Page 72 of Here's to Now

I guess I can add all that to the ways Haley has changed my life. She’s given me more true friendships than I ever thought I’d have.

“Yep. Last-minute decision. This whole lunch is basically a last minute thing,” Rae replies, interrupting my thoughts. “Perry’s coming too.”

“Cool,” Tuck says, sinking back into his seat with a grin. “Glad Vern’s has big booths.”

“It’s why I picked it,” Hudson speaks up.

Tucker mocks him and then yelps. I laugh, knowing Hudson just kicked him under the table.

“You’re worse than a kid!” Tucker complains.

Hudson simply shrugs and turns back to his girl, planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Gross,” Tuck mutters. “Maddox, tell ’em it’s gross.”

The new kid’s eyes go wide. “I’d rather not insult the man who signs my paychecks.”

Before Tucker can say anything back, Maura and Perry arrive.

“Sorry we’re late,” Maura says. She hitches a thumb over her shoulder. “Perry takes forever to get ready.”

“I didn’t get this pretty overnight, babe,” he says as he slides into the booth next to Haley, and I want to scream at the loss of simple contact between me and my girl. “Hey, cuz.” He leans over and smacks a kiss to her temple. “Missed you. I haven’t been able to reach you lately. Everything cool?”

It’s minimal, but she glances over to me. “Yep. Everything’s great.”

“Cool. But call more often, okay?”

“Deal,” she agrees.

Maura begins to scoot into the booth next to me and I almost jump out so she can sit next to Tucker; it’s clear he’s bouncing with excitement about her being here. But, if I move and let Maura in next to Tuck, I wouldn’t be across from Haley and touching her. Deciding between being nice to Tucker and touching Haley is easy; Haley will win every time. So, I scoot down and ignore the scowl Tucker gives me.

Conversations buzz around me. Tucker and Maddox argue over something trivial, Rae and Hudson are off in their own little world, and Perry and Maura chat about I have no idea what. The only two not talking are me and Haley. It’s the usual for me, but apparently not for Haley since Rae just asked her why she’s so quiet.

“I was, uh, just admiring Tucker’s ink.” Her voice is soft and the words are spoken with obvious embarrassment as all eyes turn toward her.

Tucker tilts a smug grin her way. “Well, thanks, gorgeous, but I can’t take the credit. I have a wicked talented tattoo artist.” He nudges my knee under the table, conscious of not spilling my well-kept secret. I’m so grateful, I let him get away with calling my girl gorgeous.

Haley flicks her eyes my direction, and I give her a small smile and dip my head at her, acknowledging the obvious compliment she meant for me.

“They look real,” she continues. “Whomever your artist is, he understands how to capture the mundane and make it extraordinary.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Tuck says proudly.

The need to get away overwhelms me. I always get uncomfortable when people begin complimenting my work. I have no idea why considering I know I have skills, but it still makes me feel awkward. Having Haley speak so freely of it in front of everyone? It makes my skin fucking crawl with the craving to kiss her.

Turning to Maura, I ask to be excused. She scoots out, only to slide back into the booth to snuggle next to Tucker, and I beeline it to the bathroom. I take my time, washing my hands an extreme number of times as I try to control my emotions.

I don’t know how she does it, but Haley lights this fire inside me. She makes me equally nervous and calm. It’s weird, really, the way her words dig into my head, into my heart, and fester. These past couple months since we’ve been sharing the benefits of our friendship have turned my head inside out. She’s burrowed her way into my core, even though we’re only supposed to be friends. It’s turned into more.She’sturned into more. I should have guessed it’d happen, though. What with the way we became friends so quickly, it should be no surprise we’d not only connect physically but emotionally as well. I only wish I knew how to separate the two, because right now, I want to react to her words like a boyfriend would, someone who’s emotionally entangled with her, not like someone who’s just sleeping with her. Hell, not even on a friendship level. The words feel too intimate for that.

Once I’m calmed down enough to sit across from her, I exit the restroom, only to come face to face with Haley herself. She’s lounging against the wall opposite the door looking gorgeous with a flirtatious grin.

“Hey,” she whispers.

“Hey,” I say, matching her hushed volume.

“I’m sorry for crashing your lunch.”

“What?” I move closer to her, putting a hand on her waist and leaning in to kiss her cheek. “No, you didn’t crash it. It was a welcome surprise.”

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