Because what the hell do I know about falling for someone? The closest thing to love I’ve seen is business arrangements dressed up in diamond rings and prenups. But Tara... she makes everything brighter just by existing.
Makes me want to try, even though I have no fucking clue what I’m doing.
“Alfie?” She looks concerned. “You okay?”
I swallow hard and look away from her. Mumbling that I’m going to pay.
This is dangerous.Sheis dangerous, with her sunshine smile and endless energy and the way she makes me want to forget every rule I’ve made about keeping people at a distance.Especially her.
We load the paint cans into my car.
“That was fun,” she says as we drive. “Good practice.”
I grunt in response.
“Though next time,” she continues, “we shouldprobably practice more couple-y things. Hand holding, casual touches... you know, make it look natural.”
Images flash through my mind - my hands in her hair, on her skin, making her gasp my name... “Yeah.” My voice comes out strained. “Natural.”
She glances at me, something wicked in her expression. “You okay there, Spencer? You seem tense.”
“Fine.” I adjust my grip on the steering wheel. “Just thinking about the mural.”
“Mm-hm.” She stretches, completely unnecessarily, making her t-shirt ride up. “The mural. Right.”
When we get back to campus, she gathers the supplies, then pauses at the car door.
“Thanks for playing along.” She leans over and presses a kiss to my cheek, lingering just long enough to make my blood burn. “You’re better at this than you think. Your family will be fooled.”
Then she’s gone, leaving me sitting in my car with an uncomfortable hard-on.
Happy-fucking-Friday.
13
TARA
“Okay, but seriously,” Becky says, deftly garnishing three martinis at once, “how do you already have regulars? You’ve been here like five minutes.”
I shrug, trying to match her efficiency as I prep my own drinks. Truthfully, I love talking to customers. It’s nice having conversations where nobody knows who I am and I just like speaking to new people.
“Maybe they feel sorry for the new girl? Also, I’ve been here a week and worked my ass off.”
“Please.” She bumps my hip with hers. “It’s because you actually listen to their stories. Most of us just nod and smile, but you remembered that Mr. Henderson’s daughter just started medical school.”
“It’s called being nosy.” I grin, sliding the finished cocktails across to a waiting server.
Becky wipes down our station, her dark curls escaping from her perfectly styled bun. “Well, whatever it is, keep it up. Tips have been insane since you started.”
“James said that’s normal though,” I say, arranginggarnishes. “People always tip the new girl better.” James has been great actually—the first person in a while to treat me like a capable adult instead of some kid playing dress-up. He lets me handle the difficult customers, trusts me to close up, actually values my input on things.
“Mm-hm.” She glances around before leaning closer. “Listen, I’m your friend now right, so let me give you some advice? James is... well, he takes a special interest in training new girls. Just... be careful, okay?” The crease between her brows deepens.
My stomach drops. Not this again. It’s like high school all over again, when Troy scared off any guy who looked at me twice. Or freshman year, when my parents kept “suggesting” I stay in the dorms another year for “community”, even though Alex and I had already signed onto a lease. Everyone always thinks they know better than me, like I’m some naive kid who can’t read people or situations. Just like Mom and Troy thinking I couldn’t handle knowing about Dad. But I’m not that sheltered little girl anymore.
“Really? He seems great,” I say, the words coming out more defensive than intended. “He’s gone out of his way to help me settle in.”
Something flashes in Becky’s eyes—that look I know too well. The one that says ‘Oh honey, you just don’t understand.’ I’ve seen it on my mother’s face, on Troy’s, on every person who thinks they need to save me from myself.
