Taylor piped up again. “You know, when you’re so hungry, it makes you angry.”
Tuck extended a finger, pointing at Taylor. “This one, I like. Are you the infamous Taylor perchance?”
Taylor beamed. “I am. I’d shake your hand, but I don’t want to get kicked.”
Caitlin was indeed throwing a righteous fit, kicking her legs and slapping at Tuck’s arm secured around her middle. I looked heavenward. “Jesus.”
Tuck turned a shit-eating grin on Taylor. “I’m Tucker, but everyone calls me Tuck, Walker’s partner in crime since childhood.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too, dollface.” Tuck turned his attention back to the hissing creature in his arms. “You gonna calm down?”
“No, you asshole. Let me down.”
Just then, Nina appeared with three boxes of donuts. “Here you go, Walker. Tuck, you can set her down outside, because after going after a paying customer like that, she’s banned.”
“Nina,” Caitlin whined. “You can’t do that.”
“You bet your ass, I can. Now get.”
Tuck took Cait right out the front door. The restaurant clapped.
Bridgette stomped up to me, drilling a finger into my chest. “That was cruel, Walker Cole. You know she’s in love with you.”
I cringed, removing Bridgette’s finger. “Bridgette, I didn’t mean to hurt her. Sometimes, relationships just don’t work out.”
Bridgette eyed Taylor up and down, her lip curling. “You’re going to regret leaving Caitlin for that cheap trash.” My jaw tightened, but before I could say a word, she turned on her heel and stomped out the door.
“You certainly know how to keep things interesting, Cole,” Taylor said, and then promptly dissolved into a fit of laughter so strong she was doubled over.
“Get it together so we can get out of here before Caitlin plots her return.”
Taylor rested a hand on my shoulder to right herself and tried to take deep breaths to slow her laughter. “I’m sorry. It’s just… You dated that crazy?”
I ground my teeth together. “It wasn’t that serious.” She quirked a brow, and I felt the need to defend myself overtake me. “I was clear about wanting to take things slow. She seemed to be down with that.”
“Until she wasn’t, right?”
“Right. I missed the signs that she was ready to get married next week.”
Taylor glanced out the front door. “I shouldn’t be laughing. Every girl has that guy they want but know they’ll never have.”
My gut burned. Taylor seemed to be talking from experience. An image of some guy showing up on Taylor’s doorstep with flowers and apologies, begging her to take him back, filled my mind. It made me want to punch something. I hated the idea of her with anyone else. Anyone but me.
Shit. Slow. I needed to take things slow. Snail’s pace, I reminded myself. I shook my head in an attempt to rid my brain of the thoughts that would get me nowhere.
Tuck swept back in the front door. “You’re good to go. They took off.”
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Enjoy the lake.” He turned his gaze to Taylor, eyes twinkling. “It was lovely to meet you.”
“You, too. Thanks for saving me from the bitch attack.”
Tuck chuckled. “Anytime.”
Taylor held open the door for me and my stack of donuts, but over her shoulder said, “Let’s hope it’s only necessary once.”
With that, we headed out. The drive to the lake was short, and by the time we got there, my dad had the boat ready to go. There were a handful of private docks scattered around the shore, and we were lucky enough to have one.
“The donuts have arrived,” I called as Taylor followed me down the dock.
Noah jumped, shooting a fist in the air. “Yes! Donuts! I want a chocolate one with sprinkles!”
I grinned at my nephew. “I got extra sprinkle ones just for you.”
“You’re the best, Uncle Walker!”
Jensen strode up, taking one of the boxes of donuts. “Just for that, you can put him to bed tonight when he’s bouncing off the walls on a sugar high.”
I ruffled her hair, and she elbowed me in the side. “Do you see what I have to put up with?” she called to Taylor.
“It’s a travesty,” Taylor answered.
Jensen pulled her into a hug. “Glad you came.” I saw Taylor stiffen slightly but then relax. I felt a swell of pride. My family was good for Taylor.
“He didn’t really give me a choice.”
Jensen threw her head back in a laugh. “Us Coles are stubborn you-know-whats, aren’t we?”
“Understatement of the century.”
Jensen linked arms with Taylor. “Don’t worry, we grow on you. Now, let’s eat some donuts and catch some rays.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I watched Taylor’s pert little ass stroll down the dock, Daisy Duke shorts mocking me with every sway of her hips. It was going to be a long day.
22
Taylor
The lake glimmered in the late summer sunlight, sending sunbursts across the surface. This place really was magic: serene water surrounded by forests, and mountains that seemed to spring up from the lake’s edge. I was determined to enjoy this day. I wasn’t going to let my mind obsess over this attraction I had to Walker anymore.
I nearly choked on my water as the subject of my inner vow peeled off his t-shirt. A feast of bronzed skin greeted me. He was ripped. Not in a bodybuilder kind of way. In a real way. In a way that said he earned the muscles from hard work, not hours on end spent at the gym. He had a dusting of chest hair that perfectly completed the picture.
I wanted to trace the ridges with my fingertips. Feel that dusting of hair tickle my skin. I gulped, forcing myself to avert my eyes. I needed a distraction. I stood, pulled off my tank, and quickly shucked my shorts. “Who wants to go swimming?”
Noah bounded up immediately. “Me! Grandpa, can you take me and Tay Tay out on the tube?”
“Tube?” I asked.
Jensen grinned. “It’s Noah’s favorite thing in the whole world. We have a double tube that my dad tows behind the boat. It’s pretty fun.”
Cold water and an adrenaline rush. This was just the ticket to distraction. “I’m in.”