Everything was great until his hands found her muffin top. That’s when she was pushed away and he stepped back, his face a mask of disgust. The only reason she accepted the ride was because of the threatening storm. She spent the entire ride staring out the window, willing her tears not to fall. She rushed out of the car when they got to her house and ran inside, making it to her room just as the first tear came. Carly was there with her best friend, Ashley, doing whatever they did. Taylyn had just plopped on her bed facedown, crying into her pillow. She didn’t hear them leave the room, closing the door behind them. Carly tried all night to get her to talk, but Taylyn would only answer with silence or say that she was fine. She never told anyone about the humiliation, not even her two best friends.
Taylyn found herself looking at the large bottle of Moscato on the top shelf. Why are they always on the top shelf? She sighed and reached for it, standing on her tiptoes but still missing the mark by a few inches. Taylyn felt a hard body shimmy up behind her, pressing into her back. A large hand appeared above her own and grasped the small handle on the bottle she was reaching for. A brush of warm air on her neck preceded the words, “I got it.”
Fuck! She knew that voice. Why did it have to be Declan?
Taylyn felt his warm body leave hers as he stepped back. She turned to face him, groaning internally at the first sight of his handsome face. “Thanks.” She extended her hands to take the bottle from him, but he pulled it back. She squinted, wrinkled her nose, and pursed her lips. “You did get it off the shelf for me, right?” Her annoyance grew with every breath. It had been a long day, and she didn’t need this shit. She turned back toward the shelf, then he finally spoke up.
“Yah, it’s yours. Is this your cart? The one with the apples, chicken, cucumbers, and batteries? Lots of batteries . . .”
Shit! Her face heated up. She bit her lip, then released a frustrated breath. “Yah, that’s mine. Thanks again.” Grabbing her cart by the front, she pulled it toward her. “I guess I’ll see ya around. Welcome back. Sorry to hear about your knee.” There. She was polite—almost friendly, she thought. She started walking away.
“Tay, wait!”
Dammit, she was so close to making a clean getaway, but being this close to him was doing funny things to her body. She didn’t like the butterflies in her stomach or the way her heart sped up at the pleading tone in voice. She definitely didn’t like the crack she felt in the wall around her heart.
Don’t do it, don’t turn around. Just keep walking.
She turned around, and he was right there in front of her, a devilish grin on his face. The shimmer to those caramel eyes made her knees weak and her heart race. “So, I was thinking, maybe we could go out sometime? Get a drink and catch up? I haven’t seen you since I left for—”
The ringing of her phone cut off his words. Tay gave an apologetic shrug before reaching for her phone. It was Ella. She might be able to use that to her advantage. “Hey, babe, I’m at the store now. Did you need anything?” Declan’s face dropped, and he took a couple of steps back. What was that all about? She continued speaking to Ella, “Yah, I got the chicken. Oh, I forgot the marinade. Thanks, Ben.”
Declan opened his mouth, then shut it. He shrugged and walked away with his head down and shoulders slumped. A pang of shame flowed through her before she was drawn back to the phone call and Ella questioning her, “Tay? What the hell are you talking about?”
Taylyn waited until he was out of hearing range and lowered her voice just to be safe. “Sorry, Declan was standing here in front of me and he had just asked me to get a drink with him. I was . . . well, ya know.”
“No, I don’t know. Why would you call me ‘babe’ if he’s asking you out?”
“Because. Because I . . . I’m done with relationships. And. Um. I don’t know.” Taylyn was flustered. She really didn’t know why she was pretending Ella was her boyfriend. She didn’t understand why it was so important that Declan think she was unavailable. She just knew she needed to have some solid reason for why she could never be alone with him. He was dangerous. He made her feel things she didn't want to feel.
“Whatever. Are you coming to JD’s tonight for karaoke?”
“No, I have to study. I have a big exam tomorrow and I need to ace it. I’m just about done here, then I’m going home. Next week, I promise!”
“Okay, but you said that last week and the week before that. Come to think of it, you haven’t been there in months. What gives?”
Leave it to Ella to ask the difficult question. Taylyn sighed. “I’ve been busy between work, classes, and those Saturday shifts at the nook.”
“If you say so. Love ya. Call me later.”
“I will. Love ya too. Bye.” Taylyn replaced the phone to her purse then headed for the cash register. She looked up to see Declan watching her. He showed her a small smile, waved, then turned to leave the store.
Taylyn was putting her bags in the back seat when she heard a motorcycle pull up behind her Blazer then cut the engine off. She turned to see Declan sitting on a black bike. She looked the bike over as she walked up to him. “Well, at least it’s not a crotch rocket. Nice bike.”
Declan laughed for a moment, then his face got serious again. “Oh, I do have a crotch rocket.” He looked down at his lap. “Wanna go for a ride?”
Taylyn followed his gaze and saw the large bulge he indicated. She rolled her eyes and scolded herself for falling for the oldest trick in the book. “Does that line actually work?”
