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“The mystery man?”
She laughed, nodding even though her cousin couldn’t see her. “Uh huh. Don’t tell your dad, but I’ve been staying with him. He wants me to move in.”
“This is the guy that lives in some crazy ass mansion, right?”
“It’s a nice house, yes.”
“Lucky,” he muttered. “So when do we get to meet this guy, Tay? Better yet, when do we get to check out these fancy new digs you’re living in?”
Her lips vibrated as she blew out a forceful breath. “I don’t know to be honest with you. Let me talk to him and I’ll see what I can do. Sebastian has a lot going on right now with work, and I just piled in on him.” She hesitated for a moment. “And you know how your dad is. I’m not too sure Sebastian would enjoy one of his lectures on morality and virtue.”
Bryce laughed. “Yeah, I get that, but we’re family and he’s going to have to suffer through it sooner or later. Hey, while I got you on the phone, I need a favor.”
“Anything,” she said, smiling. “You know that.”
A sigh of relief sounded on the other end. “My piece of shit broke down again and I have some stuff to pick up in town. Do you think I could at least borrow your truck? It would just be for an hour or so.”
“Sure, I have to swing by the diner for a little tomorrow anyway and clean out my apartment. You can pick it up then. Just don’t wreck it, okay? That rusted out beauty is all I’ve got.”
“Thanks, Tay. You’re the best. I love you. I’m glad you’re all right.”
“Love you too, Bub.”
She hung up the phone, still smiling. It felt good to reconnect with her family again, even if just for a few minutes. Stretching her arms out behind her head, she startled when she noticed Sebastian leaning against the archway. Her lips pressed together in uncertainty as she regarded his folded arms and the narrowing glint in his eyes.
“Who was that?”
“My cousin, Bryce.”
She grinned as his shoulders shook with a slight laugh and the tension eased from his stony features, bringing back the boyish smile she loved.
“I didn’t want them to worry about me, which they were. I should have called sooner,” she admitted. “He’d really like to come over sometime and meet you.”
Sebastian nodded and crossed the room. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed beside her, he traced the line of her jaw. She melded against him as he leaned in to steal a slow, lingering kiss. “Would that make you happy?” he asked, pulling back.
“I think so, yes.”
“Then consider it done. Set up a time over the weekend. Unless you would prefer to hold out another week or two and have them here for the holiday. It’s up to you.”
She felt her face light up with the bright smile his words elicited. Bouncing slightly, she tamped down a squeal and lunged up on her knees. “Really?”
Sebastian laughed as she flung her arms around his neck. “Yes, darling, really. Whatever makes you happy. Now go get dressed so we can grab a bite to eat. I’m famished.”
VII.
Guilt flooded Taylor as she pulled into the diner's parking lot. Cars and decked out semis crammed the tiny space, some of them spilling into the adjacent lot reserved for the shopping plaza. With barely a parking space left, the staff had to be pulling their hair out. Squeezing her truck in beside the dumpster, she took a deep breath and shook her head. She wasn't exactly looking forward to telling her boss she was quitting. Christmas was always their busiest season, and part of her was going to miss the worn down surroundings and familiar faces. Flipping down the visor, she double-checked her reflection. Part of her considered trying to buy more time, but Sebastian changing his mind seemed about as likely as her winning the lottery. Sighing, she rolled her eyes. What was wrong with her? Most people would be running through those truck stop doors without so much as a second glance. It was stupid to mourn something so trivial when she had so much to gain. She had the perfect man, the perfect house…the perfect life.
Steeling herself, she slid from the truck and eased into the soft bank of snow. A small grimace crossed her face as she kicked the dirty slush from her boots and started toward the warm shelter of the diner. Bryce’s voice called out to her, stopping her short. Turning, she laughed as she found herself suddenly swept off her feet and into her hulking cousin’s arms. She grunted, giggling in his bear-like embrace. His scraggly beard tickled her cheek as he planted a rough kiss on her face.
“How’s my favorite cuz?” he asked, setting her back on her feet.
“I’m wonderful, but I think you might have just crushed a rib or two,” she scolded. His unrepentant grin earned him a hard slug to the shoulder. She immediately regretted it. Pouting, Taylor shook the pain out of her knuckles. She’d forgotten how big and solid her childhood playmate had grown. Bryce regarded her with a funny expression, his thick eyebrows quirking above the rims of his sunglasses.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m just seeing if you look any different.” He snickered with a lecherous grin. “You know, now that you’ve been defiled and all.”
“Oh my God, Bryce! Really?” she snorted, slugging him again. “You’re horrible!”
“You’re the one that’s bumping uglies.”
Her jaw dropped, and Taylor planted her hands on her hips with an indignant gasp. “Bumping what? Where do you even come up with this stuff, Bryce McAvay?” Laughter was the only response she got. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “Do you want the keys or not?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, quickly sobering.
“Then grow up and act like a gentleman.” She couldn’t help but giggle at his playful salute. “Pick me up at my apartment. I can catch the bus there, and you better bring my baby back in one piece!”
Throwing his head of thick auburn hair back, her cousin barked with laughter. “Whatever doesn’t fall off on the way through town will make it back to you safe and sound, I swear.”
Tossing the keys at him, she headed for the diner. The powerful smell of coffee and warm grease washed over her the minute she set foot through the doors. Irene glanced up from behind the counters, a wide smile splitting the redhead’s impish face. Earl turned from his usual seat at the counter. Lifting his hat to reveal a smattering of wiry silver hair, the old man offered a grin and a saucy wink.
“There’s my kitty cat!” he said, chuckling. “I was just telling the staff here I was going to have to find a new place to eat. No one tosses up a batch of home fries and grits like you.”
“Aw, Early Bird. I missed you, too.”
Stomping the snow off her boots, Taylor crossed the dimly lit space to wrap the old man in a hug. She winced at the sharp jut of bones beneath his thin flannel. The pungent scent of whiskey clung to his skin and reddened his watery eyes. He’d always been her favorite customer, and with good reason. Earl spent almost every day perched at the counter for hours at a time, sipping his coffee and exchanging stories with anyone who would listen. He was lonely, and despite his objections, he never had much money for food. More often than not, she would slip him a plate and put it on her tab, just to be sure the man had one good meal in him a day. From the looks of him, no one else had been as kind. Frowning, Taylor fished in her purse and pulled out a twenty. His eyes widened, and he shook his head in refusal, but kissing his cheek, she slipped it in the tattered folds of his front pocket.
“Get yourself something to eat, Earl. You’re going to be on your own for a while, but I’ll swing by and check up on you from time to time. I promise.”
“You’re leaving us?” Irene asked. Her eyebrows popped up with disbelief. She snapped her gum between her teeth, the sharp crack breaking the silence.
“It’s a long story, but yes. I’m sorry,” she said, her face contorting with a pained wince of apology.
