Taryn tookthe coward’s way out, slipping into the hall to watch the guys take care of Ash through a crack in the door. She’d thought watching them drag him away would make her feel better.
Yeah, not so much.
Ash hadn’t given her a choice—he’d been warned what would happen if he touched her like that again. She’d made that threat in public, so she had to back it up in public. Otherwise, word might get around that the Jack was all talk, no action.
She just hadn’t anticipated how much protecting the Jack would hurt Taryn.
Dani joined her in the hallway. “I thought you two were at the touching stage.”
“We are. Were.” Taryn didn’t know any longer. Had they just broken up? “I told him that first night, if he ever laid a hand on me without my permission...”
“You were right. You couldn’t let it slide.” Dani leaned into her, wrapping her arm around Taryn’s waist. “I’m sorry that it happened.”
“Yeah, me too.” She laid her head on Dani’s shoulder.
“Do you want me to take over the rest of your shift at the bar?” Dani asked.
She did. She really, really did. But Dani had been covering for her an awful lot lately. Since Ash had walked into her bar and her life. “No. I can’t ask you to do that.”
Dani hugged her. “You can ask anything. You know that.”
She’d told Taryn that more than once. “I’m the boss. I’m supposed to take care of everything.”
Her friend made a rude sound. “Fine. I know how stubborn you can be. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask.”
“I know. I know.”
“Now say it like you mean it.” Dani leaned against the wall and watched Taryn with a serious look in her eye.
Taryn sighed again and did what Dani asked. It was the only way to get her friend off her back. “All I have to do is ask. And you’ll be there.” She paused. “Man, that sounds like bad song lyrics.”
Dani burst out laughing. “At least you’ve still got your sense of humor.”
Taryn smiled weakly. She wouldn’t go that far, but making Dani laugh felt good. She appreciated that Dani worried about her, but it still felt wrong to lean on her. Or anyone. Taryn changed the subject. “Don’t you have a date tonight?”
A pretty pink washed over Dani’s cheeks and her eyes sparkled. For a brief, terrible moment, Taryn was jealous. Horribly jealous.
Fortunately, the feeling dissipated almost as quickly as it appeared, vanquished by Taryn’s happiness for her best friend.
“Yes. He’s taking me out for dinner.” Dani’s voice was soft and girly.
“Oo-ooh. This is what, your third date?” Dani didn’t date often and Taryn couldn’t remember anyone who’d lasted until the third date.
She nodded. An auburn strand escaped her hairstyle, curling in front of her ear. She moved to tuck it back, but Taryn stopped her.
“Leave it. It adds a bit of romance to your look.”
If anything, Dani blushed harder. “Really?”
Taryn hadn’t lied. The soft curl went perfectly with the top Dani wore. Soft cream-covered lace enhanced her slim build and soft curves and flowed into a rich velvet skirt the color of the fine wine Dani enjoyed. The skirt ended just an inch or two from the brown leather boots that covered her knees.
She looked like she’d stepped out of the pages of an old storybook. A heroine who could hold her own but embraced pretty things. Of all the people Taryn knew, Dani deserved a happily ever after the most.
Taryn was so happy for her. “You look amazing. What time is he picking you up?”
“Not for an hour or so. I was so excited, I got ready way too early.”
Taryn grinned and her heart felt lighter. The sadness and confusion from how things had gone down with Ash wasn’t gone, but now was the time to be happy for her best friend. She could deal with the guy bullshit later. “How about I buy you a drink at the bar while you wait?”
