Page 25 of Then There Was You

He waves off my comment. “It’s fine. I guarantee Ash will be later than us.”

I hand him the helmet, which he puts next to his bike, and I attempt to fluff my hair with my free hand.

“Do I have helmet hair?” I ask him, trying to see my reflection in the window of Cade’s car.

“You look beautiful, Taylor.”

I turn to find him standing right behind me.

I tilt my head back to look at him, his six-foot-three frame towering above me, even with my heeled pumps on. “Thanks. You look good too.”

And he does. He’s wearing dark jeans pushed into black boots and a dark-colored hoodie. His hair is styled like he’s spent the day running his fingers through it and the ever-present stubble is on his jaw. He looks sexy as hell.

“We should go inside,” he says, his voice low.

I nod before hearing him sigh as he drops his eyes from mine and takes a step back. I follow him up the porch steps, wondering if we’ve just had a moment or whether I’m imagining things.

CHAPTERNINE

Seb

It’s been almost a week since Cade and Sophie’s party. Despite my apprehension about going, I had a good night. I forced myself to speak to Sophie, and it seems every time I see her, it gets a little easier and hurts a little less. I figure if I want to get our friendship back, I need to let go of any feelings I have for her.

Maybe it didn’t hurt so much because I spent most of the night talking to Taylor. She’s so easy to talk to, and we seem to have this energy between us that I can’t explain. I know for sure that us talking didn’t go unnoticed. Nash even called me the next day to ask if something was going on between the two of us. I assured him there wasn’t and that we’re just friends. I’m not sure he believed me. Even though friendship is all I can offer, it doesn’t stop me from thinking about her all the time and where that damn tattoo is.

It’s Friday lunchtime, and I’ve just brought a case of beer up from the cellar.

“I asked her out,” Alex says to Ryder as I walk behind the bar. “She’s not dating right now.”

“Did she say why?” Ryder asks.

Alex shrugs. “Something about some personal shit she’s got going on.”

“Who are you talking about?” I ask, placing the crate of beer on the bar.

“Taylor.”

I spin around to look at Alex. “You asked Taylor out?” He nods. “When?”

“Saturday night. She was leaving for that party at Cade’s place.” He frowns. “You look pissed.”

“I’m not. I just didn’t know you liked her.” I turn my back on him and begin to stock the refrigerator with the Coronas I just brought up. I shouldn’t care he’s asked her out, but somehow, I do.

“She’s gorgeous. You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”

“I’ve noticed.” When neither Alex nor Ryder comment, I turn around. They’re both grinning at me. “What?” I ask, looking between them.

“You like her,” Ryder says.

“Sure I like her. As a friend.”

“I don’t mean as a friend,” he says. “For what it’s worth, I think she likes you too.” He turns to Alex. “Sorry, man, but I’ve seen the way she looks at him.”

Alex shrugs. “Plenty more fish in the sea,” he says, and I roll my eyes, focusing back on Ryder.

“She doesn’t look at me any way,” I tell him, my stomach suddenly churning with nerves, although I’ve no idea why. “Since when did you become an expert on attraction?”

“I work in a bar. I see people flirtingallthe time. You get good at noticing these things. People who are into each other, people who aren’t. You should take a look when you’re behind here.”

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