Page 16 of Taken By the Bad Boy
Mae opened her mouth and closed it.“I honestly don’t know how to answer that.”She hated the feeling that swirled in her gut.The disappointment washed over her.
“Whoa, what’s the matter?”Emily asked.
“It’s nothing.I just...”She was not ready to admit her feelings to her best friend.Especially knowing Emily’s husband was also best friends with him.“Caleb and I, we’re just having fun.”
They got to the counter and Mae put in her order.She smiled at Tracey as the other woman went to get her order.She wanted their special pumpkin latte that had just been added to the menu.There were always special drinks made for October, and they always came up with some amazing names for them.Especially the kids’ menu.Vampire Blood, Swamp Mud, Witch’s Breath, and stuff like that.Cute and fun.Mae loved it when she was a kid, and she loved it now.Along with her pumpkin latte, she also opted for a toasted cheese bagel, and Emily made her drink as well.
She was happy with dark coffee, hazelnut syrup, along with a toasted cheese bagel and a cinnamon roll.
They were able to find a small table, and Mae took her seat.
“You want to convince me, your best friend for as long as we can remember, that you’re okay with just having some fun?”she asked.
“I have no idea what you mean by that.”She tried to laugh it off.
“Come on, Mae.This is me.I’m not just some random friend you barely know.”Emily stopped to take a long sip of her hot coffee.“This is so damn good.”She let out a little moan.
“I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“Tell me the truth.Do you have feelings for Caleb?”
Mae opened and closed her mouth, and she glanced around the small coffee shop.She missed being in her shop where she could give the excuse that she was busy and didn’t have time for gossip.She doubted her friend would believe her, but at least she would have some sense of peace.
“Do we really have to talk about this now?”she asked.They were out in the open for anyone to hear.
“Everyone is more interested in their own business.They don’t care what we’re talking about,” Emily said.“Is it really that hard?”
Mae pressed her lips together and then sighed.“I can’t get him out of my head.That is crazy, right?I mean ...this is Caleb we’re talking about, and I don’t want to be the pathetic woman that falls for him.That would just be crazy.”She tried to laugh it off, but the truth was, she was a little afraid.“Crap, I think I’m falling for him.”
She looked across the table toward her friend, expecting Emily to look worried, but it would seem her friend was happy about this.
“You’re smiling?”she asked.
“Yeah, because you’re finally acknowledging your feelings for him, and this has been a long time coming,” Emily said.
Mae was not going to second-guess her friend.“You knew?”
“That you had the biggest crush on this guy, even in high school?Yeah.Every time he was close, you always seemed to be staring in his direction, and you used to blush like crazy.”Emily chuckled and Mae’s mouth hung open.She was a little taken aback.
“Maybe I did have a little crush, and my mouth didn’t hang open at all.”She couldn’t believe her friend would even say that.
Of course, Emily just laughed, and she couldn’t help but join.It felt good to finally tell someone how she felt.
They finished their coffee along with their bagels.The sun was shining and even though it was cold, it felt amazing.They left the coffee shop, and had to go in separate directions.Mae pulled her friend in for a hug and was just about to say goodbye when she was nudged from behind.She turned and was surprised to see Natalie glaring at her.
“Watch where you’re fucking going,” Natalie said.
“Excuse you, but you bumped into Mae,” Emily said, moving between the two and stepping right up to Natalie.
The other woman looked at Emily, and she saw her hesitate.Emily was known for not taking any kind of crap.Mae was the same.
“You bumped into me,” Mae said.
She was known for being nice, and a bookworm, and pretty much keeping to herself, but Natalie was a bully.She’d been a cheerleader throughout high school, and always attempting to bully those she claimed were beneath her.
Natalie smirked, but Mae noticed she didn’t dare push past Emily.
“You think you’re something now that you’re fucking the town bad boy?”Natalie asked.“Well, I’ve got news for you, sweetheart.He’s using you.You’re nothing but a pity fuck to him, and when he’s had his fill, you’ll be just like the rest of us.”With that, Natalie turned on her heel and walked into the coffee shop.
