Page 54 of Easy On Me

The restaurant was only a couple of blocks away, so I arrived before Maggie. Cars already crowded the lot, and I pulled into a spot a good ways away from the door. Sucking in a breath, I flipped down the visor and stared at myself in the mirror, cataloging the tight lines around my eyes and mouth, corners turned down unhappily. I recognized the blank expression in my eyes, too. I’d seen that look every time I’d had to move on from a placement that was decent, my things in a trashbag. Every time my life stabilized, then fell apart around me all over again. Nothing new in this at all.

White paint flashed at the side entrance, and I sagged, relief coursing through me at the sight of Maggie’s Explorer. Maggie would listen to me, let me pour out all the poison burbling to the surface, help me process before I had to tell Mama Nancy we were over before we’d even started.

She’d be on my side, though. I could trust her to have my back, too.

I swung out of the car as she hustled toward me, red hair glinting in the sun, her hazel eyes big and concerned. “Tyler, what is going on?”

“Inside, when we’re seated.” I leaned into her hug, blinking when my eyes prickled, a hot sting behind my lids. I sucked in the familiar smell of her, fresh and warm, her soap and perfume with a hint of bleach.

“What did he do?” Grasping my hand, Maggie tugged me toward the entrance. As we walked, she wrapped an arm around my waist, keeping me close and sheltered.

Got another woman pregnant, that’s what he did. I cringed at the vicious voice pounding in my head. That wasn’t quite fair. We weren’t talking about an affair or a one night stand. If she was having his baby – oh, God, the mere thought made me want to throw up – they’d been together when it happened.

Before me.

Before our baby.

Still. That viper wasn’t getting anywhere near my boy.

Aware of Maggie’s concerned gaze, I stomped through the door when she swung it open. Chatter and music and the rich smells of cumin, peppers, and onions, which I normally loved, washed over me, more of a cacophony than anything soothing. The hostess desk was empty, so we stopped at the generic sign with Please wait to be seated in gold script.

Maggie squeezed my hand, once, before I pulled away. I wound my arms over my midriff and gripped my elbows, hard. I loved her, but I needed to stand on my own. I should never have let myself lean into Jase. Never.

Behind us the door swooshed open again. I didn’t look back, blinking against a burning heat at my eyes. Had to be the spices in the air. Had to.

“Evening, Maggie.”

She startled at the deep voice, and I cast a rapid glance over my shoulder at the couple behind us, some guy in his late twenties with a dress shirt and a tie, dark hair already slightly receding. The blonde with him was a little older, early thirties, maybe, her face set in lines of perpetual boredom. Maggie’s eyes widened before she relaxed. “Hey.”

I turned away, attention fixed on the hostess stand. Maybe the baby wasn’t even his. Maybe I was upset for nothing. Maybe a fairy godmother would show up and wave a wand over my life, fixing everything.

Maggie took a step closer to me. “This is my friend, Tyler. Tyler, this is Scott.”

Sucking in a breath, my teeth clenched so hard they hurt, I glanced at the guy, who nodded at me and tilted his head toward the blonde.”My fiancee, Andrea. Maggie owns the company Daddy hired to replace Mrs. Hattie.”

Maggie smiled at Andrea, her friendly, easy, open self. “Nice to meet you.”

Pulling her phone from her bag, Andrea glanced at the screen, then scanned Maggie with a critical gaze. “A cleaning company.”

I stiffened. Who did this chick think she was? My anger coiled, hissing and desperate, seeking an outlet, and this woman wanted to act like this with my Maggie? She was one breath away from catching hands.

Scott closed his eyes. I glared at him so hard he should feel it through his lids, and he opened them in time to catch Maggie’s bright grin, her shoulders straight and chin tilted with her polished pride.

“Yes, ma’am. Started it all by myself in Thomas County and grew into this county. My mama and daddy are right proud.”

“I’m sure.” Andrea gave a thin smile, her gaze tracking to the still-empty hostess station then to her phone.

I narrowed my eyes at her. What an absolute witch. Guess every guy in this town had shit taste in blondes.

Maggie studied Andrea’s face, lips pursed in speculation. Her hazel gaze landed on Scott’s face, and he grimaced, lifting a hand in silent apology. I muffled a snort. Maybe she was good in bed for him to put up with her acting like that.

I mean, look at Jase. He’d put up with Elizabeth Hall’s bitchiness for eight years.

Now he might put up with it for a lot longer than that.

Not that I had to. And my baby sure as hell wouldn’t.

Like a blessing, the hostess emerged from the bar, flushed and frazzled.