Garrett grabbed a piece of the roast this time. “You guys are cute together.”
“We’ll meet him in public, ask a few questions and that’s it. Public is better because I’m less likely to strangle him.” Wren threw up his hands as if he’d solved every issue and there was no more need to talk. “Done.”
She thought about stabbing him with a fork. “Why do I think it won’t be that easy?”
“Because you’ve spent time with Wren,” Garrett mumbled under his breath. “He’s known for being difficult.”
Wren moved the platter away from Garrett. “Anything else?”
“That’s it.” Garrett looked over the table and to the roast, as if willing it to come back to him. “Unless you want to invite me to dinner.”
“Of course,” she agreed, and jumped up to find him a plate. She figured that was easier than listening to Wren say no and watching Garrett look sad. She also needed a diversion, a reason not to think about Tyler and what all of this meant. “While we eat you can tell me all about Wren before he was Wren or Brian or whatever other name he went by other than Levi Upton.”
“She even knows you changed your name?”
Wren nodded. “And some other stuff.”
“But not all, so we should eat.” She put a plate in front of Garrett. “That way you can tell me the interesting parts he left out.”
“Emery.”
She ignored Wren’s disapproving tone and smiled at Garrett. “Make sure to chew before you start gossiping.”
Garrett smiled. “I like her.”
Wren didn’t look as thrilled. “I usually do.”
“You will again.” She shoved the platter in Garrett’s general direction. “Now, talk.”
“Did Wren tell you he also told Rick his real name?” Garrett asked. “Well, that he was Wren. I can’t remember if Rick knows the Levi part.”
“You did?” That stunned her. She’d been so careful not to tell anyone. “Why?”
Wren smoothed his napkin but didn’t look up. “Because you asked me to.”
She almost choked. “What?”
He waved the words away, looking completely uncomfortable while he did it. “You said something about us having a relationship and you not wanting to worry about messing up and divulging it.”
She remembered most of that conversation, but that’s not what had her heart melting into a giant puddle of goo. “That’s really why? Because of me?”
He looked at her then. “Isn’t that good enough?”
“It is.” More than that, it was perfect.
Garrett grabbed his fork. “Now, let me tell you some stories.”
CHAPTER 27
Wren watched the scene unfold from the counter of The Beanery, standing there among the bags of beans for sale. He’d ordered a cup of coffee and waited off to the side, out of clear view of the table but where he could still see Emery. When Tyler came in, looking disheveled, face drawn, he headed right for her. His laser focus allowed Wren to move in. Step right up behind the guy and listen in.
Tyler flopped down in the chair across from Emery. “I’m not used to being summoned.”
“That seems like an overreaction since I asked you to join me for coffee.” She slid a cup over to Tyler.
He didn’t reach for it. He folded his arms in front of him and slipped down in the chair. “It didn’t sound that way.”
Looked like Tyler had the angry-young-man vibe down today. He spoke in a clipped tone and his body language suggested he did not want to be there. Wren knew when she called him earlier and asked to meet him that Tyler wanted to come to her house. To talk in private. Wren nearly grabbed the phone from her and threatened the guy, but Emery handled it like she handled everything. With more grace than Wren had at his disposal.
She was in total control of the meeting, too. At eleven on a weekday, the place still buzzed with customers. Most came in, got their coffee and left. A few sat scattered around nearby tables. None within easy earshot.
She cradled her to-go cup in her hands. Rolled it between her palms. The rest of her stayed still, which was not usual for her. Even in a calm situation she was a bundle of nerves and energy. Always moving. Now she waited. Looked Tyler up and down as concern moved into her eyes.
Yeah, that was enough of that.
“We need to talk. All of us.” Wren pulled out a chair and joined them. Ignored Emery’s scowl because he had warned her he’d be joining them rather than just looming behind them. This should not be a surprise. It wasn’t his fault if she thought he meant he’d step in after she got some answers from Tyler.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Tyler didn’t even look at Wren, but he did raise his voice. Stayed just this side of a yell, but was loud enough to have a few heads turning.
Even though Tyler’s demeanor didn’t match the furious tone, it didn’t matter. Wren was not a fan of yelling. “Keep your voice down.”
“Why?”
He leaned in, hoping to make his position perfectly clear. “Because I am looking for any excuse to punch you.”