Page 22 of The Ones We Fight For

“Nothing. It’s not important.” Talia quickly side-stepped Walker’s question, hoping he hadn’t overheard Amala’s colorful presumptions.

Talia was still trying to wrap her head around why she had suggested a friendship with Walker to begin with. Rationalizing was the only way she could get around it. If they were going to continually run into each other, as the universe would have it, being friends would be beneficial to them both. Walker needed assistance with things he could never understand about his nieces, and Talia needed to know more than three people total in town. The arrangement wasn’t so odd, and finding him attractive wasn’t going to be a problem. Objectively, Walker was hot. Most women and men would agree. It was hard to miss. But Talia was confident in her ability to appreciate someone’s physical attributes while remaining completely platonic with them.

“What are you guys up to?” Talia steered the conversation to something more suitably matched for the friend zone.

“We’re grocery shopping,” Piper announced cheerily.

“It’s part of her punishment for playing fugitive last night,” Walker explained.

“Also, you suck at shopping and cooking?” Talia tilted her head to the side, looking up at Walker.

“Dammit! How do you do that?” Walker threw up his hands in exasperation.

“Piper told me about the chicken parm incident,” Talia laughed, rising from her seat.

“I don’t know why everyone insists on calling it an ‘incident.’ They were only a little burnt, and who doesn’t like burnt cheese?” Walker argued.

“Oh, I like burnt cheese,” Amala cut in, raising her hand.

“Thank you!” Walker grinned and pointed a thumb at Amala. “I like her.”

“This is Amala. She's married, has an eight-year-old, and is two months pregnant, so I think you’re going to have to tone down the flirting.”

“Shoot, missed my chance,” Walker played along, winking at Amala, who pretended to faint in her chair from the attention.

“Something tells me I am not at all your type.” Amala glanced over at Talia with a rueful smile, and Talia fought the urge to smack her. Instead, Talia glared back, loudly declaring in her head and with her eyes what she was sure Amala already knew her response would be.

I’m not his type either. We’re just friends.

Luckily, Walker didn’t seem to notice any tension, too focused on the small gagging sound Piper let out, apparently not enjoying the conversation about her uncle’s prospects.

“My type is someone who wants five mostly teenage kids who enjoy putting me through the ringer.” Walker glared down at hisniece, who cringed apologetically. Talia looked away, trying to convince herself that he did not look at her when he had said the words my type. Her mind was playing tricks on her again. “Unless Mother Teresa wants to pop out of her grave any time soon.”

“Ah, so you’re into old, deceased women, then?” Talia chimed in, thankful for the opportunity to keep the conversation light and casual.

“Oh, absolutely. Who doesn’t want a woman who has random mints floating around in her purse and smells like Irish Spring soap?” Walker mused. Talia let out a loud cackle in response, and Walker returned a smile in her direction, beaming with pride that his joke had landed.

“Did you need help shopping? I’m off today, but Talia canassist you.” Amala held her palm up, gesturing to Talia like she was offering her up on a silver platter. With a tick of her jaw, Talia made a mental note to lay into Amala later for her blatant meddling. Walker was a grown-ass man. He could go grocery shopping on his own.

“I mean… I was just saying hi ‘cause I believe that’s typically how friendships work, but sure, why not.” Walker shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m doing, and Piper only pretends she knows what she’s doing.”

“Hey!” Piper shouted in disagreement.

“On that note, I need to take this,” Amala raised up the ownership paperwork, “to my husband so I can brag about my accomplishments and so he can feel like he’s a part of my super important legal team that doesn’t exist.” She stood up and slid the packet back into the manila envelope before swiping a pen off the desk. “And I’m stealing this.”

“Won’t be stealing if you accept the proposal,” Talia pointed out. She stole a glance at Walker, who was leaning on the doorframe again, watching them with interest.

“Let’s do dinner later?” Amala followed Talia’s gaze. “Walker, you are welcome to come if you like. Cooper is in my daughter’s class. He’s a sweet kid. I’m making jambalaya, so it’ll be a celebration.”

“So, you’re taking half-stake in the store, then?” Talia pried at Amala before Walker could accept the invite.

“We’ll see.” Amala smirked, feigning an edge of mystery. Talia already knew she would take it. She was way too ambitious not to.

Now following the conversation, Walker stood up straighter and flashed a smile at Amala. “Congratulations! But did you miss the five kids part? I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Pish posh. I may have just come into some money,” Amala shimmied her shoulders. “I’ll make more food. You’re coming.”

“Um… oh-kay,” Walker nodded awkwardly as Amala excused herself, pushing past him and Piper and leaving without another word. Talia made her way around her desk, amused at the flabbergasted expression on Walker’s face.

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