Page 49 of Broken: Taylor

“I like that you think of me naked. So don’t take that back.” Taylor chuckled. “Come over tonight.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

She hung up and groaned. What the hell had just happened? Question number two, how the hell was she supposed to get there? Her car was in some junkyard and other than a bicycle, which had a flat tire she had no transportation.

An hour later, the aroma of Italian spices made her stomach grumble as she walked into Tori’s restaurant. It was a small place but the food was amazing. Every night, the tables were filled with people wanting to sample the small menu of pasta, pizza and amazing Panini’s.

Tori walked out wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “Let me help.”

They walked back outside to a rolling cart that she’d used to bring the vases across the street on. Allison hadn’t wanted to roll it inside since the sidewalk was wet from a slight drizzle.

“Can I borrow your car tonight?” Allison blurted as both walked in with a vase in each hand. “Taylor invited me over for dinner.”

“Oooh.” Tori wiggled her eyebrows. “He’s ready to test drive the new hip huh?”

“No! It’s not like that. Not at all.”

“Don’t worry about bringing my car back until tomorrow, I’m not going anywhere.” Tori smiled.

After several more trips, they went about placing the flowers on each table.

* * *

Lights shinedout from the windows and two lampposts in front of Eric’s house made it easy to see. The only vehicle was Taylor’s truck, which was parked parallel to the porch. It was a good idea, to make it easier for him to get in and out without much trouble.

In jeans and a loose sweatshirt, she did her best not to dress for a booty call. Hopefully he’d get the message of her just wanting to talk.

Thankfully the application of full coverage makeup made her look less like an abuse victim and the knot on her forehead had lessened dramatically.

In her leather tote, she’d brought a bottle of wine although she remembered he’d not had anything to drink at the cookout due to medications. She’d need at least one glass to come up with the courage to tackle the conversation after the phone call.

“Come in,” Taylor called out and she opened the door, which was unlocked.

Eric’s house was what she expected from a bachelor’s place. The only furnishings were a leather couch, a recliner and a huge television. Beside the television there was a gaming system on the entertainment unit and controllers of all kinds on the side tables.

The television was set to some sort of football talk show at a soft volume, with two wide shouldered men looking quite serious as they discussed the sport.

“I’m in here,” Taylor called from the kitchen. “Sorry not to greet you, but didn’t want this sauce to get lumpy.”

Standing at the stove, he turned and smiled at her, a subtle dimple forming in his left cheek. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Allison dragged her gaze from his to notice he’d made a salad and placed a bottle of wine in an ice-filled caddy. “I brought wine too. Red.”

“Making Alfredo sauce. Hope you like chicken Alfredo.” He stirred the sauce and poured some sort of cream into it.

The aroma made her stomach growl. “It smells amazing.” She went around the counter. “Would you like some wine?”

“Sure,” he replied not turning and still stirring. “Either one is fine.”

She poured his wine into two glasses and sipped from hers. It was a buttery pinot grigio. “Didn’t take you for a wine drinker.”

“Yep,” he said turning to look at her. “I developed a taste for it in Billings. A pal of mine was always going to wineries and tastings. I tagged along for something to do and ended up enjoying them.”

She handed him the other glass and he held it up for a toast. “To quick healing.” His gaze swept over her face. “Looks like you’re mending pretty quick.”

“That and good makeup.” Allison moved away, his attention made her want to reach out and touch and that would certainly send the opposite message.