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Tatum grinned. “Thanks. We’re also dating Rissa.”
“Marissa and I used to be really close, but it’s been so long.”
“Come over tonight.”
“I don’t have a car.”
“One of us will come get you.” Tate waved his hand through the air, knowing I was making excuses. “But for now, Tanner and I could use your coordinating talents for the party.”
Tatum seemingly recognized the start of my downward spiral and dragged the conversation back to the topic at hand. He had the purest heart of anyone I knew. Rolling my eyes, I sprinkled some attitude on my reply rather than explain what was running through my head. “Jesse doesn’t need pink cheetah spotted balloons, magenta streamers, and glitter.”
“My brother has a soft spot for pink cheetah print.” Tanner cocked his head to the side. “But don’t tell him I told you.”
“What doyouhave a soft spot for?” I challenged, out of nowhere.
“Sassy little brats.”
Tanner took the wind right out of my sails. Rather than allowing him the victory, I stood on my tiptoes so I could almost look him in the eye. “Are you implying that I’m a brat?”
“Nope.” Tanner ran a hand over his chin. “I don’t have to imply it, darling.”
“I’m not a brat,” I huffed. “And I don’t want to help you plan your stupid party, even if it’s for one of my favorite people.”
Instead of offering any further explanations, I stomped out of the kitchen.
Tanner
Watching Tiana storm off, obviously caught up in things I knew nothing about, bothered me. Seeing her cemented the need for me to find out how to help her. When I’d been ready to get into a relationship with her about a decade ago, she’d been leaving for the Golden state. Sassy little thing had jumped on a plane and never looked back.
“Tanner—”
“Oh, I plan on it,” I growled, playing on my name, and forgetting for a moment who I was talking to.
“Dude.” Tatum laughed so hard he snorted.
“What?” I shifted focus to my brother’s boyfriend, who was shaking his head, nearly doubled over laughing. “Whatever the hell is making her carry around the weight of the world on her shoulders won’t disappear easily.”
“You’re right.” Tatum let out a breath as his amusement faded. “I’m serious about Tia’s party planning skills. It might help her get out of the funk she’s been in. The major things are set. My parents have tents, tables, and chairs.”
“Sounds good. Are you off Friday?”
“No, I’ll be in Denver at an event with Luke and Emma.”
“Send me a list of whatever is left and I’ll see what I can cross off.”
“Good deal.” Tatum leaned back against the counter. “Weren’t you and Tia in a relationship in college?”
“I’ve cared about your sister for a long time, but she made a beeline out of town. We never got off the ground.” I tried to keep the frustration out of my tone and failed. Things had been strained between us right before she left.
“Maybe you can convince her to help us. If you attempted to get to the bottom of the issue, I’m pretty sure things would shift in your favor.”
We stared at each other for a minute. I hadn’t spent a lot of time alone with Tatum, but we’d been getting to know each other more after he started dating Jesse. “Are you aware of how I typically get to the bottom of things?”
“Via an axe?”
“It involves swinging something, but no, it’s not a fire axe.” I rubbed my hand along my throat. “Second guess?”
“Sorry, man, I’d offer you a paddle, but mine are at home.”
