Page 23 of Then There Was You

I laugh. “No. A party.”

He nods and continues drying the glass in his hand. “Can I take you out for a drink sometime?”

I’m taken aback by his question and have no idea how to respond. I’ve only spoken to him a couple of times. He’s always been so confident but seems nervous as he waits for my answer. He’s cute, there’s no doubting that. He’s tall and well built, with messy blond hair and blue eyes, but there’s no ink on his arms and his jaw is free of stubble, unlike Seb’s. It’s not fair to compare them, but I can’t help it. As cute as he is, I’m just not attracted to him.

“As flattered as I am, I’m not dating at the moment. I’ve had some personal stuff going on and I’m just taking some time for myself.”

I hope a little white lie to save his feelings is okay on this occasion. I guess it’s a half-truth. Ihavehad some personal stuff going on, but if the right guy asked me out, there’s no way I’d say no.

“Sure. I get that. Maybe when you’re ready, then?”

“Yeah, maybe. Have a good night, Alex.”

“You too, Taylor.”

I walk quickly out of Eden, grateful for the blast of cold air that hits me when I reach the sidewalk. I haven’t been asked out in a really long time. I dated a guy for almost a year before my mom got sick, and while I loved him, when I had to cancel dates to care for my mom, he soon lost interest and ended things within weeks. I later found out he went back to his ex who he’d been hung up on for a while. I was upset at the time, but I soon realized I had a lucky escape. A guy like that was never going to stick around when things got tough. I was better off without him.

It’s dark as I leave Eden, and I’m beginning to wish I’d taken Nash up on his offer of a ride. I didn’t, knowing Sophie’s place is only around the corner for him and Paisley. I didn’t want them coming out of their way to pick me up. I pull my jacket tightly around myself and walk a little faster. I jump a few minutes later when the roar of a motorcycle pierces the silence. The driver rides past me before slowing and turning around. My heart thunders in my chest as the motorcycle comes to a stop next to me, cutting the engine. I continue to walk, quickening my pace.

“Taylor, wait! It’s me,” someone shouts, and I stop, recognizing the voice.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I turn and Seb’s sitting on his bike with his helmet in his hand. I know he rides a motorcycle, but in the dark, I had no idea it was him.

“Shit, Seb. You scared me.”

“Sorry. What are you doing walking in the dark?”

“I’m going to Sophie and Cade’s party.”

“I know that. Why didn’t you ask me for a ride?”

I frown. “You weren’t at work this afternoon. I didn’t think you’d want to come all the way back to Eden just to pick me up.”

“It’s a five-minute ride, Taylor. I wouldn’t have minded. Get on. You can have my helmet.”

I shake my head. “Oh, no! I can’t get on that.”

“Why?”

“I just can’t. You, you’re perfect for it, but me… no. I can’t. No.”

He laughs. “Are you still drunk?”

“What?”

“You’re rambling.”

“I am not.”

He holds my stare and my stomach dips. He looks so fucking sexy straddling his bike. Why couldn’t it have been Seb asking me out instead of Alex?

“What did you mean when you said I was perfect for the bike?” he asks.

I bite my bottom lip. “Just that you look… like that.” My eyes sweep over him. “Your tattoos and… stuff.”

“You don’t like tattoos?”

“Oh, no. I like them. I like them a lot…”

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