Page 16 of Here's to Yesterday

That washot.

Shit. That was wrong of me to say. Or think.Shit.

Did I inadvertently admit to myself Tucker was hot? Or that his smile was hot? Either way, I’ll pretend it didn’t cross mymind.

Dear Brain, move on. Love,Maura.

“So, Maura, are you busy tomorrow night?” Tuckerasks.

Wait,what?

“No?”

“Why is that a question?” He laughs. “Anyway, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to come to Mic’s? I have a small show tomorrow. The whole gang will bethere.”

“Ah, yes. Rae mentioned it last week but I honestly forgot. I had sweet plans that consisted of doing absolutely nothingtomorrow.”

“But now that you’ve remembered you’ll be there,right?”

I shrug again. “I guess I could swingit.”

He frowns at my answer and leans forward again. “Come on. Be sociable, Maura. You can’t sulk forever.” Tucker leans back and taps the table once. “You’re coming. I’ll pick you up atseven.”

Conjuring up all those manners my mother had my nannies teach me, I sit up straighter and firmly say, “No thanks. That won’t benecessary.”

Tucker doesn’t budge. “Necessary or not, it’s happening because I don’t trust you not to bail.Again.”

He’d be referring to last month when I was invited to go watch him play, said I’d be there, and didn’t go. It’s nothing against Tucker’s singing, because that, my friends, is phenomenal. It’s me not feeling up to faking “it” for several hours more than I typically haveto.

“Again, thank you for the offer, but I’m sure I can make it on myown.”

“I’m sure you can too, but you won’t. Not without a push,” he says. Leaning back across the table, he murmurs, “You don’t have to wear your mask. Leave it athome.”

I suck in a sharp breath becausefuck. He’s good. Too good.How in the hell does he see thisshit?

“I’m a musician, Maura. Seeing into hearts is myspecialty.”

My heart stops briefly. The look he’s giving me isn’t smug or defiant. He’s not challenging me to a game of wits or trying to get the upper hand here. He’s only showing me the cards he’s playing with, letting me know he can see through the bullshit shield I throw out to the worlddaily.

But little does Tucker know, I don’t cave thateasily.

Now it’s my turn to lean across the table, getting my face as close to his as possible without being inappropriate. I look him in his beautiful, golden eyes. “Yeah?” I say. “Well I’m a Doughers, Tucker. Wearing a mask ismine.”

Grabbing my book and coffee, I walk away from Perk while my mask is still in place because there’s no way I’ll let Tucker know how much that rockedme.

* * *

Iwalkinto Clyde’s an hour early, relieved to see that Perry is seated at the bar. I walk over and rest my chin on his shoulder. He automatically sets his head againstmine.

“Your vibe is off today, dear. Whatgives?”

“I love that you know me like that, Per. I need thattoday.”

“Maura, you’ve been in my life for the last ten years. I know you better than you think. Now, whatgives?”

I sigh and sit down on the stool next to him. “Nothing gives. That’s myproblem.”

I watch as he takes a sip of his soda and then turns to face me for the first time. He’s got a huge shiner on hiseye.

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