The Flip Side of Wait for Me

would mom and dad say?”
“Mom knows. I told her.”
“Fuck.” Jeff ran a hand through his hair.
“Hilary, I can’t believe you lied. You know how important this is to me.” Nash shook his head. How had he even thought she was transparent? She’d tricked him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “I shouldn’t have omitted it, but I wanted Jeff to see how hard you worked. He wouldn’t have given you a chance otherwise.”
“Fuck that, Hilary. You knew my timetable. I don’t have time to be jerked around.”
“I know,” Hilary whispered.
Nash looked at Jeff and stuck his hand out. “I’m sorry that Hilary felt the need to lie about my past. I had no intention of her doing that.”
Jeff grabbed his hand and shook it.
“I understand your position on this and respect it. You’re a good guy.” Nash’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Hilary. “I’ll find someone else to help me with my job hunt. You’ve screwed it up twice now. I don’t give third chances.”
Damn it. How could he have fallen for someone so completely that he had been blind to everything? He’d never trusted anyone that wholeheartedly before. Never again.
That night, Nash smashed out a cigarette on the post of his front porch and answered his cellphone. “Yes?”
His mouth tasted like shit. Fucking cigarettes. Nash would have preferred to drink a beer or some whiskey to block out the image of Hilary stabbing him in the back, but he couldn’t afford to get caught drinking.
“Nash, this is Jeff.”
“Yeah?” Nash coughed as he walked into the house and tossed the nearly full package into the trashcan. Talking to Hilary’s brother was about as high up on his list of things to do as prepping for a colonoscopy.
“Listen, I’m sorry I yelled at you. I should have checked with Hilary before I started reaming your ass.”
“Hey, it wasn’t your fault. I should have made it clear the first day I started.”
“What the fuck were you supposed to do? Walk up to me, stick out your hand, and say I’m a felon? You’d sound like a dumbass.”
Nash chuckled and then sobered. Fuck. He didn’t want to laugh. “Well, thanks for the job anyway. I appreciated it while it lasted.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Nash looked out of his living room window and frowned. “Did I forget something?”
“Yeah, you left early.”
“You told me to go.”
“Well, I was stupid. What can I say? Maybe I need to revamp my rule. You’re a hard worker, and you do a great job. I would like it if you stayed on.”
“Really?”
He watched the dog across the street chasing a squirrel. The squirrel zipped up a tree. There was a metaphor for his life – always chasing something that he couldn’t have.
“Yes. I’m serious.”
Nash paused.
“My sister really put herself out there for you. I know you’re pissed right now, but just know she’s a champion for the underdog and has a heart of gold.”
Nash’s stomach churned. “I’ll come back on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“We don’t talk about your sister.”
“Fine. Done deal.”
“Thanks, Jeff.” Nash ran a hand through his hair after he hung up with Jeff. It was time to be serious about his future and stop fucking it up.

Chapter Six
One month later, Nash put his truck in park and glared at his sister, Suzanne, as she finished putting on her make-up. “You look fine.”
Suzanne tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Give me a second.”
“Fucking women,” Nash muttered as he scanned the crowd at the open house. He’d thought about not coming because he was afraid that he’d run into Hilary at her brother’s open house. However, he’d also dreaded the thought of never seeing her again.
Jeff had kept his word and had not mentioned Hilary one time over the last thirty days. And it had been driving him crazy. He wanted to know how Hilary was doing. If she missed him. If she was seeing someone else.
Nash knew he deserved it if she’d found someone else. He’d acted like an ass the last time he’d seen her and had been too big of a coward to do anything but leave her a pathetic voicemail after hours on her work phone.
What if she hated him? It was easier to pretend he still had a chance with her rather than face the reality of it being over.
Suzanne looked at him. “So, where’s this girl and her amazing brother?”
“What girl?”
“Don’t be a dumbass. You wouldn’t invite me out to a construction site to look at some nails you hammered in if you didn’t need me for backup.”
“Asshole.”
Suzanne smiled. “Let’s go get the girl.”
“She probably isn’t here.” Nash looked back out the window. His mouth dried as he saw her standing next to Jeff. “That’s her.” He pointed to the two of them.
“Oh, she’s adorable.” Suzanne fanned herself. “Is that her brother? Your boss?”
“Yes.”
“He’s fucking hot.”
“Suzanne?”
“What?”
“Stop it.”
“Whatever.” Suzanne opened the door and jumped out. “Stop being a pussy. Let’s go.”
Nash cursed under his breath as he got out and slammed his truck door shut. Why had he brought his sister with him? At the time, he’d thought it was a good idea, but now he regretted his decision.
As he and Suzanne walked across the road, Nash stopped. From the yard of the open house, he saw Hilary hug Jeff, and then turn to walk toward her car. Shit. Was she leaving because he’d showed up?
“Oh no, you don’t.” Suzanne grabbed his hand and dragged him behind her. “Don’t be a baby. She’s probably jealous that you brought some hot babe with you.”
“You think?” Nash’s heart skipped a beat. God, he hoped that was the case.
“Of course. Men are so stupid sometimes.”
“You’re not wrong about that. Hurry up.”
They neared Hilary as her hand clutched the door handle. Nash hoped that it wasn’t too late. If she was jealous of him being with another woman, surely, he still had a chance. “Hilary?”
Hilary slipped on her dark sunglasses and faced them. “Hi.”
Nash dragged Suzanne behind him.
“Nash, slow