36. Might as Well
THIRTY-SIX
Might as Well
TARA
Tara and Celeste pulled their jackets on as they stood up from their dinner at Jo’s. They gave Jo a wave goodbye on their way out but also received a wave back from the new bartender, Jake.
“Goodnight,” he called out with a wink. They shared a quick giggle the moment they stepped outside the door.
“Jo’s gonna have her hands full with that one,” Tara laughed.
“Yes, she is.”
It only took a few minutes to arrive at the alley behind the bookshop where Tara’s car was parked. Celeste gave Tara a friendly push. “Gurl, I still can’t believe you kissed Steve.”
She shrugged “Why not? He was leaning so close, and I’d already seen him without a shirt…”
Celeste pursed her lips. “You’re objectifying him, you know.”
“Yeah,” Tara said. “But if I’m going to objectify a man, let it be a man worthy of objectification.”
Celeste stopped at Tara’s car and arched a brow.
Tara rounded the car and unlocked the doors. “What?”
Celeste shook her head and sat down in the passenger seat. “I still think it’s hilarious that you bribed them with snickerdoodles.”
Tara fastened her seat belt. “Chocolate chip and sugar cookies, too.”
“Why didn’t you offer me cookies to help? Maybe I should start charging you a box of cookies for every latte you get with an extra shot.”
Tara pulled up in front of Celeste’s apartment and reached into her backseat. She handed a small container of cookies to Celeste. “You’re my bestie. You always get baked goods.”
“Thank you!” Celeste gave Tara a hug then opened her door to get out. “You’re the best!”
Tara laughed. “Don’t you forget it!”
The next day, Tara and Lydia were closing up the shop when Lydia raised her voice to someone outside. “SORRY, WE’RE CLOSED!”
From the counter where she was running the sales numbers, Tara heard a voice responding but couldn’t make out the words. Whoever it was, they weren’t taking no for an answer. She glanced up just as Lydia approached the counter with a smirk.
“He says he needs to talk to you.”
“Who?” She looked past Lydia to see Steve standing behind the plate glass door in front. She let out an annoyed sigh when in reality, her heart started racing. “Can you finish this up, please?”
“Mmhmm. Go talk to your friend.”
“He’s not my friend.”
“Whatever,” Lydia rolled her eyes. “Go talk to your not friend then.”
Tara shot her a sideways glance, then walked over to the front door. She took a moment to debate her next move, then unlocked the door and opened it just enough to fit her head through the opening. “Mr. Cook.”
“Miss Bailey,” Steve responded just as formally. “May I come in?”
Tara pointed to the sign hanging on the inside of the door. “We’re closed.” Tara did her best to suppress the smile that threatened to break out.
He grinned. “What if I promise not to buy anything?”
She turned her gaze upward for a few moments while she debated. “Okay.” She finally smiled. “That works.”
She opened the door wide enough to allow him to walk inside.
Steve nodded toward Lydia who gave a quick return wave, then turned his attention back to Tara. “So, what do you have planned for dinner?”
Tara crossed her arms. “Inviting yourself over, are you?”
His grin widened. “Asking you out, actually. You have to eat, right?”
“Mmhmm.”
He extended his arm toward the park across the street. “I was heading over to Jo’s and figured you are on the way, so I might as well invite you to join me.”
“So… it’s more out of convenience?”
He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “Something like that.”
“I don’t know,” Tara waffled, her smile never leaving her face. “Lydia and I might have dinner plans.”
“We don’t,” Lydia called out from the hallway by the office. “I’ve got a date with my daughter.” She already wore her jacket and was shrugging her oversized purse over her shoulder as she rushed by them. “Lock the door behind me.” With a wave over her shoulder, she walked out. “Goodnight!”
Tara’s mouth dropped open, then pressed her lips together. “Good thing I’m not that hungry then.” The second she said the words her stomach grumbled loudly. She dropped her gaze to her stomach. “Traitor!”
“Don’t forget your jacket,” Steve reminded her with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t want you to get cold on the walk over.”
“I didn’t say I was going.”
She could flirt, too.
Steve nodded. “True. But… you’ve gotta eat, so you might as well.”
“Steve.”
“Look.” He held out his hand and paused for a few seconds as if searching for the right words. Steve took a breath. “John told me you helped him the other day when I was on shift.”
“It was nothing–.”
“It wasn’t nothing, Tara.” He cut her off. “It…”
Steve seemed to struggle for words so Tara spoke up. “You took in a lost soul when you didn’t have to. Do you do that often?“
“I don’t…” He cleared his throat. “I just do what it takes when somebody’s parents are too chicken shit to do it themselves, that’s all. He deserves better.”
“Yeah.” Tara nodded. “He does. He’s lucky you were there for him.”
“It meant a lot to him, Tara. What you did. And…” he swallowed. “And to me, too, so, let me at least buy you dinner?”
“Okay,” she sighed. “Let me get my purse.”
Steve placed a hand on her arm. “Thanks.”
Her body heated at his simple touch.
She nodded and stared into his stormy blue eyes for a few more seconds before finding her voice. “Be right back.”