“I dunno. You tell me.”
She rolled her eyes again, already annoyed with the conversation and really needing to put distance between herself and the devil of temptation. Damn, did he have to look so good on that Sportster? “No, it doesn’t. Look, I gotta go. I need to get home. I have studying to do and wedding favors to make.”
The look on his face pulled at her heart, and another crack formed in that wall. “You’re getting married?” He spoke in a whisper and sounded so hurt.
Why would he be hurt? Why would he care?
“No, not me. Carly, my sister. I’m her slave of honor.”
“Slave of honor? I don’t get it.”
“Maid of honor, only I get to do every little fucking task that no one else wants to do. So I have wedding favors to make, seating charts to plan, and head counts to give to the caterer and venue.”
“Oh, well, that’s good.” He flinched. “Wait, that came out wrong. I didn’t mean it was a good thing you were a slave . . . Shit! I meant I’m glad you’re not getting married.”
What the hell is wrong with him? Maybe it’s that concussion syndrome thing? Was he always this awkward? He’s kinda cute when he’s blushing. Oh, who was she kidding? He was more than cute, blushing or not.
“Whatever, dude, I really need to go. Could you get out of my way so I can? Thanks.” Taylyn plastered a fake smile on her face.
“Yah, sure. So, about that drink?’
Taylyn shook her head no, then turned to get into the car. She heard the bike start up and pull away. Letting out a sigh of relief, she started the Blazer, its belts doing that horrible squeal. She needed to stay far away from Mr. Declan Sullivan before she made the biggest mistake of her life. There was no way she was getting into another relationship, especially with a guy who had already hurt her once.
She wasn’t going to give him another chance.
Chapter 8
Taylyn relaxed against the back of the couch, propping her feet up on the coffee table before opening her laptop. Today was the first day she’d had nothing to do in over two weeks. Between working full time, going to school at night, her sister’s wedding, and the Saturday shifts at The Corner Nook, she was stretched thin.
The chime for a calendar reminder on her phone had her reaching for it. She swiped to unlock the screen, and there it was. Shit, she forgot she had an appointment with her new probation officer today. So much for that free day.
She opened her emails, deleting the junk mail before scro
lling through her new messages. Clicking on the email from JD’s with the subject line referring to Carly’s bachelorette party, she read through it. Just a confirmation of the party time, date, and asking for a final headcount. They were offering signature drinks as part of the party package and advised her to contact them so a sample testing could be set up. Taylyn jotted down the number listed, then finished going through the rest of her emails.
With a fresh cup of coffee, it was on to the phone calls now. First up, a call to the Matron of Honor to discuss shopping for the bachelorette party next week. With a pen in one hand, Taylyn dialed Ashley’s number. She gave an inner snort-laugh as she thought of how the pending call would go. Oh, I have no time to shop. Can you just do it? The kids have— Fill in the blank with some lie or another, the same way every shared task had gone. A third ring sounded. Bitch is going to let it go to voicemail. Rolling her eyes, she listened to the singsong voice deliver a cutesy greeting. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, she reminded herself to play nice. The beep told her it was time to leave another message.
“Hi, Ashley. It’s Taylyn again. Listen, I was thinking we could get together and do the shopping for the bachelorette party. Tomorrow after I get out of work at two, does that work for you? Let me know, this needs to be done soon. The party is next Friday! Call me back, thanks!”
Hitting End Call, she tossed her phone to the cushion beside her and picked up a couple of apple chips from the bag. What she wouldn’t give for a cupcake right now. It figured the one task Ashley was happy to do was the cake tasting. “Well, it’s not like you want to ruin your diet or anything. How’s that going, anyway?” Ashley had stated at the time. It was going just fine; she was down a whole twenty pounds, and her Fit Buddy at the gym seemed happy with her progress. Ashley was not being invited to the cocktail sample tasting; two could play at that game.
She was dreading the call to JD’s. She knew she’d probably have to talk to Declan about the sample tasting since he had taken over running the bar. It had been a week since she’d seen him, and she still got the flutters when he crossed her mind. Maybe she should have Ashley come with her, she’d draw his attention away. Nah, she’d face it alone. Everything would be fine. Well, here goes nothing.
Taylyn dialed the number from the email. Declan’s deep voice answered after two rings. “JD’s Tavern, this is Declan. How can I help you?”
“Hi, Declan, it’s Taylyn. I’m calling about the signature drinks for Carly’s bachelorette party. I don’t remember that being part of the package when I booked the space. Is there an extra cost?”
“No, there’s no extra cost. It’s a new promotion I’m doing as part of the revamp. You know I took the bar over from my dad, right? I have a lot of changes planned for the place.”
“Yah, Autumn told me your parents retired and moved to Arizona to be with your grandparents. How’s your gram doing?”
“She had another stroke a few weeks ago but is recovering. Slowly. I’m not sure how much longer she’ll be with us.” Taylyn heard the cracking in his voice as he spoke. He always had a special relationship with his gram.
