“Uh…” His gaze trapped mine, before he said, “I don’t want to intrude.”
“It’s fine,” I said, sliding over.“Join us.”
Taz raised an eyebrow.“You sure?”
“Of course.”I knew we’d be running into each other often, and I didn’t want things to be weird when we did.At least that’s what I was telling myself when he slid in so close I caught an intoxicating whiff of his spicy cologne.
The waitress was back in record time when she spotted Taz.“I just have to tell you,” the pretty brunette said to him.“You, are like, my new favorite artist.I’m totally in love…” She blushed.“With your music.”
His smile was slow and easy, the pantie-melting kind that made me want to smack him.
“I appreciate that.”His gaze travelled to the name tag pinned to her chest.“Celia.”
Her smile was so big it looked like her face might crack.“I hate to ask this.”She looked around quickly.“But, um, I don’t see my boss around right now, and my friends are never going to believe I actually got to meet you.Could I trouble you for a selfie?”
I rolled my eyes at Jay, who was grinning, as Taz slid out of the booth.
“Sure thing.”
She slipped her phone out of the pocket of the black apron tied around her waist and thrust it at me.“Would you mind?”
I could be a petty bitch and tell her to get lost, but that would let Taz know the jealousy was eating me up, and I refused to give him the satisfaction.
“Of course,” I said, smiling sweetly at her.“It would be my pleasure.”
Taz’s smile was strained when he put his arm around her and she leaned in closer than necessary, resting her hand on his stomach.
I tapped the screen, without checking the quality of the photo I’d snapped, and handed it back to her, faking a smile when she thanked me profusely.
She grabbed Taz’s arm before he could slide back into the booth.“Um, I heard you mention that you just broke up with someone.Maybe, if you want to hang around until my shift ends, we could get a drink or something?”
Taz didn’t even hesitate before he said, “Thanks, but I don’t think so.Those wounds are still a little too raw, if you know what I mean.”
She blushed before darting a glance at me.“Oh, sure.Let me know… when you’re ready.”
Jay chuckled as Taz slid into the booth next to me.“Well, that was awkward.”
“God, I’m sorry about that,” Taz said, rubbing his beard as he avoided eye contact with me.
“I’m just going to use the rest room and call Victoria, guys,” Jay said, sliding out of the booth.“I’ll be right back.”
“If you want me to leave, just say the word,” Taz said, when Jay was out of earshot.“I didn’t mean to crash your dinner or?—”
“Or make me jealous with that waitress?”I downed the rest of my wine, scowling at my half-eaten salad.“Well you did, on both counts.”
Resting his arm along the back of the bench seat, his voice was low as his eyes drifted to my lips, “You wouldn’t have been jealous if you didn’t care.”
“Of course, I care,” I snapped.“Which only makes me hate you more.I don’t want to care.I want you to leave me alone, so I can pretend I don’t care.”
His smile was sad when he said, “I tried like hell to leave you alone.Turns out I can’t.”
Jay returned, with his wallet in hand.“Guys, I’m sorry to have to do this, but I just called Victoria and it seems little Ava has come down with a fever, so I have to swing by the drugstore on the way home and pick up some meds for her.”
“Oh no,” I said.“I hope she’ll be okay.”
“Yeah, I’m sure she will be.”He tossed a few bills on the table, even after Taz tried to wave him off.“I’ll touch base with you in a few days and we can re-schedule, Grace?”
“I’d love to.”
