“Have you met Tasha?” George asks. “Tasha Baylor.”
Oh.Oh.
As in one of the Bs in BBN. That Baylor.
Now that I have her name, I realize I do recognize her from some of Shawn’s pictures on social media and in his apartment. They’re friends.
But are she and George…more?
“You’re even more gorgeous than he said,” Tasha tells me, her smile pure, genuine eagerness.
He, who? He, Shawn?
I guess, thanks, bro.
“Tasha.” George speaks her name with a warning lilt, but she waves him off as if he is inconsequential.
I could like this woman. That is, if she disregards any shit Karl might have said about my mom or me.
“Good to meet you,” I offer in my pleasant waitress voice. “Did you have a nice flight?”
“It was lovely. This one has things under control.” She pats George’s arm in a gesture that seems more friendly than romantic. “But I guess you know that better than most.” This time Tasha’s face sobers, and I realize she must be thinking about our emergency landing.
Funny, it’s been a little while since that incident has arisen in my mind. George was right. Getting back up in the air helped.
“He’s a great teacher.”
Tasha’s smile returns. “I don’t doubt it. I’m going to convince my fiancée to come up with me next time.”
Let’s not examine how that comment sends relief washing through me.
“I’m sure she’d like to meet you, too, Beth,” Tasha continues. “Maybe the four of us can go up sometime. I don’t mind being crammed in that tiny back seat if it’s my future wife I’m smashed up against.”
“I’d like that,” I tell her truthfully. Tasha seems like a fun person who doesn’t care about my parentage.
Maybe Karl Newton was able to influence his corporation to push my mother out, but it doesn’t look like he’s had much success labeling me a pariah to be avoided at all costs with the next generation.
“We’ve got to get going, Tasha.” George gives his friend a hard stare that doesn’t cow her in the slightest.
“Fine, you big grump. Keep her to yourself. It was really good tomeet you, Beth.” Tasha holds my eyes with an unwavering intensity I’m sure makes her a terrifying badass during corporate meetings. “But I feel like I know you already. Shawn is always gushing about you.” About me? What would he even have to say? Maybe how I can pour coffee into a mug without looking. That trick always impresses him. “Plus, this one gets downright chatty when the topic of you comes up.” She slaps George on the shoulder.
He closes his eyes and lets out a weary sigh.
George? Chatty? That’s definitely false. Still, I enjoy Tasha’s teasing.
“I’m glad I met you, too.” Especially because now I know there’s one less person in the world disgusted by my existence.
“We need to get together sometime,” Tasha presses. “All five of us. No, six. Bring your friend Darla. George tells me Shawn turns into an absolute fool around her, and Ineedthat entertainment in my life.” She leans in and plants a firm kiss on my cheek, then repeats the gesture with George before strolling off with a wave.
George and I stand next to each other, both of us quiet. I’m not sure why he is, but I’m processing the idea of Shawn, Darla, Tasha, her fiancée, George, and me all sitting down together. Maybe at a bar, sipping some drinks, making jokes. None of us working or having to hurry off to get to a job.
The idea seems so pleasant. So normal.
But it’s never going to happen.
“I figured you two would get along,” George murmurs, breaking my contemplation.
I glance up at him. “She’s cool.”
