by Willow Aster
“Of course that’s fine. I’ll be busy working on the project and we’ll probably barely see one another.”
“I’d like to patch things up with you and with Caden. I know I’ve been terrible to him. Maybe the four of us could go on a double date sometime soon? You know, as a way of moving forward and showing you I’m good with everything.”
I walk toward the door and he stands. “Sure. I’d like that.”
“Me too. I’ll talk to Lydia and shoot you a text later today to get something on the calendar. I want to make things right, Cosi.”
I’m genuinely surprised by the gesture. I’d be thrilled to put all of this awkwardness behind us.
“That would be great. Thank you.”
He leans forward and hugs me. “I’ll see you soon.” He winks before leaving the office, and I feel like things are finally coming together.
The design meeting with Uncle Gerard went as well as I could have hoped. My mother sat in the meeting just to observe, but she didn’t interject even one time, which surprised me. She seems really thrilled that I’ve taken this project on, and she’s busy redoing their residential space, so she shouldn’t bother me too much when it comes to the lobby project.
I have a text from Caden asking me to meet him and his brothers at Mean Mug when I get out of my meeting. He says it’s important, and I message him right back to let him know I’m on my way.
As I walk down the sidewalk, I’m thankful that it’s a quieter evening than usual. I check my messages to see if my father’s called, and he still has yet to return my call. I dial my Aunt Chavon and get her voicemail.
Again.
So far I’ve just left messages letting her know I miss her and I’m thinking of her. I know she’s got to be quite stressed with Uncle Perry being in the hospital, but I need her to call me back because I’m getting more and more concerned about my father.
“Hi, Aunt Chavon. It’s me, and I’m sending all my love to you and Uncle Perry. I know you have a lot going on and I just wanted to see if you could possibly just give me a quick call back. I’m a little worried about Dad, and I know he’s just there to be supportive, so I’m probably being selfish.” I pause, feeling bad to be rambling with all she’s going through. “Um, but if you could just give me a quick call to let me know he’s okay, it would be so appreciated. I love you.”
I end the call as I open the door to Mean Mug and see Caden, Gus, Spence, and Jesse sitting at a high-top table. I assumed Mya and Emma would be here, and I’m hoping they’re on their way over. The three of us have grown really close, and I enjoy all the time I get to spend with them.
“Hey,” I say, as I make my way to the table. Caden jumps up and wraps his arms around me and kisses me hard.
“Missed you, lover.” He laughs when I tangle my fingers into his hair and hold him there.
“Lucky for you Louie François is not here right now. The cockblocker would not appreciate this”—Gus waves his hand in the air toward us—“public fornication. I feel like I’m watching a porno.”
“Get your head out of the gutter,” Spence hisses, and smiles at me.
Caden guides me to the chair beside his and I drop to sit. “Where’s Mya and Emma?” I ask.
“Working late. They’ll meet us here if they get out of there soon. But we wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Okay,” I say skeptically, and Caden finds my hand beneath the table.
“We’re thinking of taking on multiple projects, you know, with the four of us and Penelope thinking about joining us after graduation. She can take on a lot of the finance stuff that Jesse’s been doing, so he can take on more responsibility overseeing the projects,” Spence says, as he holds his hand up for the server.
We all pause and order our cocktails and a few appetizers as I wait to find out where Spence is going with this.
When the server walks away, Jesse jumps in. “We want to have a full-time designer. Someone that has the same vision as we do.”
“Jeez, spit it out, people. Cosi, we want you,” Gus says with a wink. “Join the G.D. Taylors and help us grow this company.”
I laugh because they all look so nervous and I’m absolutely honored that they want me to be part of the team.
“Way to put pressure on her, dickwanker. We were supposed to just introduce the idea. You shot your wad,” Caden says as he rolls his eyes.
Gus smacks the table. “I did not shoot my wad, you douchecake. I’m a straight shooter. I’m not the one who had to start out fake dating my girlfriend before I finally made shit happen.”
My head falls back in laughter as the server sets a plate of nachos and tater tots in the center of the table and places our cocktails in front of us. I reach for my Chardonnay as Gus gasps.
“Is that a motherfucking olive in my cocktail?” He jumps to his feet and shouts to the bartender. “James! You know how I feel about olives. What are you fucking thinking?”
James is laughing along with the rest of us now, well, aside from Gus.
“Sorry about that, Gussy. I have Sasha here training, and I must have forgotten to fill her in on your oddly dramatic fear of olives,” James, the bartender, shouts back and waves for the waiter to bring the cocktail back.
“Must you always make such a scene?” Spence asks, as he piles some nachos on his plate. “Anyway, Cosi, Gus didn’t quite stick to the plan, but what he said is true. We want to expand, and we’d love you to be part of the team.”
“You’re talented as hell, and we’d be lucky to have you work with us,” Jesse says. “But Caden threatened our lives that we weren’t supposed to pressure you in any way. We know you work with your mother, and you could still have other side jobs that you could take on.”
“But we would keep you really busy, and we’re a hell of a lot more fun than your mother,” Gus says, as he searches the glass when the server places the fresh cocktail in front of him. He finally nods his approval.
