Page 29 of That: Taylor & Brooks

“It ain’t you I’m worried about. I know you solid.”

“Oh,” she said feeling bashful all of a sudden. He spoke and she hung on every word.

He let his gaze linger a second longer before sighing. “Have fun. But don’t let nobody get too close.”

She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a little too pleased at his reaction. “Yes, bestie.”

“Keep playing.” His voice dipped lower, warning her. “We both know I’m not your damn bestie. Bye.”

The call ended, leaving Taylor staring at her screen, her reflection smiling back at her. Her excitement for the night had already been high. Now? It was even higher. Because Brooks Bishop was watching. And she liked that.

Brooks had plans for her that went far beyond friendship, and they both knew it. A man didn’t look at his bestie the way Brooks looked at her. Didn’t get possessive at the thought of other men breathing the same air she did. Didn’t call just to see her face, to hear her voice. Nah they weren’t besties. They were far fromit.

Taylor grabbed her tan and gold purse and headed to her car. The drive to Slicks didn’t take long and she could feel the bass from inside vibrating from the sidewalk as she stepped out of her car. Blake, Paige, and her friend Kennedi were already waiting by the door, all of them doing double-takes when they saw her.

“Ok sis, I see you!” Paige circled her, taking in the outfit. “You ain’t come to play tonight.”

“Girl, it’s just jeans, but no I didn’t,” Taylor laughed, trying to play it cool despite the flutter in her stomach every time one of them complimented her.

The happy hour crowd was thick but not overwhelming. Their usual high-top was open, the perks of being regulars. Taylor settled onto her stool, something about the familiar space and her girls helped her shoulders finally relax. The weight of the morning’s courthouse visit felt like a distant memory here.

“First rounds on me,” Paige announced, already waving down their regular server. “We celebrating!”

They had no clue. She wanted so bad to tell them that she’d filed for divorce this morning but she just wasn’t ready.

“Us finally coming out of hibernation and Tay’s birthday is coming up,” Blake said, already scanning the drink menu.

“Feel like we haven’t had a real girls’ night in forever,” Taylor mentioned.

The music shifted, the DJ mixed in an old school jam that had them all swaying in their seats. She let herself sink into the moment the laughter of her best friends, the perfect mix of lemon drop martini touching her lips. She caught a few guys checking her out. Herconfidence seemed to grow with each passing minute. But she wasn’t looking.

“So…you just gon’ breeze past this outfit like we ain’t all clocking you?”

Kennedi grinned, tapping her perfectly manicured nails against the table. “Mmhmm, real casual. Just jeans, my ass.”

Blake lifted a brow. “You got belly and cleavage showing. That never happens. But you look damn good friend.”

Taylor rolled her eyes, sipping her drink. “Y’all act like I don’t know how to switch it up and get cute.”

“We know you can,” Paige said, leaning in. “We just wondering why you did. Sis, you be all work, church, and no play.”

Taylor shook her head, biting back a smile. “Can’t I just want to look and feel good?”

“You can’t fool me. I'm not sure why folks be trying,” Paige said tossing a shot back. Paige was like a damn psychic she didn’t miss anything. There was no denying that Paige and Brooks were related.

Taylor ignored her. She couldn’t tell them that the way Brooks had been looking at her lately had her looking at herself differently. Brooks had her feeling comfortable enough to come out of her shell slowly.

“You can. Forgive us, we just minding your business that’s all. Don’t mind us,” Kennedi joked.

“I just got tired of dressing for Jesus or for work. I need to wear some of my other stuff.”

“Well, whatever the reason, sis, you eating the girls up tonight.” Blake lifted her glass. “A toast to Taylor.”

She exhaled, savoring a flicker of the life she usedto have. The toast hit deeper than she let on.

She hadn’t even told them about the divorce—couldn’t yet. But somehow, they still saw her. Still saw the growth, the shift, the woman slowly coming back to herself.

That made her feel like she was on the right path.

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