Love Her - Andrea Johnston Page 0,87
horrible joke, I break the news to her. “I don’t have a plan. I’ll be here late tonight and again tomorrow. I thought I’d go by her house on Sunday. If I show up unannounced, she can’t turn me away, right?”
By the look on Meg’s face, maybe she can. Horrified, she gasps and shakes her head rapidly. “No. No. No. Do not just show up at her house. How were you in the military? You can’t go into a mission without a plan! I swear, I have to do—”
A knock at the door draws my attention from a rambling Meg. Taylor pokes his head inside the office. Lifting a finger telling him to wait a minute, I look back at the screen. Meg is still talking, arms waving in the air.
“Oh . . . Me . . . Meg!” She stops talking mid-sentence when I shout. “I have to go. I think I’ll just stick to the no-plan idea and hope I don’t get kicked in the balls.”
“Fine. If you need one of my ideas let me know. Love you!”
She disconnects before I can return the sentiment and stand, slipping my phone in my pocket. Taylor steps into the office, hands resting on his hips. His eyes are strictly on me. Assessing. Before I can ask what is wrong, he sighs.
“How’s it going?”
“Fine. What’s wrong? You look worried.”
Taylor shakes his head and motions for me toward the hallway. “Not worried. The gang is all here. Did you know Scarlett liked being this social? I didn’t. It’s like every weekend we have somewhere to be or there’s a milestone to celebrate. Maybe I should’ve worked tonight. At least then I wouldn’t have to sit in my own bar drinking when I can be at home doing the same damn thing.”
Baffled, I ask, “How did you not know she was a social butterfly?”
Shrugging, he stops shy of the bar and looks toward the large group of friends sitting on the far end of the room. The group is loud and boisterous. It’s everything Taylor hates. Not that he doesn’t like his friends, he just prefers to spend his nights at home with his family and his massive television.
“Will you send over a few pitchers and some grub?”
“Sure thing. Go on and be social. I’ve got you covered.”
Quickly I send an order to the kitchen for an assortment of appetizers before turning my attention to drinks. Most of the group likes the same beer so it’s easy to put an order together for them along with sparkling waters for Dakota and Ashton. Owen is the only one with a favorite, so I pull a bucket and fill it with ice and a few bottles of his preferred IPA. Once the pitchers are poured and glasses set on counter, I motion for one of the cocktail waitresses to help me carry everything.
As I approach the table, the one person I never expected to see here is sitting next to Addy. Painted red lips. Tight T-shirt.
“Hey man, thanks for thinking of me. I knew I was your favorite.” Owen slaps me hard on the back, causing me to stumble.
Glasses clank and the chatter of conversation surrounds the table. It’s all white noise to me. She’s here. At Country Road. She told me numerous times she would never come in here.
“Hey,” she says. I can’t hear her, but I can read her lips.
“Hey.”
A tap to my shoulder pulls my attention from Lis, and I turn to face one of the waitresses. “What’s up?”
“I need some change. Who knew tonight was pay with cash night?”
“Yeah okay.” Turning back to the group I say, “Let me know if you guys need anything else. Some food is coming out in about ten.”
A roar of approval comes from the group and I laugh to myself at how extremely uncomfortable Taylor is tonight. Returning to my duties, I sling drinks, pay a little but not too much attention to the female customers, and keep one eye on the group across the room. The girls have been off dancing while a few of the guys have moved over to the pool tables. I’ve not been back to the table but most of the guys have been up to the bar for refills.
“So, are you going to talk to her or just stand here all night creepily staring?”
Ignoring her question, I continue to wipe down the bar and fill the dishwasher with glasses. I know more than to expect Ashton to walk away