“Dude, that’s her mother. Be respectful. Cos, it’s a lot to think about. Take as much time as you need. It’s just another opportunity to consider, but if you aren’t up for it, we will understand,” Caden says.
He’s so protective and thoughtful that my heart threatens to explode.
Working with the Taylor brothers would be an amazing opportunity. They’re creative and each talented in their own right. I’m excited at the thought.
I turn to face Caden. “Thank you for being you.”
“Hey, what about me? Why does he get all the praise?” Gus whines and I turn to face him.
“I was getting to you next.” I laugh.
“Thank God. I hate being second fiddle.”
“You are such a needy little bastard sometimes,” Spence says as he turns his attention to me.
“Honestly, I’m really flattered. I love the idea of working with you all as you build this company. Let me have some time to think this over and try to figure out how that would work with my mother.”
“Sounds great. Totally fair,” Jesse says, because he’s the most agreeable.
“All right. How about you get back to us at the end of the week?” Spence says, because he’s used to calling the shots. He’s not about to leave the timeline wide open.
“Just say yes, Cosi. You know you want to,” Gus says, because he’s not used to anyone turning him down.
“You do whatever is best for you, lover,” Caden whispers in my ear, because he loves me more than anyone ever has.
Chapter Twenty-One
Caden
Going on a double date with Jeremy dicktrap Toussaint is the last thing I want to be doing tonight, but Cosette is so excited about the possibility that the bastard has moved on, I can’t bear to put a damper on her hopes.
“Thank you for doing this,” she says, kissing my cheek as we step out of the Uber in front of Dussaint Cafe.
I already don’t trust Jeremy’s intentions and knowing he chose his restaurant for this outing just makes me more suspicious. I’m be
ing petty as fuck. Cosi looks up at me so hopefully, I feel guilty for my foul thoughts.
“Of course. This ought to be interesting.” I try to hide the irritation from my tone.
“He seems to really be into this girl. I want that for him,” she says, as I hold the door open for her.
I know that being here is bringing up the fact that Cosette has still not heard from her father. She intertwines her fingers with mine as we step inside.
“Cosette, so nice to see you,” the hostess greets us and I nod my greeting. She leads us to the back of the restaurant and we follow. The place is packed and the cocktails are flowing. It smells like warm bread and honey and my stomach rumbles. I haven’t been here since the opening, and I’m guessing Jeremy is running the show right now with Alban out of the country. I’m surprised he wants to meet here, as I’d assume that would make him very accessible to his employees. Doesn’t seem like a relaxing situation for a date. Unless he’s doing this intentionally to show Cosette just how important he is.
I wouldn’t put anything past the dicksteak.
When we approach the table, Jeremy appears to be in deep conversation with his date. They both look up and push to their feet when they see us.
“Cosi, thank you for agreeing to have dinner with us. Caden, I’m hoping we can repair this little rift we’ve had between us. Let me introduce you both to my lovely lady, Lydia.” He holds his hand out as if he’s presenting us with a gift.
Douchesack.
“I’ve heard so much about you both. It’s nice to finally meet you,” she purrs, and her gaze locks with mine. I look away because her intense stare makes me instantly uncomfortable.
And how could he possibly have told her much about me? The dude doesn’t even know me. My guard is up.
She reaches for Cosette’s hand but then tugs her in for a hug instead. My girlfriend is beaming when they pull away because she’s so pleased that this woman wants to be her friend. I’m not buying it. First off, who’s this excited to meet the ex? They clearly haven’t been together long, because Jeremy has been calling Cosette incessantly up until this recent announcement about his sudden girlfriend.
Lydia turns to me and does the same thing. She wraps her arms around my neck while Jeremy pulls Cosette into his arms and hugs her. I’m watching, which he probably doesn’t expect, because his so-called girlfriend is pressing her rock-hard tits against me, and she blows a breath into my ear.
And did she just lick my earlobe?
What the fuck?
I pull away quickly and shoot her a look of disapproval. She smirks as if we’re playing some sort of fucking cat and mouse game.
We’re not.
I’m not Jeremy. I don’t fuck around on my girl, nor do I have any interest in anyone but Cosette. So the little temptress can play her cards all day long, but I won’t be taking part.
I reach for Cosette’s chair and pull it out for her as we sit beside one another at the table. Lydia takes the seat across from me, and Jeremy sits across from Cosette.
“I can’t believe how packed it is here tonight. Business is good even with my father gone,” my girlfriend says, as she gazes around the room.
“That’s why I wanted to eat here. If they need me, I hope you’ll all excuse me. But I’m basically running the show right now.”
“I thought you hired a manager to run the place?” I ask before I can stop myself, and Cosette squeezes my hand beneath the table. It’s not a nice question, but I know he’s up to something and I’m not going to stand by while he plays games with us.
I find it ridiculous that he has no real job, yet he insisted that they hire someone to run the restaurant because he couldn’t be bothered. Alban has given him this great opportunity, but he just wants to show up and walk around and look important. Not do any of the real work.
