Page 15 of Sweet Surrender
Beau watched Taylor, gesturing wildly, her bun jiggling with each indignant movement, her eyes flashing angrily.
Man, she really is something.
“I’ll do it,” he said and the noise in the bar immediately stopped, like when Frodo volunteered to take the ring to Mordor, although Frodo’s chances of survival were greater than Beau’s.
Taylor’s eyes snapped to his. Her look scorched him, promising him a painful death. Her mouth opened, then closed. A look of raw pain crossed her face, and he felt its echo in his gut. He knew what he was doing, knew it would be difficult, but he also knew they both needed this. Of course, she didn’t seem to agree.
“No.” Her tone left no room for argument. Her word was final. And with that, she walked into her office and slammed the door, leaving them all standing in silence.
“She’ll come around,” Dean said, confidently.
“It’ll work one way or another. Either Dale will get the hint and leave her alone. Or it’ll push him to do something stupid and we’ll get him,” Blake agreed.
Only Justine was silent, her honey eyes on Beau and her head cocked, assessing him. He tried to look away, he didn’t want her psychologist brain analyzing him right now and putting things together. But he was trapped. She must have seen something she liked because a smirk split her face before she nodded.
“Taylor will come around, just let her cool off. I think this will be for the best, in more ways than one,” she added, staring pointedly at him.
Fuck.
Chapter 5
The bar was heaving tonight, plenty of bodies crammed inside and Taylor waslovingit. Being busy meant more success for the bar but also meant she didn’t have time to think about the Dale situation or rage over Dean’s ridiculous suggestion.
Pretend to be Beau’s girlfriend, pfft!She let out an unladylike snort and Kayleigh, her barmaid, shot her a questioning look.
But really, what the hell had Dean been thinking?That boy’s been inhaling too many car fumes lately.Taylor stepped to the end of the bar to take a moment to pull herself together. She ran her hands through her hair, snagging her fingers on the intricate braid crown that ran along the top of her head, the rest of her hair in a high ponytail.
She had decided to make an effort tonight, thinking maybe that would make her feel better. She’d taken extra care with her makeup, put on gold hoop earrings then paired a strapless pink lace top with her favorite black leather pants.
She took a breather, shaking off the crazy thoughts that had been spiraling around her brain since the idea of her and Beau pretending to be inlovehad been suggested by Dean. When she felt calmer, she dived back into serving the customers currently three deep at the bar. She worked her little butt off and only took a break a couple of hours later when her girls turned up.
“Oh heeey!” Christy called, coming over to her, Justine close behind. They all hugged and Justine tapped Taylor’s gold hoop earring. “You know what they say don’t you?”
“The bigger the hoop, the bigger the ho?” Taylor replied.
“Exactly!” Justine laughed.
“Kayleigh, are you okay for ten?” Taylor shouted over the music.
“Yes, ma’am,” Kayleigh replied, bobbing at Taylor.
“Why does she always curtsy at you?” Christy giggled.
Taylor pinched the bridge of her nose. “Jesus, I have no idea but the girl needs to stop.”
“Have you told her to stop?”
“Hell no! She looks up at me with those Bambi eyes and I lose all power to scold.”
“Aw, Tay’s gone all soft!” Justine taunted, tucking her dark hair behind her ears.
Taylor flipped her off and gestured to a free booth in the corner. The girls took a seat as Taylor made Christy a cocktail and grabbed Justine an apple juice.
“How’s my lil’ pregnant mama?” Taylor asked, placing the drinks on the table. Justine didn’t answer, she was too busy drooling over Christy’s cocktail before Taylor nudged her apple juice closer. Justine scowled at the drink.
“Fine really, no morning sickness yet but my emotions areloco.”
“I’m aware after the incident this week,” Taylor replied, arching her eyebrow.
