Page 13 of Broken: Taylor

“I eat it with sauce and vegetables only. No cheese.”

“We’re not sharing then.” Brows pinched she continued looking at the menu.

Taylor studied her for a moment. “Why did you move back here?” Most people move from Laurel Creek to Billings, not the other way around. Unless running from something or planning to retire, there really wasn’t much in Laurel Creek.

“It’s beautiful here. My best friend is here and besides, I can live here mortgage free in my grandmother’s house.”

The girl returned and they ordered a medium pizza each, his with vegetables only. Allison ordered a supreme with extra spinach and cheese.

“Why did you ask me out to eat tonight?”

He wasn’t sure how to respond. The true reason for them being there was because he owed her some sort of explanation, which by the way he’d not figured out yet.

The only good news so far was that he’d gotten his phone and his prescription refill was safely in his nightstand.

He met her gaze. “Allison, I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. Need you to understand that right now I can’t promise more than friendship.”

“Okay.” Without expression, she scanned the room not seeming to notice a guy who sat across from them. The idiot kept turning to look at her.

“So you returned to get a fresh start then?” Taylor asked, attempting at a neutral subject.

Sipping from her wine, she watched him over the rim. “I recently ended a long-term relationship, so the timing was good to move. What about you? What’s going on in your life at the moment?”

Shit, his current situation was not the best. Nothing could be done about the daily pain and taking too many painkillers. It wasn’t like they could amputate a hip.

“Day to day same thing.”

“I was told you go to Billings often. Are you dating someone there? Is it serious?”

So that was the message between Allison and Tori. Tori knew about Felicia, they’d been there for dinner once. After drinking a bit too much wine, they’d gotten a bit demonstrative. Shit. He’d not thought about that.

“I was seeing someone. Not in a relationship currently.”

“Breakup must have been recent.”

Fuck. The conversation was going from uncomfortable to unbearable. He didn’t like talking about his personal life or the shitstorm that it was. “It was a casual thing. Nothing serious.”

She emptied her wineglass and gestured for a refill. “Just so we’re clear. This is just dinner between friends. Nothing more.” She leaned back and let out a breath, her gaze moving past him. He didn’t have to wonder who’d caught her attention.

“Its just dinner. Not a date.” He gritted the words out. In all honesty, he wanted it to be more. Hell, maybe he was sending mixed signals even to himself at this point. Why did he even ask her out?

Once again, her gaze moved past him and she smiled. “So, are you more of a casual relationship type?”

“Sometimes. You?”

“Not sure.”

He took drink from his glass. “Okay. Satisfied? Any more questions?”

The evening was headed downhill.

His phone buzzed. It was Felicia of all people. What the hell?

Allison lifted a brow. “No, I can’t say I’m satisfied. But I will be once I eat this little darling.” Pizzas were slid in front of both of them and Allison began eating with gusto.

Apparently, she was not fazed by the situation. On the other hand, he could not eat. His cell continued to vibrate and guilt settled in his gut filling up most of the space.

Allison getting up to use the ladies room and the asshole at the other table slipping a piece of paper into her hand topped off the evening.

Taylor blew out a breath and pulled out his cell phone. It was then he looked across the restaurant and noticed Felicia was there. What the hell was she doing there?

So yeah, they’d left on “friends only” terms, but it still felt odd to be out with another woman with her in the same place. And she did have relatives there, but still.

“Shit.”