This Time Around (Maybe #2)(26)

“I wouldn’t know since it’s been that long since I got any,” she mumbles, pushing her blonde hair behind her ear.

“Tag still doesn’t want a piece, eh?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. Tag just isn’t interested.

“No, and don’t ask me when he got standards.”

I laugh at that, to the point where one of the customers looks at me like I’m crazy.

“I’m assuming that cheesy grin is all about Taiya?”

“You’d be guessing right.”

“Good. I’m happy for you,” she says, slapping my shoulder, and then commences to pour a tequila shot.

“Who’s that for?” I ask her just as she downs it. “Really, Jade?”

“What? I finish in an hour,” she says, shrugging. Face meet palm. What did Reece see in her again?

I turn away from her, not about to allow her to ruin my great mood. “You can go home now.”

“Cool,” she says, clocking out and walking around to the other side of the bar. She plops down on the stool in front of me and grins. “Three tequilas please.”

I stare at her for a second before I pour her one and slide it over to her. “That’s all you’re getting.”

I’m saved from whatever smart ass remark she was going to throw my way when Tag walks in, early for his shift. Saved by the bald dude.

“Tag!” I say, louder than necessary, but I can’t help it, Jade’s mood swings are trying to bring me down.

“Happy to see me?” he asks, his eyes darting to Jade knowingly.

“Always,” I say, grinning at him impishly.

He studies me for a second. “Someone got laid.” I chuckle, but say nothing. I’m a gentleman after all. “You have this glow about you,” he says in a mock high-pitched female voice, gesturing to his face in a circular motion.

“You worry me, Tag,” I say through laughter. “Why are you here early? Just can’t get enough of me, huh?”

He looks down, scowling. “Karen picked up Bella a little earlier, so I was sitting in the house doing nothing.”

“Say no more,” I say, putting my hands up. Tag hates sharing custody of his daughter.

“Do you want something to drink? Juice box?” I ask, pointing to Summer’s stash.

“Don’t mind if I do,” he answers. I take out a juice box and throw it to him, turning to the counter to serve a customer. It starts to get busy, so Tag helps until the bar is cleared. Summer walks in an hour later, carrying her books.

“How was class?” I ask.

“Hectic. Did Reid drop by?” she asks, shoving her bag and books under the counter.

“He’s still at the gym with Xander and Dash. Said he’d be here in an hour.” Summer kisses Tag on the cheek and says hello to Jade. She takes me by the arm and pulls me into the office.

“How did it go?” she asks, her eyes sparking with excitement.

“Perfect, everything went perfect,” I say, knowing I must look like a love sick puppy. I really couldn’t care less.

“Yes!” she cheers, doing a little happy dance. She looks up at me, the biggest smile on her face. Almost as big as the one I’ve been wearing since the second I woke up. “I knew she wouldn’t turn you down.”

Well, I’m glad she had faith.

“When’s she moving in?” And this is why Summer and I are friends.

“I think she wants to take it a little slower than that, but we’ll see.”

“You’ll wear her down,” she says confidently.

I sure as hell hope so.

*****

I pick up some dinner on the way home and go straight to Taiya’s. Isis opens the door, wearing a robe, a towel wrapped around her hair.

“Hey stud,” she says in greeting, opening the door for me to enter.

“Hey Isis. Thanks for last night,” I cringe when I realise how that sounds. “For leaving the place so Taiya and I could be alone.” I rang her up that morning to plan.

She nods. “No problem, anything to make Taiya happy.”

I eye her. “And you were sure that would?”

She smiles knowingly. “She could deny it all she wanted. I knew she was crazy about you.”

“Well, thank you all the same,” I say, turning to Taiya’s room.

Isis clears her throat. “In case you feel like you owe me, I know how you can repay.”

I turn to look at her again, more warily this time. “What do you want?”

“Is Tag single?” she asks, trying to act nonchalant. Tag? Perhaps he should start a fan club.

“He’s single, yes.”

“Okay,” she says, and turns to leave. Okay then. I walk to Taiya’s door and open it, only to find it empty.

“Where’s Taiya?” I call out, putting the food on the side table. Isis walks into the room, her damp red hair hanging down her shoulders.

“Oh, right. She went to see her mum. She should be home any minute.”

“Okay, why didn’t you tell me that?” I ask curiously.

“You didn’t ask.” Right, okay.

“I see,” I answer slowly, drawing out the words.

“You don’t, but you will,” she says cryptically before walking away. I take my T-shirt off and jump into Taiya’s bed.