Page 11 of Choosing a Forever
I don’t know why my heart is racing so fast or why it suddenly feels like I want to burst into song, but I shake off the strange sensations as Tayleigh’s voice pulls me back to reality.
“Talmage? Are you okay? You stopped mid-sentence.”
“Yeah.”Does my voice sound high pitched?“I just remembered I need some ranch for the fries. I’ll be right back.”
I get up and stand behind Mack in line. Her voice is soft but friendly as she orders, and for some reason, it gives me goosebumps.
When she’s done, she turns around and startles when she sees me behind her. Her big green eyes widen, then blink up at me before she looks down, mutters, “Excuse me,” and tries to walk around me.
“Hey, Mack. Did you get your car back?” I ask, desperately needing to hear her voice.
She turns halfway back to me before she says, “Yes.”
“That’s good. I’m glad… How are you?”
Her brows furrow, and she glances around like she’s checking to make sure I’m talking to her and not someone else. “I’m fine, thanks. How are you?”
“Great, yeah. Can’t complain.” I don’t know what else to say, but I want to keep talking to her. “Celebrating something tonight?”
She glances back at her sisters, and when she turns back her mouth is set in a small smile. “Kinsley made it to the state level for her science fair project, so we’re celebrating.”
I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face. “That’s awesome. What was her project on?”
Mack shifts from one foot to the other and scratches her head. “I honestly don’t know how to explain it. Something with sugar energy, I think? She’s better at explaining it. I’ve never been good at science stuff.”
I hold back the nostalgic smile wanting to break free. Mack complained endlessly about biology our freshman year. That and math were her least favorite classes. “Nice. Well, tell her congrats.”
“Will do. I’ll, uh, let you get back to your date. Bye.”
I honestly forgot Tayleigh was waiting for me, and it makes me feel like crap. Tayleigh and I may not be a good match, but she doesn’t deserve to be ditched on a date.
“Right, yeah. See you around.”
I head back to my table, and Tayleigh sets her phone down when I take my seat. “Did you get your ranch?”
“Huh?”
“Your ranch?” she says slowly. “The whole reason you went up to the counter?”
“Oh. No, they were out.” Guilt swirls in my stomach at the lie. Tayleigh doesn’t deserve lies either, but what am I supposed to say?“I just wanted to talk to my ex-girlfriend because something is pulling me to her?”
My eyes trail over to Mack’s table as their food is brought out, and Tayleigh follows my line of sight.
“Doesn’t she know it’s not healthy to be eating stuff like that?” She shakes her head. “Her cortisol levels are probably insane. I think she’d be so pretty if she just lost the extra weight.”
What?
My jaw goes slack, my hands pausing with my burger halfway to my mouth.
“I’m sorry?”
“I just mean she has a pretty face, but it’s obvious she doesn’t care about her health. She would be a lot prettier if she weren’t, ya know,big.Or had those things through her nose. No man wants a woman who doesn’t take care of herself.”
“That’s really, really mean. You can’t know if someone is healthy or not based on how they look.” I don’t think Tayleigh would appreciate me telling her I think Mack is gorgeous as she is. Everything about her—from her eyes to her lips, to the messy waves of her hair and her generous curves—is absolutely breathtaking.
Tayleigh rears back as if I’ve slapped her. “You can’t be serious. Look at what she’s eating! Clearly, health isn’t a priority.”
“I’m eating more than she is. Does that make me unhealthy?”
