I changed into a pair of fitted jeans and the boots Grey bought for me. I hadn’t worn them nearly enough. It was warm, so I opted for a black tank top. Sleeveless was best on these Indian summer nights. I shook my hair down around my shoulders. I thought I looked like any other Texas girl. Only, right now, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Grey hobbled through the door, banding his crutches on the frame. “You look dressed up for something.”
I twirled on my heels. “Drinks? Dinner?” I scowled at the puzzled look on his face. “Taylor is here.”
“Oh shit.” He sat on the bed. “I forgot that was tonight.”
“We talked about it this morning. How did you already forget?”
“I’ve been playing catch up all day. Never thought about it again after you mentioned it.” He braced himself with one crutch. “I’ll take a shower and be ready in ten minutes.”
He staggered to the bathroom.
I could let him off the hook. Tell him I’d make it a girls’ night, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted Taylor to see how happy I was with Grey. That I moved for all the right reasons and that fairy tale endings did come true. Although, what kind of fairy tale was I living? I landed on my back, taking up most of the bed.
“Darlin?”
“Yep?”
“I left my jeans in the closet. Could you bring them to me?”
I moved off the bed and walked to the spare room where Grey kept his clothes. All his jeans looked the same to me, so I randomly grabbed a pair.
I knocked on the door and shoved them through. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” The door closed again.
I stared at the barrier between us. Since when did we dress behind closed doors and always shower alone? I sighed and walked to the kitchen. This wasn’t the love I was excited to show off.
Taylor’s eyes widened as we walked into Pete’s. She wasn’t used to all the cowboy hats, country music, or sunsets on the sound.
“This is amazing.” She stood next to the bar.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “How about a sunset table and a pitcher of margaritas?”
“Let’s do it.” We walked arm in arm to one of the front water seats. Grey maneuvered through the tables with his crutches.
Maybe I should have moved some of the chairs out of the way to make sure he had a clear path, but he had made it clear over the past two weeks that he could do things on his own. He didn’t need me.
The margaritas were the perfect mixture of salty and sweet. I didn’t think Mac had ever made a better batch. I grinned as he walked toward our table.
“How’s everyone over here doing tonight? Eden, this your friend from North Carolina?”
“Sure is. Taylor, meet Mac, best bartender on the island. Mac, meet Taylor, the best roommate a girl could have.”
“Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand. “Hope you have a great vacation in South Padre. Grey and Eden put you up at the Palm?”
Taylor took a sip of her margarita. “Yes, I love it. The place is adorable.”
“Good. I’ve got to get back to the bar. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Nice meeting you, Mac.”
I reached for the pitcher and poured another round for Taylor and me, making sure to fill the blue glasses to the top.
Taylor turned to Grey. “So, what’s the deal with your secret uncle showing up?”
“Taylor.” I nudged her arm with my elbow.
“Oh, sorry. Am I not supposed to bring that up?”
Grey shifted his hurt leg with both hands. “I don’t know, Taylor. I haven’t talked to him much. Eden probably knows more about him than I do.”
Her eyes darted to me.
“That’s not true. I’ve only talked to him a handful of times.” I dove into my margarita.
“Well, I want to meet him.”
Grey’s expression became sourer. “And why’s that?”
“Because how many people do you know have a mysterious relative show up out of the blue? It’s reality TV stuff.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think Mason’s that exciting. I don’t want you to be disappointed when you see him around.” I was admittedly holding back details about his sparkly eyes and chiseled jaw. One look at him and Taylor would melt.
“I just want to see him. You know I’m curious.”
Grey rolled his eyes. “You should get your chance since he’s staying at the Palm.”
“He is?” Taylor questioned me.
“I thought I told you that part.” I couldn’t remember how much of the story I had relayed to her. Ever since Grey’s accident, life had been a blur.
The margaritas were going down faster than they should. I reached for the pitcher, ready for my third one.
“Who else am I going to meet this week?” Taylor held her glass forward for me.
“Marin and Pick just got engaged. You’ll meet them, and then Pick’s best friend, Connor. I think that’s it.”
“Oh, what about Connor? Is he my type?” She grinned playfully.
“Umm, Connor’s a sweetheart really, but I don’t know that you’re going to be into him like that.” Connor was way too thin and lanky for my friend.
I knew we were analyzing the physical aspects of the Padre men—probably not Grey’s topic of choice—but I was surprised when he eased himself from the seat and leaned on his crutches.
“Where are you going?” I asked.