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That’s a good idea.
My phone lights up with a message, but my mind is still on sex with Talynn.
Jayson:Coming to the game tomorrow with Nic.
Me:Awesome. Wait for me after the game.
Jayson:Hope your slump is over.
Me:Maybe if everyone would quit talking about it, it would be.
Jayson:Nope, you just need to get laid.
Me:I’m at the movies. Glad you’re coming.
After the movie, I walk right to Talynn. “Are we going to tell everyone or are we pretending nothing’s happened between us?”
“Hmm…maybe we should we just start holding hands, so they ask instead of us having to bring up like…Hey! We’re having sex.” She squirrels her lips to one side.
“We’re notjusthaving sex,” I shoot back.
Harper shows up at the precise moment. “Hey. Great movie.”
“Yeah, it was,” I answer.
Harper’s eyes shift between Talynn and me. “So, you finally got out of your own way and made a move. Proud of you, Tackett.”
Talynn beams and slips her hand in mine. I guess we’re going with her idea. I glance at Harper, but I lean down and kiss Talynn on the cheek, prompting a smile.
“That’s so sweet,” she gushes. “I knew you would be perfect together.”
“Thanks for talking me into going for it no matter the result.” I reach out with my other hand and squeeze hers. “You’re a good friend.”
Talynn chimes in, “Wait. Harper, you’ve known how he feels all along?”
She shrugs and lets out a soft laugh. “Only a fool couldn’t see it.”
“Well then I guess I’m a fool. But thank you for whatever you said.” Talynn releases my hand, and they have a girl moment. “Now let’s go tell the rest of your family.”
We join them at a small coffee shop around the corner. They’re sitting on the patio, and we order our drinks before sitting down. There are little twinkly lights in the bushes that are so perfect they almost look fake. Once everyone has their macchiatos, and hazelnut whatevers, I clear my throat. “Hey, I don’t know how to say this but… umm…,” I mumble, and press my hands on my shorts.
Talynn interrupts me. “Towles and I are a”—she uses air quotes—“thing.” I pull her into my lap, placing my hand on her leg, gently sweeping up over her mid-thigh.
“I knew something was going on when I came in,” Megan exclaims, her eyes narrowing in jest.
Talynn responds, “Sis, you need to start knocking. Don’t use your key unless we’re not home. In fact, surrender your key.” Everyone laughs, and it’s not the first time I think how sexy it is that Talynn says what’s on her mind. The same way her sister does.
While they’re talking, I pan to Hagan and Archer. “Umm, Hagan can we talk privately?” I’m nervous about how this is going to go. Does he have athingfor Talynn? Or is he going to see this as me stepping in his territory?
Hagan nods, pushing his chair back from the table then takes a sip of his iced coffee. I pick up my water bottle before we take our conversation to the sidewalk. He’s a younger version of Archer. Deep. Dark. Mysterious. Until you get to know him.
“Hey man. I hope you’re okay with Talynn and me. I know you two are close. I’ve seen you flirt with each other. Our friendship means a lot to me. I’ve never put a girl before anything but….”
“But you’ve been into her since Archer proposed to Megan,” he says, matter-of-fact.
I set my water bottle on a trash receptacle and shove my hands deep into my pockets. “Yeah, I guess I have. Any advice?”
He throws his head back and laughs like I’m on an episode of a sitcom. He pats me on the back and keeps his arm around my shoulder. “Towles, I wish I knew what to tell you, but the only girlfriend I’ve ever had broke my freaking heart. You know as much as me.”
