When the opportunity presents itself, I go over and ask him how long it took for him to grow a pair about me being his son’s date tonight.
On the drive over, I’ve learned that Tanner is almost twenty-seven, works from home as some kind of computer tech wiz, and didn’t really want to be here tonight. It’s also when I made up my mind to show him a good time since I kind of feel like he doesn’t get out too much.
It’s a shame considering what a good-looking guy he is. I’m sure he could easily have the ladies kicking his door in, but he doesn’t seem to really be interested in anything outside of what he already knows.
It was evident from how one-sided our conversation was for the most part.
“We won’t be here long,” he leans down and whispers into my ear. “I’m sure you have better things to do than be paraded around in front of Mom and Dad’s friends.”
“Oh, um, I don’t mind really,” I say to him with a clumsy shrug. “But I’ll be ready to go whenever you are.”
He nods, gives the hand that’s gripping his forearm a squeeze, and leads the way straight to the bar.
I’m a little confused as to why we haven’t gone to say hello to his parents first. When we reach the spot I have a feeling we’re going to call home for the remainder of the time we’re here, I decide that maybe it’s for the best.
Tanner orders a scotch neat, then turns to me and raises an eyebrow. I blush slightly under the weight of his gaze, tear my eyes away from his, and glance at the selections.
“I’ll have a Midori Sour, please,” I tell the pretty, young girl behind the bar that I’m not even convinced is old enough to be working the event.
She nods as Tanner tosses his black Amex card onto the bar-top, grabs it, and walks away to make our drinks. Knowing that he has one of those makes me wonder if I should switch careers, then almost immediately, I feel a little ashamed at the thought.
He’s probably worked hard for what he has now and it’s not my place to hope and wish for things that others have. That’s envy, and that is a deadly sin I won’t have on my conscience.
When the bartender comes back with our drinks, Tanner hands me mine, then takes a swig of his before turning his back to the bartender and leaning against the bar. He narrows his eyes as he scans the crowd, then rolls his eyes. I take a sip of my drink, gazing over the top of the rim and smile when I see his mother approaching us.
“Hey, Mrs. G.!” I call out enthusiastically. Tanner sighs loudly next to me and I elbow him in the ribs. I don’t know what he’s got against his parents, but at least he still has his, and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t appreciate them when he’s around me.
“Why don’t you look lovely tonight, Makena,” she states approvingly when she reaches us. I smile at her in thanks and glance at Tanner who’s now standing with his back to his mother. The bartender seems to be a better choice than his Momma for some reason, but I reach over and poke his side nonetheless.
“Say hi to your Mom,” I chide him as kindly as I can.
He levels an even stare at me for a moment before clearing his throat, then turning to face her.
“You look nice tonight, Mother,” he tells her with a nod and a tight smile.
“Don’t mind him, sweetheart,” Mrs. G. says to me in a loud stage whisper. “He’s only ever content when he’s holed up at home working on those programs of his.”
“Yet, here we are,” he intercedes testily.
I thought computer nerds were supposed to be pacifists, I think miserably. Tanner is doing his damnedest to have a bad evening out tonight and the only thing left for me to decide is if I’m willing to let him.
Chapter 10
I stopped walking twenty minutes ago.
I’ve been on the outside looking in wondering how it is that she’s in a place like the one in front of me with some man I don’t know.
My God, she looks beautiful tonight, but she shouldn’t in there. Not with him, not with them, and not without me.
I run a hand over my mouth, trying my best not to catch her attention. I need to be there with her—near her, touching her perfect skin, having her watching me with the same adoration she seems to be watching him with.
This isn’t right.
I slide a hand into my pocket wondering if yellow is the right color to draw her back to me. Maybe orange would be a better choice, or maybe red. The options are going through my mind like a turnstile and each time a small voice whispers white, I recoil and go back to the beginning.
White is not an option—it can’t be. That will mean I’ve reached the end of my rope and more than just buildings will have to burn. I haven’t decided if that’s a road I want to go down yet.
I’m not opposed to it, but I’m not ready for that level of chaos.
They deserve it, I think as I begin to run my thumb along the lighter in my pocket. I use my forefinger to push it to the side and graze the box of matches I keep tucked away for comfort.
I take a step closer when he leans down and says something to her.
I watch as she looks up at him and laughs, taking a sip of her drink, then placing the empty glass on the counter. He waves over some girl that doesn’t belong in there with her either and she takes the glass away before returning with another one.
It