“I’m sorry, Declan. I know how close you are to her. I’m surprised you came back to Silverton and didn’t just go to Arizona to be with her.”
“Yah, well someone had to take over the bar, and my southwestern born and raised mama had enough of these New England winters.”
“Can’t say I blame her. I’ve had enough of them too!” She laughed along with him.
“So, about the signature drink. What kind of theme, if any, is the wedding? What colors is she using? I can make up like four samples for you to try.”
“Well, her wedding theme is ‘fairy princess,’ and her colors are blushing pink and bashful rose.”
“Fairytale princess, got it. Which one? Cinderella? Sleeping Beauty—she has the pink gown, right? Or that new one . . . what’s it called? With the snowman.”
“You’re thinking of Frozen. It’s not a fairytale princess, it’s a fairy princess. Ya know, like with wings and pixie dust.”
“Like Tinkerbell?”
“Yes! Like Tinkerbell but with more glitter.”
“Glitter? You want to bring glitter into my bar. Really, glitter?”
“Why, do you not like glitter?”
“Uh, not really. And not in my bar for sure.”
“In that case, yes, I totally want to bring glitter into your bar!” She laughed at his groan.
“All right, so fairy princess with pink and rose colors. I’ll look for some drinks. Can you stop by later today for a sampling? Say around four?”
“Don’t forget the glitter!”
“Yah, yah, and glitter. It’s a good thing I’m getting the carpet replaced after the party or I’d never get the glitter out of here. You know you’re responsible for the cleanup, right?”
“Oh, you poor delusional man. If you think me cleaning up and you replacing the carpeting will get rid of the glitter . . . Yah, that’s just not gonna happen. JD’s will always be haunted by the ghosts of glitter past.” She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at his frustrated growl.
“I’m gonna have to put a no glitter clause in all future party room contracts. So, four o’clock this afternoon, does that work for you?”
Taylyn let a giggle escape her at the tone of resignation in his voice. She liked this fun banter with him, but she needed to stop before she did something she’d regret. “Yah, four should work. I’ll see ya then.”
“Great! It’s a date! See ya at four.”
“It’s not a date!” Taylyn screeched just a bit too late as the call ended before she could finish talking. That son of a bitch. It was not a date. No. This was simply a taste testing, another chore for the slave of honor. It was not a date no matter how much the butterflies fluttered and her heart sped up at the word. It wasn’t, it couldn’t be, because Taylyn didn’t date anyone anymore.
Not even Declan.
Chapter 9
Declan glanced at the clock for the twentieth time in the past ten minutes. She was late. Maybe she wasn’t coming? He had pulled this taste test scheme out of left field. It wasn’t a new thing he was doing for parties, it was a way to get a little one-on-one time with Taylyn. He thought it had worked, but evidently not since she wasn’t here. Yet.
His hands shook just a little as he rearranged the four drinking glasses and supplies. What was he thinking? He should have known Taylyn would see right through this ploy. With a sigh, he checked the clock again. Fifteen minutes after four. She wasn’t coming.
“Dude, chill.”
Declan looked over at James sitting at the other end of the bar. “What?”
“You need to chill. She said she’d be here, she’ll be here. I mean, who is going to say no to free drinks?”
“I’m chill!”
James’s bold laughter echoed around the room. “Right, keep telling yourself that.”
Annoyance filled Declan. He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you have something else to do besides sitting here giving me shit?”
“Nope.”
Asshole.
The front door opened, allowing the late-afternoon sun to spill into the dimly lit building. Taylyn looked around, then made her way over to the bar. Declan’s heart sped up at the sight of her. Her hair was down, just the way he liked it. The black V-neck tee she was wearing hugged her chest like a second skin. Her long legs were covered in tight stonewashed denim with knee-high black leather books. She looked like a badass. All she needed was leather jacket and helmet, then he could ride off into the sunset with her on the back of his bike.
His mouth went dry. He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants and heard light laughter from the other end of the bar. Declan ignored his friend and focused on the angel in front of him.
“Hey, sorry I'm late. My appointment ran a little longer than expected.”
“Oh, are you late? I hadn’t noticed.”
Another laugh came from James. Declan shot him a dirty l
ook and silently begged him to stop with the teasing. He refocused on Taylyn, trying desperately to calm his nerves or at least get his hands to stop shaking. “So, I was able to find four drinks that are either princess or fairy themed.”
“Cool. Oh, and this is not a date.”
“Huh?”
“You said ‘it’s a date’ when we were on the phone. I’m telling you it’s not a date. We are not dating.”
“We could—”
“No. We will not.”
James snickered. Declan sent him yet another look, this time mouthing the words ‘fuck you’ to hammer his point home.
“Why not? Look, I know you’re not seeing anyone. I’m not sure why you pretended on the phone at the store last week. Why are you acting like you hate me?”
Something Real Page 4