Page 7 of Just This Once

“But you will,” I amend, and she shakes her head, still not pushing my hand away from her neck, so I let my thumb rub along the base of her skull.

“I’m not fucking a guy named Dante.”

I grin, leaning in close enough to brush the tip of her nose with mine. “Famous last words.”

When I move away from her, she huffs, all haughty and tough shit, but she immediately sticks her drink straw in her mouth and sucks half of it down. No matter how hard she’s fighting, she wants me as much as I want her. So, I’ll play it cool for a little while and get to know Marianne more.

I learn she’s the daughter of a math professor at the local university and a nurse. With a head for numbers and a desire to stay close to her family, she agreed to help a plucky young upstart with her lingerie business. And the rest was history.

The Wilkenson-Shaws seem really happy, and it’s nice to be around people who aren’t in constant competition. Because that’s what it feels like being with my family—constant competition—but it’s clear this little group of women supports and lifts one another up. And me. Since Clara and Marianne are both on my side when I try Taryn again.

“So, you about ready to get out of here?” When she ignores me, I lightly elbow her side, shooting my thumb over my shoulder. “Can I give you a ride?”

“Are you always this persistent?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Clara nodding, but I shrug. “You’ve had two drinks. I’m simply being a gentleman by making sure you arrive home safe.”

“Two drinks in three hours. I’ll be fine.”

“But didn’t you walk here from work?” Marianne says, and,yes, Marianne!

“You walked?” I shake my head. “You can’t walk home. I’ll take you.”

“No,” Taryn tells me then reiterates it to her friends. “No. You two said you could drop meoff.”

Clara was always a terrible liar, but she tries for me. “We have so much work to do at the store.”

Taryn glares at her. “Since when?”

“Since my old friend came to talk to us and seems to really be into you, and he’s one of the best people I know.”

I grin at my grumpy lady. So deliciously grumpy.

“No,” she says again, pressing the tip of her index finger against my chin to turn my head away from her. Even if she can’t completely squash the tremor of her mouth.

I sweep my gaze right back to her. “It’s only a ride home. Come on.”

“Go on,” Clara says.

Marianne doesn’t say anything, but when I look between her and Taryn, they’re having some silent conversation. Taryn glaring. Marianne seeming unfazed. It’s Clara who asks the bartender to close out their tab. “It’s getting late.”

“It’s only nine,” Taryn says, holding her cell phone with the time then gesturing my way. “And before this guy showed up, you were ready to order another drink.”

Clara’s eyes go round. “I don’t recall that at all.” She slips her credit card back into her purse and takes Marianne’s hand. “Come on, babe.”

I hide my laugh behind my palm and the couple says goodbye to Taryn, who whispers what I can only guess are a lot of four-letter words before Clara wraps her arms around my neck. “You take care of our girl.”

“Of course,” I promise.

“You still have my phone number?”

I dig my cell phone out of my pocket and bring up my contacts, scrolling until I find her name and then double-check it’s still correct. I text her a couple of emojis. “It was great seeing you.”

She nods. “Now that I’ve found you again, I’m not letting you go.”

“Counting on it.” I kiss her cheek then shake Marianne’s hand. “Nice meeting you.”

“I’m sure we’ll be hanging out again.”

---