Page 60 of Don't You Want Me, Baby?

‘Filthy woman,’ he growled, stealing a kiss. ‘You look beautiful, by the way.’

‘Thanks, bestie,’ she teased. Just to get one of his grumpy eye rolls.

‘Bestie my arse,’ he pretended to grump. ‘Wait till we get home; I’ll show you what a best friend can do.’

She pushed him away, feeling the blush of attraction rove through her.

‘Sounds like I’m on a promise.’

He shrugged on the jacket he’d slung over the couch. ‘You bet your ass you’re on a promise. I have been slaving away in that kitchen for weeks. My boss is a real slavedriver.’

Pushing on her heels, she padded over. He was trying to escape from his tie noose. Reaching for it, she pulled it a little, making his eyes widen. ‘Really? Bit of a bitch, eh?’ Loosening the silk material, she re-tied it straight, and a little looser. ‘You should quit.’

He pretended to think about it, sliding his hands up her thighs and resting them in the small of her back. ‘I would… but it’s kind of a live-in situation. You know, room and board.’

‘Ah. So she’s a controlling wench, too, eh. Bet you have to…’ she pushed her fingers under his jacket, enjoying his shiver as her hands roved over his abs. ‘…fluff her pillows,’ she breathed.

His eyes darkened as he gripped her tighter. ‘Oh, she makes me fluff everything.’

‘Ah-huh.’ A throat clearing behind them froze them in their tracks. ‘You have a reservation in thirty minutes. And try not to dry hump in front of the babysitter, eh?’

Tyler released her, his fingers lingering until the last minute.

‘Hi Sharon,’ he monotoned, straightening his already perfect tie. ‘Thanks for looking after the champ.’

The pair of them turned to see a very uncharacteristicallysmiling Sharon, standing with a familiar-looking contractor. They were holding hands.

‘Oh,’ Amber had to prise her gaze from their entwined hands. ‘Wow. Sorry about the PDA there.’ Tyler was standing open mouthed at the side of her, and she jabbed him in the ribs to bump him out of his stupor. ‘Nice to see you again…’

‘Reservation,’ Sharon squeaked, looking at them both with wide eyes. She mouthed, ‘Stop bloody staring’ at them both, and Tyler made a coughing sound that sounded suspiciously like a covered laugh. She never spoke about him, though they all knew that she was seeing him. Matt and Tyler were actually good friends, but from the look on his face, he didn’t know he’d be coming tonight either. It felt like a bit of a milestone.

‘Right,’ they both said together. After staring at each other for what felt like hours, Tyler clapped his hands together and swept Amber across the room with him.

‘Okay! So, Matt, Shaz… ron, we won’t be out too late. I have my phone, little dude should be fast on for the night. Remotes are on the coffee table…’

Sharon was glaring at him now like she was wishing her eyes were lasers.

‘And… have a good night!’

They were in the car before either of them spoke again.

‘So, that happened.’ Amber couldn’t help but laugh. She was happy for her friend. It looked a lot like she’d found her partner. ‘How long have they been official? I knew she was still seeing him, but it’s the first time she’s brought him out. Wow. Our little Sharon’s in love.’

His eyes were shining in the dim light, his surprised smile lit up by the passing lights as they drove towards the restaurant. ‘He never said a word.’ Tyler laughed. ‘Good man. They are definitely doing more than knocking boots.’

‘I know! Did you see them, holding hands?’

‘I know,’ Tyler breathed, tapping the steering wheel in his excited little Duracell bunny way. ‘It was disgusting!’

He took his eyes off the road long enough to lock eyes with her, and they both lost it. Tears streaming down their face, overjoyed and shocked by their friend. Amber managed to stop herself first, dabbing her eyes to avoid walking into their date looking like a panda.

‘Aww, the little sister you never had. Seriously, though, what the heck? I swear, she never said a word to me.’

Tyler’s smile was all knowing. ‘I think we can guess why. He’s important to her.’

‘I know that feeling,’ Amber grinned, wrapping her hand over Tyler’s as it rested on the gearstick.

‘Of course you do. That’s why we fell into each other’s arms the second we met.’

---