This Time Around (Maybe #2)(45)

“And no thanks on the drink. I’ll grab something when we head out.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m not really thirsty. I’m sure I will be later though,” I say, my tone making an innocent sentence sound extremely dirty.

His lips curve into a panty-dropping smile, and I watch as he goes about his business, closing up and emptying the cash register. About fifteen minutes passes before he walks back over and lifts me off the stool.

“Let’s go feed my girl.”





Chapter Twenty-Five

Taiya

The next morning, I don’t know why the f*ck Sarah is standing by my car, but it’s taking everything in me to not jump into my car and run her over. I don’t know what went wrong along the way with our friendship, but as far as I’m concerned, she can go to hell. I know I’m a good person. I’ve never screwed anyone over or betrayed anyone. I’m as loyal as they come, and I deserve a friend that is more than a trifling whore with a thing for my husband.

“What do you want?” I snap, looking for my keys in my oversized handbag.

She purses her lips. “Can’t an old friend say hello?”

I laugh without humour. “Cut the shit. What do you want? To convince me Ryan slept with you? Because we all know that’s bullshit.”

“You don’t know shit, Taiya,” Sarah says angrily, her cheeks going red.

“I know that you can go get f*cked,” I tell her, finally finding my keys, pulling them out and pressing the button to open the car door.

“Fine, we never slept together. I’ll admit it. I lied. But I kissed Ryan more than once. Maybe you should ask him about that?” she sneers, a look of hate appearing on her face.

“What the f*ck did I ever do to you?”

She shrugs. “Everything came so easy to you. You deserved to be taken down a notch.”

“It’s not high school anymore, Sarah. Grow the f*ck up and move on with your life.” With that, I get into my car and drive off.

Her words run through my mind on the way home. Could she have been telling the truth? Ryan told me he hadn’t seen her again. However, I suppose I’d be stupid to blindly believe everything a man tells me. I push Sarah out of my mind and turn up the volume on the radio. John Legend’s ‘All of Me’ plays and I sing along with the music. I drive to the supermarket to pick up a few things for the house, and then head straight home. Ryan said we can start fixing up the studio next week, and I can’t wait. I still can’t believe he did this for me, such a huge gesture. It’s like all of a sudden, everything is going perfectly in my life and I’m not going to let anyone walk in and ruin it for me. Ryan and I deserve our happily ever after.

*****

I can tell something has upset Xander by the way he’s brooding, but I don’t know if it’s my place or not to ask him. I’m at the bar, waiting for Ryan to finish work. I turn and watch Xander, who is sitting all alone at the farthest table. After he slams his phone down on the table, I slide into the seat opposite him.

“Is everything okay?” I ask softly, my gaze dropping to the tattoos covering his neck. His whole neck is now pretty much covered. I never thought I would have found that attractive, but on him, it looks hot. He also seems a lot older than his age. I know he’s a few years younger than me. He’s definitely an old soul; I can tell that by looking into his eyes. Xander is an enigma, that’s for sure. Something tells me there is more to him than his tough exterior.

He sucks in his lips and eyes me warily. “Not really.”

Okaaaaay then. “If you want to talk, I’m a good listener.”

Silence. He picks up his beer and takes a sip, tilting his head back. The silence gets a little awkward, and I’m just about to stand and leave when he finally speaks.

“I like Sephie,” is all he says, looking down at the table.

I frown. “So that’s a good thing, right?”

He pauses, then leans back in his chair. “It was.”

“And now it isn’t?” I ask, trying to read between the lines of his vague comment.

He stares at me with his hazel eyes, and I shift in my seat, a little unnerved by being pinned by his steady gaze. “Ryan’s a lucky man, you know.”

My eyes widen. That’s not what I expected him to say at all. “Thank you.”

His lip twitches, before he slowly nods his head. “Summer really likes you.”

I smile. “I really like her too. By the way, don’t think I didn’t notice the subject change.”

Xander chuckles, and it’s a deep husky sound. “I know. Bottom line is Seph and I aren’t going to work out.”

“Why?” I ask nosily, probably overstepping my bounds. I can’t help but be curious. They only met recently, so I don’t know what it could be that already has them pulling away.

His gaze darkens, and I instantly regret asking, not that he answers me anyway. Instead, Ryan, who walks up to the table and tells me we can leave if I’m ready, saves him. I stand up, stop at Xander, lean down and give him a kiss on the cheek. Then I take Ryan’s hand and leave to go home.

*****

“Who are you again?” Isis asks me, standing at the door with her arms crossed.

I wince. “I know I haven’t been here and I’m sorry. I’m the worst roomie ever. I know.”