gauntlet, and I wasn't playing his game.
I watched as she parked the car and opened the door. I didn't want to be that guy, but I pushed open my screen door and waited. I smiled when she looked up and smiled back. She rolled her eyes and pointed toward the phone. I grabbed her bags and carried them in the house.
“Mom, I'm home. Can we talk later? Luke is here, and I haven't seen him for a week.” She took the phone from her ear putting it on speaker. Her mom was talking about everything and nothing at the same time. She walked toward me, wrapped her arms around me, and kissed me softly. I pulled her against my chest and kissed her again.
“I missed you,” I whispered.
“I missed you more.”
“What did you say?” her mom's voice echoed through the room.
“Mom, I really need to go.”
“Oh, I meant to ask how your dinner with
Chris went last night?” I felt her stiffen in my arms and then look up at me. She had dinner with him last night. I stepped out of her arms and walked toward the door.
“Luke, wait!” she said as I pushed open the screen door. “Mom, I have to go. We’ll discuss the mess you created later.” She hit the end button and came after me.
“You didn’t tell me you had dinner with Chris last night? I thought you were going with your mom,” I barked. I wasn't going to do this again.
“I was supposed to have dinner with my mom, and she didn't show. She sent Chris in her place, and I didn't want to be rude.” She stood there, hands on her hips.
“You had dinner with another man...” I walked away and into my house. She followed me.
“Luke, are you being serious right now?”
“Yeah, I guess I am. What if it was me? What if I went to dinner with some chick?”
“Chris and I have known each other forever. It isn't like that and never has been. He's a nice guy, and we work together.”
“If you want to believe he's a nice guy then you’re a better person than I am.”
“What do you mean if I believe? He's never been anything but nice to me. He's worked for my grandfather for years and does a good job, so I don't understand what you mean. You want me to just not to talk to him? Do you want me to be rude to him because you have some competition grudge? I don't understand what you want me to do.”
“I just want you to think about my feelings.”
“Luke, seriously. I like you. Only you. I don't know why you would think otherwise.”
I could see where this was heading. He made a ton more money than me, he was close to where she would live one day, and this was turning into a competition I didn't want. I wasn't going to be cheated on again, and I wasn't going to stand there and let her downplay what had happened.
“I don't think this is a good idea.” I turned toward her. “I think you need to leave.”