Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)(66)

I clearly didn’t think this through. If I had thought that jumping on a plane was a conceivable option, I never would have brought this to Tyler’s attention, because now I have to tell him why I can’t go.

“Tyler, I . . .” I hesitate, looking away. “I can’t do that. I have a second job. I work nights as a bartender, and I can’t afford to miss a shift.”

My eyes swing back to him cautiously, but I can’t read any sort of reaction on his face.

“You can’t afford to miss a shift because you’d get in trouble with your boss, or you can’t afford to miss a shift financially?”

“Financially.”

He nods his head silently, probably coming to the realization that though I may fit his brand with my design eye, I don’t exactly live out the Tyler Braden brand aesthetic when it comes to my personal life.

Wait until he finds out I got my Bachelor of Science in Interior Design degree from taking night courses online.

Hands intertwined, Tyler steeples his fingers under his chin. “I’ll pay you overtime for every hour you’re gone.”

My head rears back in surprise. “Wait. Really? Like even while I’m sleeping?”

He chuckles. “Yes. Even while you’re sleeping.”

I eye him suspiciously. “Are you still trying to make up for setting me up on a date with a married man?”

“Yes,” he says dryly. “Is it working?”

“It’s working great. Keep it up.”

“Find out the travel details and let Tina know.”

“Okay. Wow. Thanks, Tyler. I appreciate it.”

“Hallie,” he says, stopping me before I can make it out the door. “When I first started to try to break into this industry, I didn’t have more than ten dollars to my name. I spent my nights delivering pizza just so I could pay my rent because that’s how badly I wanted all of this.” He sweeps his arms out, as if to say this office, this view, this brand. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed to let people know how hard you’re willing to work to get what you want.”

He’s right about that. I am willing to work hard. I’ve been willing to work hard since I decided to make sacrifices to help my dad. Since I had to drop out of school and figure out how to get an education from home.

I offer him an understanding smile. “Thanks, Tyler.”

I’ve got a major pep in my step as I scurry back to my desk and grab my phone.



Me: All right, you win. Let me know where and when I’m meeting you.



My phone instantly buzzes in my hand, with Rio’s name scrolling across the top.

“Are you being serious?” he asks.

“Were you not?”

“No! I mean, yes, I was being serious. Of course I want you to come meet me on the road, but I was just being a needy asshole.”

“You really were being a needy asshole, but I told my boss you wanted to meet in person, and he was fine to cover the travel expenses.”

He hesitates. “And are you fine? With your work schedule? Please don’t miss shifts on my account.”

“Tyler is paying me overtime to hang out with you, which, by the way, is the only reason I’m willing to do it.”

“Damn. Keep me humble, Hal. I really was going to cave on the whole in-person thing, but I’m glad I didn’t.”

“Hey, Hallie!” someone yells into the phone.

“Sorry, that was Zee,” Rio says.

“Wait. Are you still on the plane?”

“Yeah. Just landed. Sitting on the tarmac and waiting to park.”

“Oh, I’ll let you go.”

“You don’t have to,” he says quietly.

That makes my heart skip in a way it most definitely shouldn’t. But I also feel a bit weird being on the phone with him while he’s with all his teammates. The same ones I serve when they come into the bar. Regardless of what Tyler said, that part still feels a little embarrassing.

“I need to get back to work. Text me when you figure out what day I should meet you and where. And Rio, just so you know, I’m going to be so annoyed with you if this whole thing ends up being the epitome of the phrase, ‘it could’ve been an email.’ ”

“Well, then.” His voice gains a gruff edge. “I’ll be sure to make it worth your time.”





Chapter 19


Rio


I’m the first one on the team bus after our afternoon game against New York. Even though our hotel is only ten blocks away, and the walk could potentially be shorter, it’s team policy to take the bus back.

My knees are bouncing while I wait for the rest of my teammates to finish their showers and postgame interviews because all I want to do is get back to the hotel.

Tonight is the night Hallie flies in to meet me. It’s been about a week and a half since we kissed, and I’ve been impatiently waiting to see her ever since. Wondering if she regrets that night or if, like me, she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about it.

I don’t know what the hell happened or when it all shifted so dramatically. Maybe it was having her in my home for the first time, or when she helped watch my friends’ kids. Or maybe it’s the culmination of the time we’ve been spending together that’s reminded me of how much I missed her. Missed us. But the things I was so angry about only a month or two ago now seem inconsequential and unimportant.