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I nod, looking over at him sitting with Sophie on the other sofa. I’d avoided looking until now, and she smiles when we make eye contact. My stomach flips as I give her a small smile back. “I wouldn’t normally close, but I figured we could all do with a break.” My attention is pulled from Cade and Sophie when Taylor sits on the floor across from me. I stand and gesture to the sofa. “Take my seat, Taylor. Don’t sit on the floor.”
She waves off my comment. “I’m okay. I’m in good company,” she says, pulling Max onto her lap and fussing him.
I sit back on the sofa, feeling bad she’s a guest and sitting on the floor.
“Where have you been looking for a rental, Taylor?” Ashlyn asks. “Are you looking for one bed or two?”
“Right now, I’ll take anything I can afford.”
“You’re looking to rent somewhere?” I ask.
She nods. “I’m on Nash and Paisley’s sofa. I had a rental in place, but it fell through.”
“The apartment above the bar is empty. It can get a little noisy, but you’re welcome to take a look if you’re interested.”
“I thought Ryder lived above the bar?” Paisley asks, her eyebrows pulled together in confusion.
“He did. He moved out last week. He’s bought a house on Carter Street.”
She frowns. “How did I not know that?”
“It’s always busy at the bar. There’s never time for much small talk.”
“I guess.”
I look back at Taylor, who’s watching me.
“How much is the rent?” she asks.
“A thousand a month, excluding bills.”
“Is it one bedroom?” I nod, and she bites her bottom lip. “Could I see it?”
“Sure. I can show you tomorrow if you’re free. I’ll be working anyway.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” She looks across at Paisley, an excited smile on her face.
“No problem.”
“So, what have you been up to, Seb? No one’s seen you in weeks,” Cade asks.
“Yeah, it’s not like you to pass up on Mom’s Thursday roasts,” Ashlyn adds.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat when everyone looks at me, and I swallow thickly. “Just work. You know how it is.”
“You’ve never been too busy for food before. Are you sure you’re not seeing someone and that’s why you have no time for us?” Ash asks.
I look across at her and she wriggles her eyebrows. Despite the grilling I’m getting, I can’t help but smile. Ashlyn has never had a filter and often says exactly what she’s thinking. It’s what I love most about her.
“There’s no one I’m seeing, Ash.”
“Like you’d tell me anyway,” she mutters, rolling her eyes.
“Are you working next weekend?” Cade asks.
“I work every weekend.”
“Can you get next Saturday night off?” He shifts his gaze to Sophie and smiles softly at her. “The house is finally fixed up after the fire and we’re having a get-together on Saturday night to celebrate.”