“Well, I’m only one man. And with me taking on a lot of the responsibility at the other restaurants in Alban’s absence, I need to have someone I can trust to be my eyes and ears when I’m pulled away.” He holds his hand up and snaps his finger for the server.
The dude has no class.
We all order cocktails, and I don’t miss that Jeremy already has one drink in his hand and has ordered another double. I hope this isn’t a replay of our last dinner together, because I’d hate for him to make a fool of himself at his place of work.
His date, Lydia, orders a shot of tequila and asks Cosette and me if we’d like one. We both decline and order a glass of wine. Lydia gets a whiskey as well, so I’m guessing this is going to be an interesting night.
We go ahead and place our orders for dinner, and the dickdong proceeds to order for my girlfriend.
“Cosi would like the seabass,” he says. I let out a long slow breath, but before I can speak, she interrupts.
“Um, I can order for myself, Jeremy. That is not what I’ll be having,” she says to the waiter.
“Old habits.” He shrugs.
“You never ordered for me,” Cosi says as she scans the menu before settling on the filet.
“Sorry, darling, may I order for you?” he asks his date and she nods emphatically.
Every time I look up, Lydia is staring at me with this come-fuck-me look in her eyes, and it pisses me off. Cosette does not seem to notice, as she’s just happy to be buying into the story that he’s moved on to find his own happily ever after.
I get it. If Jeremy is happy, that takes the pressure off Cossette with her mother and Jeremy’s mother. But the dude is clearly up to something, even if my girl doesn’t want to see it.
A foot finds my shin and moves beneath my pant leg, and I jump just enough for Cosette to turn and look at me.
“Are you okay?” she asks as the waiter steps away.
“Yes, I think Lydia’s foot found my leg,” I say, and Jeremy glares at me before straightening his face.
“Darling, I’m right beside you.” He nuzzles into her neck, and Cosette leans her head on my shoulder as she watches them happily.
“I’m so sorry about that. I thought I was finding Jeremy’s leg. My man loves to play footsie,” Lydia teases, and covers her face as if she’s horrified by the whole thing.
Just wanted them both to know that I’d be calling this shit out right and left if needed.
“It happens,” Cosi says. “So tell me. How did you two meet?”
Lydia’s hand flies to her chest. “Let me tell them.”
Jeremy beams and leans forward to kiss her. “Of course, my love.”
I glance over at Cosette and she’s so taken with their connection. She has a grin spread clear across her face, and I feel badly because she’s fully buying this bullshit. I hate Jeremy a little more for fucking with her. The dude has an ulterior motive for everything that he does.
“So, I was leaving the soup kitchen, just as Jeremy was coming in,” Lydia says, and she pauses to down her tequila shot and bite down on a lime wedge. Where did he even find her? Spring break at Daytona Beach?
“You’re volunteering at the soup kitchen now?” Cosette claps her hands together. She volunteers there once a month. I know this because I’ve been going with her.
What a fucking coincidence that he’s claiming to volunteer there now.
“I am. I know you tried to get me to go for so long, and it finally hit me. I have so much to be thankful for. I need to give back to those that aren’t as fortunate,” Jeremy says, and Lydia leans into him and reaches for his hand.
“So, our eyes locked, and I turned around and followed him inside,” Lydia says, reaching for her whiskey and taking it down in one gulp. “I worked a double shift just so I could be close to him.”
“I love that. And now that’s something you two can share. Caden and I go once a month, and we really look forward to it.” Cosette is so proud that we all share this great love for the community, and it pisses me off that this is a game to both of them.
“Maybe sometime we can all go together,” Jeremy says as the waiter comes over and whispe
rs something in his ear.
“Please have Javier handle that. I want to enjoy dinner with my lady and our friends,” Jeremy announces loudly.
This is so staged I can barely stomach it. But Cosette beams at Lydia. “You’re good for him.”
“No. He’s good for me. I’m such a lucky lady,” Lydia says.
I groan and try to cover it with a cough, and Cosette shoots me a puzzled look.
Is she seriously buying this load of crap?
“I am so happy for you both,” Cosi says.
I do everything in my power not to roll my eyes. Jeremy’s gaze locks with mine and he fucking smirks. He knows I’m on to him, but he’s loving that Cosette is buying his shit.
“So what do you do, Lydia? Are you in the hospitality business as well?” I ask, because I know how much this all means to Cosette, so I’m going to play along.
“I’m in commercial real estate. Jeremy told me that you and your brothers are developers. I may be able to help you with some properties in the future,” she says, and she licks her lips as she watches me.
Cosette sips her wine and completely misses it. “Real estate is such an interesting business. Things are booming right now.”
“Yes, business is good. Real good,” she says slowly and wriggles her brow.
What is happening?
I lean down and whisper in my girlfriend’s ear. “I need to use the restroom. Will you walk with me?”
She chuckles. “Of course. Excuse us. We’ll be right back.”
I pull out her chair and take her hand, as I lead us through the restaurant.
“Are you not seeing how flirtatious she’s being?” I ask her as we stop outside the bathroom.
She chuckles. “Everyone’s flirtatious with you, lover. I’m used to it. It doesn’t bother me because I know you’re mine.”
“Damn straight. I think this is a game for them, Cos.”