Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(40)

Taylor peeked around my frame. “Honey, never admit that to a crowded room.”

I swung my gaze down to Taylor. “You aren’t helping.”

Caitlin’s face grew even redder. “You bitch!” She lunged.

Thankfully, Tuck had spotted the start of a scene and made his way over just in time to catch Caitlin around the waist. “Now, now,” he said. “That’s not behavior befitting a lady.”

“Let me go!”

“Not until you calm down.” Tuck turned to me. “She’s probably just hangry.”

I raised a brow. “Hangry?”

Taylor piped up again. “You know, when you’re so hungry, it makes you angry.”

Tuck extended a finger, pointing at Taylor. “This one, I like. Are you the infamous Taylor perchance?”

Taylor beamed. “I am. I’d shake your hand, but I don’t want to get kicked.”

Caitlin was indeed throwing a righteous fit, kicking her legs and slapping at Tuck’s arm secured around her middle. I looked heavenward. “Jesus.”

Tuck turned a shit-eating grin on Taylor. “I’m Tucker, but everyone calls me Tuck, Walker’s partner in crime since childhood.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too, dollface.” Tuck turned his attention back to the hissing creature in his arms. “You gonna calm down?”

“No, you asshole. Let me down.”

Just then, Nina appeared with three boxes of donuts. “Here you go, Walker. Tuck, you can set her down outside, because after going after a paying customer like that, she’s banned.”

“Nina,” Caitlin whined. “You can’t do that.”

“You bet your ass, I can. Now get.”

Tuck took Cait right out the front door. The restaurant clapped.

Bridgette stomped up to me, drilling a finger into my chest. “That was cruel, Walker Cole. You know she’s in love with you.”

I cringed, removing Bridgette’s finger. “Bridgette, I didn’t mean to hurt her. Sometimes, relationships just don’t work out.”

Bridgette eyed Taylor up and down, her lip curling. “You’re going to regret leaving Caitlin for that cheap trash.” My jaw tightened, but before I could say a word, she turned on her heel and stomped out the door.

“You certainly know how to keep things interesting, Cole,” Taylor said, and then promptly dissolved into a fit of laughter so strong she was doubled over.

“Get it together so we can get out of here before Caitlin plots her return.”

Taylor rested a hand on my shoulder to right herself and tried to take deep breaths to slow her laughter. “I’m sorry. It’s just… You dated that crazy?”

I ground my teeth together. “It wasn’t that serious.” She quirked a brow, and I felt the need to defend myself overtake me. “I was clear about wanting to take things slow. She seemed to be down with that.”

“Until she wasn’t, right?”

“Right. I missed the signs that she was ready to get married next week.”

Taylor glanced out the front door. “I shouldn’t be laughing. Every girl has that guy they want but know they’ll never have.”

My gut burned. Taylor seemed to be talking from experience. An image of some guy showing up on Taylor’s doorstep with flowers and apologies, begging her to take him back, filled my mind. It made me want to punch something. I hated the idea of her with anyone else. Anyone but me.

Shit. Slow. I needed to take things slow. Snail’s pace, I reminded myself. I shook my head in an attempt to rid my brain of the thoughts that would get me nowhere.

Tuck swept back in the front door. “You’re good to go. They took off.”

“Thanks, man.”

“No problem. Enjoy the lake.” He turned his gaze to Taylor, eyes twinkling. “It was lovely to meet you.”

“You, too. Thanks for saving me from the bitch attack.”

Tuck chuckled. “Anytime.”

Taylor held open the door for me and my stack of donuts, but over her shoulder said, “Let’s hope it’s only necessary once.”

With that, we headed out. The drive to the lake was short, and by the time we got there, my dad had the boat ready to go. There were a handful of private docks scattered around the shore, and we were lucky enough to have one.

“The donuts have arrived,” I called as Taylor followed me down the dock.

Noah jumped, shooting a fist in the air. “Yes! Donuts! I want a chocolate one with sprinkles!”

I grinned at my nephew. “I got extra sprinkle ones just for you.”

“You’re the best, Uncle Walker!”

Jensen strode up, taking one of the boxes of donuts. “Just for that, you can put him to bed tonight when he’s bouncing off the walls on a sugar high.”

I ruffled her hair, and she elbowed me in the side. “Do you see what I have to put up with?” she called to Taylor.

“It’s a travesty,” Taylor answered.

Jensen pulled her into a hug. “Glad you came.” I saw Taylor stiffen slightly but then relax. I felt a swell of pride. My family was good for Taylor.

“He didn’t really give me a choice.”

Jensen threw her head back in a laugh. “Us Coles are stubborn you-know-whats, aren’t we?”