“Yeah,” Tanner agreed, dumping the last mop bucket down the drain, “You should get some rest, we all know you’ll be back here at dawn for another long day.”
I grinned, with a slight shrug, caught in his suspicion as we headed toward the front door as a group. “There’s no way I would have gotten this much done without the two of you here beside me.” I locked the front door and then awkwardly turned to them, feeling very unsteady under their intense stares. “Again, thank you. Both.”
“Don’t mention it,” Rhea put her hands in her jean pockets, “Do you need a ride home?” She asked, glancing at the empty parking spaces on the street.
Her jeep was parked next to Tanner’s big truck, the only two left at the late hour.
“Uh—” I chuckled, scratching my forehead, embarrassed.
“I got her.” Tanner replied for me with a nod toward his truck. “I know the way.”
Rhea snorted slightly with an eye-roll. “Maple Street isn’t that hard to find.”
My stomach flipped with butterflies as she named the street I lived on without me ever telling her.
But more so from the little tug of war they were having about driving me home. “It’s okay—” I tried, breaking the stare-off between them. “I can get home on my own.”
Tanner scowled down at me, and I knew instantly that he would not back down on it. “I’m taking you home.”
I smiled gently at Rhea, and she rolled her eyes with a smirk, muttering under her breath. “Caveman.”
I giggled, the noise bubbling up out of nowhere, and Tanner’s scowl deepened as he stared at me, which made the giggles build bigger until I was clutching my sides, laughing my head off, with tears welling in my eyes. “I’m sorry.” I shook my head and covered my face. “I think I’m delusional from all the physical labor.”
“Let’s get you home.” Tanner said with a relaxed smile as he led the way to his truck. “Before you really lose it and do something like snort.”
“Probably for the best.” I said and then paused at the curb as Rhea got into her jeep and rolled the window down. “Thanks for your help today.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow.” She said with a wink, glancing over at Tanner as she started the engine. “See you then.”
“Bye.” I gave her a little wave and then jumped up, and I mean all the way up, into his massive truck and chanced a look at him. “I’m sorry for laughing at you.”
He grinned, all pretense of his discontent gone as he shut the door and leaned on the open window frame, resting his forearms on it. “Tell me something, Goldie.” He said, my body nearly broke out in hives from the intensity of his gaze and the pressure those words put on my shoulders.
“That sounds ominous.” I whispered, tilting my head to the side.
“Did I ever have a chance with you?” He asked softly, “At all?”
My heart stuttered, “What?”
“I’ve liked you for a long time,” His eyes met mine, steady and searching. “Since the day you hung up that sign on your front door, telling the world you were putting down roots here. But you were building something special, and I could see that. I didn’t want to get in the way, I figured you needed your space to make your dream happen. So, I waited.”
My throat tightened, “What changed?”
He chuckled softly and blew out a breath, “It seems like the whole damn town is lining up, trying to get your attention. And now I’m worried that I waited too long.”
“I don’t understand,” I looked down at my hands, then forced myself to meet his stare.
“Rhea.” He replied firmly, “She’s interested, and I’m not sure if you have any feelings back for her, or someone else, but I need to know if I’m stepping in the way of something you want, by shooting my shot.”
“I’m bisexual.” I admitted, nerves fluttering under my skin. “I don’t know if I’ve ever said that out loud here, but I love,love. Gender—it doesn’t matter. It’s about the person. I love people for who they are, notwhatthey are.” I forced myself to keep talking even though I was about to puke from how nervous it was making me. “And you’re not too late, I am interested in you too, Tanner.”
“And Rhea?” He asked pointedly.
I snorted with a chuckle. “I’m drawn to her, but I don’t think it’s mutual. I think you’re wrong there.”
He smiled, slow and easy. “You really don’t see yourself the way everyone else does, do you?”
I didn’t reply right away as he walked around the truck to his side and got in, and then he was driving down the street toward my house, so I let it be.