Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)(51)

I simply nod. Because telling him that “I’m surviving but not thriving” would only cause him to worry.

“How’s the design firm? Is that fancy designer paying you enough?”

I chuckle, not giving him the full truth. “Yes, Dad. He pays well.”

My family doesn’t know that I have a second job. They believe I moved in with Wren simply because we hit it off this summer and not because she also offered me cheap rent. They have no idea how tight money is or that my car is currently out of commission. I don’t like lying to them, but if they knew the truth, they’d ask why I’m struggling if Tyler Braden Interiors pays well, and there’s no chance I’m giving them any details about my debt.

My dad and I continue to catch up while we eat together over video chat. It’s exactly how I’d want to spend my Saturday night off work. Yes, I’m grateful that I have this opportunity to live my own life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss him. I was right by his side, every day for the past six years.

It’s why I can’t see myself moving farther than Chicago. Even though I’m away from him, at least it’s a drivable distance.

I’m mid-bite when a text drops onto my screen.

Rio: Any chance you’re home and I can bribe you to come over?

“What’s that face for?” my dad asks.

I shake my head, fixing my expression. “Just got a text that took me by surprise.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Yes,” I draw out. “It was Rio.”

“How’s it going with him?”

“I don’t know. We’re trying to be friends.”

“That’s good to hear. You know, I never understood why you two had such a falling-out.”

“Dad.” My tone is flat because he knows as well as I do why we had a “falling-out.” “You, of all people, know how hard those years were. He chose not to be around.”

“Hallie, he didn’t know.”

That truth hangs heavy in the air when I don’t have an argument to return.

It’s silent for a beat before my dad continues. “I know I don’t understand all the details of your relationship, since most of it was kept secret from us, but some big, heavy things were happening in your lives at the time. Things that you shouldn’t have had to navigate at nineteen years old. I hate to think that other people’s decisions are the reason you two lost contact.”

“It wasn’t only because of other people. It was because of us too.”

“Well, you might not want to hear this, but I’ve always liked Rio and I’m glad you two found your way back to each other, even if it is just as friends.”

Another text drops onto the screen, quickly followed by more.



Rio: I’m trying to pick up my game and thought that was better than, “Hey.” Open to any suggestions that’ll earn me a response.

Rio: Maybe you’re working tonight in which case, feel free to ignore me.

Rio: Actually, don’t ignore me. I’m too needy for that.

Rio: If I’m coming off desperate for you to text me back, that’s because I am.



“And she’s holding back a smile, people,” my dad announces.

I roll my eyes. “I gotta go.”

“Tell Rio I said hello. Love you, Hallie girl.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

Exiting the phone call, I find my text messages.



Me: What kind of bribe are we talking about here?

Rio: Offering bribes will get a pretty girl to text me back. Noted.

Me: Stop flirting and tell me what you’re offering, DeLuca.

Rio: Homemade lattes delivered to your doorstep for an entire week if you come over and help me babysit tonight.

Me: You’re babysitting? As in you’re the adult in the situation?

Rio: Right? Four kids, Hal. This seems dangerous. I need you.



I don’t let myself overthink that last sentence too much or recall all the intimate moments in which he had said that to me before.



Rio: Please get over here. You have way more babysitting experience than me.



Though my instincts are screaming at me to tell him to fend for himself, I can’t.

I don’t want to.



Me: Make it a month of latte deliveries and you’ve got yourself a deal.

Rio: Done. Front door is unlocked. Let yourself in.



Yes, I know this is a bad idea. I shouldn’t want anything to do with him, yet for some reason I’m quick to stand from the couch and bolt out the front door before I can come to my senses, before I can overthink the fact that this is going to be our first time spending any real time together outside the parameters of work.

But as soon as I’m outside, I’m stopped in my tracks, frozen on the front porch, because parked right there on the street is a car.

My car.

I didn’t deal with my car today because, frankly, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I wanted a day to relax after a busy work week and pretend I didn’t have responsibilities that needed to be taken care of. I had planned to figure it out tomorrow.

How the hell did someone get into it? I have the one and only key on my key ring.

I pull out my keys to confirm, only to find the ring sans the one for my car. And that’s when I realize. Rio stole my car key while I was sleeping in his truck last night, didn’t he?