“I’ll always come when you call,” I assure her. “Today was fun. The ladies are a hoot.”
“Oh, yeah, they’re two of my favorites.”
I lean down and cup her face, kissing her gently. Her lipspart slightly, and I push my tongue forward. Our tongues tangle, and when she pulls away, her cheeks are tinted pink.
“I’m going to get them back and then I’ll be done for the day. I’ll see you at the apartment.”
“Sounds good.” She wraps her arms around me, and I kiss the top of her head. I watch as she walks up the stairs. “Now, that was a kiss!” Ethel yells, before the doors close.
CHAPTER 39: HEY, BARTENDER
TANNER
Wren insisted that she and I go out with our friends tonight, and while I enjoy everyone’s company, the idea of staying in with Wren was tempting as shit. She only convinced me by promising a dance and a night of barely sleeping once we’re home.
I’m convinced that no one is better together than we are. The conversation with Ethel and Clara from Monday has continuously replayed in my head this week, and I keep having the urge to tell her how I feel, but I don’t want to scare her.
We make our way inside, and as we walk past the bar, she greets Tony and Frank, the bartenders, by name.
“You know the guys?” I ask.
“Everyone knows Tony and Frank,” she says.
I shoot her a questioning look. “I’m certain you’ve never known their names before.”
“Oh, look there’s the group,” she says, smiling and pulling me towards the table.
“Who’s the new guy?” Sitting next to Gray is a man I’ve never seen before.
“Oh, good! She invited him. That’s Cal.”
Who the hell is Cal?We arrive at the table and I greet our friends. “I’m Tanner,” I say, reaching out my hand and shaking the stranger's hand.
“Cal,” he says. “Grayson—I mean Gray—and I knew each other as kids. I’m good friends with one of her older brothers.”
“It’s nice to meet you. What brings you to town?”
“I just transferred to Atlanta for work.”
“What do you do?” Logan asks him.
“I’m an orthotist, so I make braces and splints for individuals with physical disabilities.”
“Yeah, it’s so crazy because I had contacted his office for one of our residents, and I had no idea he worked there. He walked in on Monday,” Gray explains.
“Well, we’re glad you could make it, man,” I say. “Maybe you and Gray can play me and Wren in ping-pong in a bit.” I nod my head toward the table.
“Why would we do that?” Gray says, panicked.
“It could be fun,” Cal says.
Lacey, Poppy, and Wren all giggle.
“Just tell us when y’all are ready,” I say.
Gray’s whole face turns beat red, and she throws me a look that makes me fear for my life.
“Or not. So, what’s everyone drinking? It’s on me.”
