A million snide remarks sat at the ready, but he’d shown up to help. What kind of dick would I have been to shove all his imperfections in his face right now?
Gino moved closer, like he intended to hug her—or worse, kiss her. I tensed, my blood simmering.
“Down, boy,” my father said under his breath. “He’s just saying goodbye.”
“Forever, I hope.”
“Definitely forever,” my father concurred.
36
GISELLE
The stars somehow shone brighter as Thayer and I lay on a blanket in the bed of his truck staring up at them. He’d taken me to a deserted spot, where street lights didn’t obstruct the view, and it was exquisite. He held my hand between us, and even though it was cold outside, I could’ve stayed out there all night with him.
Thayer’s phone vibrated. He lifted it to find Masie’s name lighting up the screen. He quickly sent the call to voicemail before setting his phone down again.
I tried to quell the jealousy swirling in my stomach. He’d sent the call to voicemail. It wasn’t like he’d hurried off to answer it. Besides, he was there with me.
“Do you know what you’re gonna pack for Switzerland?” he asked, smoothly trying to distract me from the phone call he’d ignored.
“Warm clothes,” I said, letting my head fall to the side to look at him.
He chuckled. “Yeah, it’s gonna be cold, for sure. But not at night.”
I groaned, my eyes averting his. “Seriously?”
“What? That wasn’t smooth?”
“Not even a little.”
His phone vibrated again, and he checked it. When he saw it was Masie again, he silenced it and placed it back down.
“You can answer it,” I said.
“I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“I think she still likes you.”
He smirked, his eyes meeting mine. “I’m definitely a tough one to get over. Lucky for you, that’s not something you’ll ever have to endure.”
His phone vibrated again.
“Please answer it. Even I’m starting to get curious,” I said.
He sat up, and I followed, eager to know what warranted three calls in the span of five minutes. He lifted the phone to his ear. “Hey, Masie…yeah, sorry about that…I’m still with her…I’m not sure…” His eyes cut to mine, and indecision was written there. “I’ll have to ask her…Let me get back to you.” With that, he ended the call.
“So?” I probed.
“So…that call was actually about you,” he said.
“Me?”
He nodded.
“What about me?”
“Masie’s an influencer.”