Page 77 of Here's to Yesterday

Gaige is sittingat the small kitchen table, fully dressed and sipping on coffee when we finally make our way back into the apartment. Holding hands, I mightadd.

“Well, I didn’t hear yelling. Or screaming. Or moaning. How are things?” he says as agreeting.

“You know, for such a handsome dude, you sure can be annoying,” I grumble. Reluctantly, I let go of Maura’s hand, heading toward our one-cup coffee maker to get my caffeine fix on. I glance toward Maura, silently asking her if she’d like a cup, and get anod.

He shrugs. “Had to have one flaw, I guess.” Gaige turns his gaze to Maura, who is now sitting at the table with him and winks. “Mornin’.”

She points to me and groans at his sad flirting attempt. “I second what hesaid.”

“Can’t win ‘emall.”

“Or any of them,” I mutter, pouring creamer and sugar into bothcups.

“So, Gaige,” Maura cuts in before he can give me any sass back. “I hear you moonlight as a tattoo artist from time to time on top of all fifty-something of your otherjobs.”

Gaige cuts a glare in my direction andgrunts.

My roommate is a private person. Like way private. I only know the things I know about him because he’s one of my best friends. And it took me many years to find it all out. The basics: he’s quiet, loyal, and charming as hell. He acts as the voice of reason for me and Hudson when we need it and always doles out advice without prying too much. He’s a damn good friend, and I’m lucky to have him in my life to always give me the reality check Ineed.

“Suck it up, dude. She’d have found outeventually.”

I set down the two cups of coffee and plop down opposite him. He sighs and pushes his cup away, sits back in the chair, and crossing his arms over his chest. He pins Maura with a mean stare. “Silence. That’s what I want from you. It’s a well-kept secret, and I’d prefer it remain thatway.”

Maura zips her fingers over her lips. “Safe with me.” She leans forward and steeples her hands together, resting her chin on the tips of her fingers. “But I have to ask, why keep it a secret? You’re wickedtalented.”

“I know,” he says in a cocky manner, leaning forward and giving her what I’ve come to know as his panty-pleaser smile while ignoring herquestion.

“And you’re done,” I say, sitting forward myself. “Go somewhere. Away. Faraway.”

Gaige lifts a brow in my direction. “Pissing on her already, Tuck? I never had you pegged as the territorialtype.”

I snort. “I wish I could say I never had you pegged as the asshole, but…looks like I wasright.”

He clutches his chest, getting up and putting his dirty cup in the dishwasher. “The feels, man. Right in thefeels.”

Turning to Maura as he leaves, I tell her, “I have an appointment on Wednesday if you’reavailable.”

“With Daren Darren? Hell yes I am!” she shouts as she pumps the air with herfists.

“Calm down. It’s nothing huge, only a preliminary meeting. I don’t know if I want to sign with him ornot.”

“I think it could be good. But if it sucks, wewalk.”

“We,huh?”

She gives me a suggestive smile (okay, not really sure if it is, but it sounds good) and says, “We.”

“I like the sound of that,” I tell her honestly. I can tell by the grin on her face that she likes it too. Before she can answer, I ask, “You workingtonight?”

“At four,” she nods. “Why? You gonna come stalkme?”

I don’t attempt to hide my grin and say, “Ofcourse.”

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