Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(44)

“Finally slowed down,” Tag says, coming up next to me. We had a two hour long rush, the place was packed.

“Yeah. You can go have a smoke break, if you want,” I offer, knowing he must be dying for one right about now.

“So, dating the boss and giving out orders, huh,” he teases, his eyes playful.

“What?! Tag, I was just saying…”

Tag chuckles, pulls out a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of his jeans and heads outside. I can’t help but stare at his jean clad ass as he departs. Buns of steel.

“Quit staring at my ass, Summer!” he calls out, not even turning around.

I’m just finishing cleaning up the bar when Jade walks in. I do a double take when she walks behind the bar, and starts grinning at me knowingly.

“You’re the new chick?” I ask, my eyes flaring.

She laughs. “Yeah, and please don’t be mad cos I need this job.”

I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “Tone down your crazy and I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”

“Consider it toned down. What happened the other night after the fight?” she asks.

“Someone’s nosey,” I huff, cutting up some lime for the tequila shots.

“No, seriously.”

“We fought, we made up. I had no idea the doc was his ex. I didn’t even see what she looked like.”

Jade gives me a head to toe once over. “You’re way hotter than her.”

I roll my eyes.

“No, I’m serious. You’re all hips and boobs with a tiny waist. I’ve heard the guys talk about how hot you are.”

“Are we bonding over the mutual dislike for Reid’s ex?” I ask, stifling a laugh.

She grins evilly. “Yeah, I think we are.”

Jade looks cute today, her blonde hair is tied up in a high pony tail and her makeup consists of lip gloss and mascara. Her tight jeans and black top show off her slender figure.

“Were you just checking me out?” she teases.

“Wow, what did I miss?” Tag says, wiggling his eyebrows at us.

“How come no one told me Jade was the new girl?” I ask, looking at each of them.

“I thought you knew,” Tag says with a shrug. He runs his hands over the stubble on his cheeks before saying, “Ryan hired her.”

“How’s your daughter? I have a present for her in my car.”

Tag’s face lights up. “She’s good. So smart. I’m pretty sure I have a genius on my hands.”

“Her mum must be smart then,” I tease, laughing when he pulls on my pony tail.

“Where’s your man today?” he asks me.

“At the gym with Xander and dad.”

“When’s the next fight?” he asks.

“No idea.” I look at Jade expectantly.

“Hey, I don’t know either. You should ask your dad,” she says.

I pull my phone out of my bra, and call Ryan.

“Hey, babe,” he answers.

“Are we still doing dinner?” I ask him, hoping he says yes.

“Yeah, I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Okay.”

“Bye.”

We both hang up.

“You’re going out to dinner with Ryan?” Jade asks, her eyebrows rising.

I frown. “Yeah, why not?”

“Isn’t it weird?” she asks, pursing her pink lips.

“Ryan’s my best friend.” What’s the big deal? I don’t really care if people don’t get our relationship. We’re friends, really good friends. Friendships like that are hard to come by.

“What does Reid say?” she asks, leaning against the bar.

“Reid knows Ryan and I are close.” He acts like we annoy him but I know he’s happy we get along so well.

She makes a noncommittal sound which just pisses me off. I’m about to tell her as much when a group of customers walk in.

An hour passes quickly, and soon Ryan walks in to pick me up. He’s dressed in dark worn jeans and a long sleeve black sweater. His light hair falls across his forehead, and his baby blue eyes are warm.

“You ready, babe?”

“Yeah, give me a minute.” I walk to the staff bathroom and change clothes, then re-apply some make up. I spray myself with my new Vera Wang perfume, and I’m good to go.

“Okay, let’s go.” I say as I walk out, my bag in hand. I say bye to Tag and Jade, and walk out side by side with Ryan.

He pulls out of the car park. “What do you feel like eating?”

“Creamy chicken and mash potatoes,” I answer instantly.

He chuckles deeply. “I know just the place.”

“So, what’s new with you?”

“Nothing, same old. Work hard, play hard.”

“We all know you play hard. I was at your place the other night,” I tease.

“Oh, like you’re all innocent. Oh, Reid! Reid!” he imitates, causing me to burst out laughing, my face turning a little red.

“Are you blushing? You’re the only girl I know that still blushes.”

“Yeah, right!”

“I’m serious. Most girls are forward these days, they don’t blush or get shy.”

“Maybe the women you hang around.”