I’m not going to justify that with a response. Likely because I’ll say the wrong thing, because right now, I very much want him to touch me.
I get into my own car and pull away, going in the opposite direction of him. Dining downtown means I’m only minutes from my apartment. Meaning there’s only minutes of feeling that aching sensation in my lower stomach and my core before I can get rid of it.
I park and take the elevator upstairs. As I suspected, Angus stares at me angrily when I open the door. He jumps from the table and goes to sit by his food bowl with a loud meow.
“All right, all right.” I slam the door, dump my purse, and grab him some biscuits. He meows again when I dump a load in his bowl. “Oh, f**k off, cat. I forgot to go to the store.”
He turns his back on me.
Now if only it were that easy to get Tyler away from me.
4
Cake. There is cake everywhere. Every-fucking-where. Normal cake. Chocolate cake. Cheesecake. Red velvet cake. Ooh, Red velvet cake…
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. We are in a bakery, after all, but just the sight of all the cake is making me feel a little sick. I haven’t tasted a thing yet, but I’d bet I’ll be ready to vomit pretty damn soon if the platter in front of me is anything to go by.
I eye it warily, and Dayton nudges me. “It’s just cake.”
“It’s a lot of cake. I mean, how many different types of cake are there?”
She looks around the bakery. “A lot, evidently.”
“Why do we have to try them all?” I pick up a chocolate cake sample and look at the label. “Chocolate fudge cake,” I read. “Well, we both know what that tastes like.”
She grabs my wrist before I can put it down. “Liv, humor me, please?”
I turn my face toward her. “Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.”
She tries for an annoyed look, but the twitch of her lips ruins it. “You’re an idiot.”
I shove the sample in my mouth with a bored look on my face. She laughs.
“Hey,” I say when I‘ve swallowed it. “That was good. Bit much for a wedding cake though.”
Dayton rolls her eyes. “Try some normal cake.” She hands me a bit, eating one herself. “No,” she mumbles with her mouth full.
I agree. It tastes f**king awful. “Next.”
“Yep.” She takes the label.
“Great. Can we go now?”
“What? No. We’re not done.”
“But you just chose one!” I protest, looking at the clock.
“For a short list. I’m making Aaron come in next week. We need to pick the best ones.” She glances at me slyly. “And I want to know why Tyler chased you out of the restaurant last night.”
I grab some cake and eat it. Mmm, lemon. This is good.
“Nice try,” Dayton laughs. “The last time I saw him move that quickly was because one of the models he slept with got a little attached.”
“I have no idea why he chased me.” It’s kind of honest. I don’t actually know why he came out after me. “But it’s a waste of his time.”
“Yeah, and I’m a virgin.”
I snort. “Seriously. You just told me everything I need to know about him. He does no strings, full stop. I do no strings until I find someone who’s strong enough to deal with my…quirky personality trait.”
My best friend’s lips curve. “Tyler’s kind of intense.”
“Kind of?” I raise my eyebrows. “I have no idea what he’s doing. We don’t really know each other.” An image of his hands trailing up my thighs hits me. “Except physically. Physically, we’re very well acquainted.”
“Just…be careful. I know I said it yesterday, but I mean it. Tyler is a lot like Aaron. Maybe worse. If Ty wants something, he’s not going to stop until he gets it.”
“Translation,” I say around a mouthful of cake. “If Tyler Stone wants me, I’m f**ked. Figuratively and literally.”
She nods, chewing cake. “Ew. What is this?”
“Not on the list, that’s what.” I grab my purse. “I have to go to work. I’ll call you soon.”
I hang my coat in the back room and relieve Jeanie of her shift. She waves goodbye with a thankful expression, and I know instantly that Old Dill is in the bar.
Old Dill, or Dillon Bruce, is one of the loveliest old men I’ve ever met. When he’s sober. When he’s had a few ales, he turns into a humorous old letch with a roving eye over all the bar girls.
This happens on a regular basis, given that my boss is a bit of a pig who insists on only having young people behind his bar. Young girls bring in the guys and young guys bring in the girls.
Tonight, Jeanie has brought in Old Dill and kindly left him for me. And judging by the grin on his face, he’s not totally hammered. Yet.
“Liv,” he croons my name like he’s a ‘50s singer. I’ve heard him on karaoke—Frank Sinatra he is not.
“Dill.” I shoot him my best smile. “How are you this evening?”
“Better for seeing you, darlin’. Can I have another?” He waves his empty glass in front of me.
“Sure thing.” I take the glass. “What are you having tonight? Phil’s? Baxters?”
“Baxters, darlin’.”
I place the glass under the tap and bring the handle down until his glass is full. “On your tab?” I question before handing it back.
Old Dill nods and I place it on the bar in front of him. I add the drink to his tab and turn to serve a young couple.
I hand them two glasses of wine, take the guy’s bill, and turn to the till. I hear him send the girl to the table, and when I hand him his change, he leans across the bar.
“Excuse me. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”
“If I can,” I respond.
“I, er,” he stutters. “I’m planning on proposing to my girlfriend tonight.”
“Congratulations.” Ugh, please don’t ask me to bring the ring in a champagne glass or something.
“Do you serve champagne?”
Fuck me. “We do.”
“Could you bring a bottle of your finest over in around half an hour, please? If you add it to a tab, I’ll pay before I leave.”
I force a sweet smile. “Of course. I’d love to!”
“Thank you.” He returns my smile gratefully and takes his change from my hand, returning to his girlfriend.
Old Dill chuckles. “Speaking of proposing. Still no ring on that finger?”