Page 90 of Call Me Mrs. Taylor

She smirks back, her gaze dropping to my hand.

She picks it up and splays my fingers out, nodding at the broken nail on my middle finger. It’s news to me.

“Well, then,” she says. “I like him already.”

I snatch my hand away, embarrassed. “Don’t,” I plead. “We were just—“

“Little girl. Please remember who you’re talking to.”

I nod as Ace appears at my side.

This should be good.

“Ace, this is my aunt Tori. Auntie, this is Ace. The one I told you about.”

His eyes buck, but he pulls it together long enough to stick out a hand. Tori stares down at it, and I laugh as I wait for him to catch up.

His face relaxes in recognition. “I washed my hands.”

She shakes his hand, then motions to the stool next to her. “Sit.”

Ace holds her gaze, then after a long beat, he sits.

Good boy.

“First off,” he says, “I meant no disrespect, Auntie.” His eyes flicker past her and land on me. “But I ain't makin' no apologies. She asked for it.”

“I’m sure she did,” Tori says with a grin. “No worries, sweetheart. We’re all grown.”

He nods, bringing his gaze back to her. “It’s nice to know she toldsomebodyin the family that I exist.”

I frown at that, but he doesn’t elaborate, and Tori doesn’t ask. Instead, she says, “She did. And your existence seems to have had quite an effect on her.”

Okay, so they’re gonna talk about me like I’m not here. Cool.

I signal the bartender. I need another drink for this.

She leans back in her seat, swirling the last of her whiskey. “So Ace. Tell me about yourself.”

“I’d rather you tell me what she told you.”

“Well, she told me you were handsome, but she didn’t do you justice, baby. My God.”

He laughs. Tori’s even better at this than I am.

“She said you’re smart,” she continues. “Engineer. Big time, apparently. And she said she really admires you.”

His eyes meet mine again. “That’s interesting.”

“Is it?” Tori says.

“Yeah.” He looks around. “Before we get started, are y’all good on drinks? Yall hungry? Whatever you want, I got it.”

“I’m good, sweetheart.”

I take the rest of my martini to the head. “I’m gonna order some food.”

His eyes narrow. “You do that.”

---