Page 9 of Hooked
“Don’t look to me for sympathy when she runs off with some other fella. You’ve been sitting on the fence with this one for too damn long.”
“That’s really not the way it works anymore, but I’ll keep your advice in mind.”
“What are you wearing?”
Tayla stopped at the sound of Emmie’s horrified voice as she walked into the living room. She looked down at her outfit. “What?”
“Is that a sexy witch costume?”
Tayla shrugged. “You told me game night was wizard-themed this month and I should dress up.” She held up her wand with a flourish. “I dressed up.”
“It’s middle school book club night.” Emmie marched toward Tayla and pulled her open robe across her midriff and cleavage-baring top. “You can’t wear this.”
“So judgy. You know I look amazing.”
“Yes, but you also look over-the-top sexy. Which if we were going to the Ice House on Halloween would be awesome. But we’re going to family game night at Top Shelf. I’m sure Jeremy will love it, but I’m guessing all the parents won’t.”
“I love your outfit.” Tayla tried to distract her. “It’s got kind of the crazy fortune-teller thing going on. I like it. The glasses are a nice touch.”
“I’m supposed to be Professor Trelawney.”
“Nailed it.”
“Can you please go put on slightly more clothes?” Emmie gave her the puppy dog eyes she used on Ox when she needed him to lift something heavy. “Please?”
Tayla rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I want it on the record that I look hot as hell.”
“You totally do. In fact…” Emmie handed her the broom from the kitchen. “Hold this in a provocative manner.”
“You know I will.” Tayla posed as Emmie snapped a picture. “You sending that to Jeremy?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Emmie gave her a wicked grin. “I do love tormenting him.”
“Funny thing—so do I.” Tayla turned and walked back into her room, stripping off the cleavage-baring top and reaching for a less revealing one. She’d known she couldn’t get away with the first top, but she also knew Emmie would send a pic to Jeremy. She had to get back at him for that indecent dance the other night.
Oh, he’d been playing the sweet and courteous dance partner. His fingers hadn’t even strayed below her waist. But he knew what he was doing. Chivalry like Jeremy’s was nearly as indecent as her cleavage. So much restraint. So much left unsaid. It drove her absolutely crazy.
If he was that hot when they were in public, what kind of reaction could he provoke when they were alone?
This was not okay. She had to regain control.
Tayla left her robe open and put on a white button-down shirt with a loose school tie hanging between her breasts. Then she put on fake wire-rimmed glasses and pulled her hair into a messy bun.
When she walked out to the living room, Emmie frowned. “That is somehow even more indecent, but I can’t put my finger on why.”
“Then I have accomplished exactly what I intended.”
They walked downstairs and across the street, joining the small stream of foot traffic headed toward Top Shelf Comics and Games. Mostly it was one or two parents with a couple of kids between the ages of eight and thirteen. Almost all the kids were dressed up. The adults were not.
Tayla didn’t care. She knew she looked fabulous.
She looked forward to game night most months. It was where she’d met Jeremy’s grandfather, who was a complete riot and managed to make overalls a fashion statement. And she’d seen his parents once, though they hadn’t been introduced.
It was small-town nostalgia at its best. Families getting together to play games. Shops open late. Checkers tournaments at the diner. Bingo in the park. Hamburgers and hot dogs. Beer and popcorn.
It was brilliant marketing on Jeremy’s part. He usually had a theme related to something going on in town—a new movie opening, high school homecoming, the book club—and he donated the games for all the businesses who agreed to stay open. Any activity that would attract more than the usual gaming crowd. He put a lot of work into it, but he sold a ton of games and usually attracted quite a few people who hadn’t known a gaming and comics shop had opened in town.
Tayla could admire Jeremy’s hustle even if she was annoyed with his game.
