Chapter Twenty-Five
Luke
Why did I ever agree to this?
Oh, I know the answer. She swayed me with her work ethic and that sweet pussy of hers. Mostly it was the work ethic, but the pussy was definitely a factor.
Since I agreed to let her “redesign” the bar, she’s been in and out of Cy’s almost every day. Not only that, she’s been picking up shifts for me when I’ve needed her. Needless to say, we’ve been spendinga lotof time together. I’d say there’s only been a few nights in the last month that we haven’t slept together.
Now, with finals week fast approaching, she surprises me by telling me I need to show up to one of her classes so she can present me with her design—in front of the entire class. And guess what… today’s the day.
Did I know this was going to happen?
No, I did not.
Not only that, her professor can’t know we’re a couple. “It’s okay that I work there,” she told me, “but my professor willnotbe happy about the fact that we’re in a relationship and I need an A on this project. So, just sit there and pretend you have no idea what I’ve designed.”
“Idon’tknow what you’ve designed.” I really don’t. She’s kept it a secret for a month as she’s been working like a bee measuring shit and taking pictures.
“Well, I want you to be surprised. Oh, and can you please dress nice?”
I look down at my tee and jeans. It’s one of my nice tees and my best pair of jeans. I’m immediately incensed. “What the fuck’s wrong with my clothes?”
Here we go.
“Nothing. You look great, but can you slip on a jacket?”
“A jacket?” What the hell is she talking about? “What kind of jacket?”
This ought to be good.
“Um.” Her voice is suddenly soft. “A suit jacket?”
I’ve got one suit. I call it my death suit because I only wear it to funerals. “Tayler,” I snap. “Don’t fucking start changing me.” The truth is, I used to have several suits. Shanna insisted.
“I’m not.” Tayler’s face has gotten red. “I’m sorry. Wear what you want. How ’bout a sweater?”
I shake my head and walk back into my bedroom, yanking open the bottom drawer of my dresser so hard that the drawer flies all the way out. I don’t care. Digging to the bottom, I find a dark blue sweater my mom gave me a bunch of Christmases ago. Once I slip it over my head, I have a hard time getting my arms into it. I’ve gained quite a bit of muscle since she gave me this.
By the time I’ve got the stupid thing on, Tayler’s followed me into the bedroom and is watching. When she starts to laugh, I’ve fucking had it.
“Why the fuck are you laughing?”
She immediately stops. “Sorry. It’s just….”
“What?”
“That sweater’s too small.”
I know. I can barely breathe. “You wanted a sweater. This is it. I’ve got sweatshirts.”
“What about a dress shirt?”
I almost rip the sweater getting it off. Stomping over to my closet, I slam the door open and stare inside. She’s next to me now and pointing into my closet. “What about this one?”
“It’s purple.” Another gift from my mom. I swear she thinks I’m a pussy. “I’m not wearing that.”
“This one?” She holds up a plaid shirt I’ve worn a couple of times.
