Audrey leaned her head against the wall with the melody “A Drop in the Ocean” by Ron Pope playing just for her. Tate played it beautifully, and it always made her breathless. She wondered what it would be like to lie on his piano and watch him play. She bet it would be a sight to see and that she would enjoy every moment, but she knew she couldn’t do it. A little piece of her, okay, maybe a big piece, was already smitten with him.
Tate was funny, he was sweet, and he loved Aiden. He wanted to know her, he didn’t just want to sleep with her. So why couldn’t she just give herself to him? Throw all her reservations in the air and just jump in? Because, she reminded herself, that’s what she always did. She just jumped right in. She listened to the horny little girlie parts instead of her mind. Maybe waiting and being patient would work this time. But was Tate that guy?
When her phone went off, she picked it up, looking down at the display. It was Facebook.
Tate Odder wants to be friends. Accept his friendship?
Did she want to?
Her eyes fell shut, listening to the music that took her to another world. As she sat drifting with her head against the wall, engrossed in the music, she couldn’t help but imagine the scene differently, the same music, a perfect little child in her arms with blond hair and blue eyes, its daddy playing his piano for them.
She had no clue what that meant, but it didn’t matter because she picked up her phone and hit Accept.
Chapter 9
“Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend. Your boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend.”
Audrey shot Aiden a grin in the rearview mirror as she turned into the Brentwood area. Aiden took the lead while Audrey backed him up, banging her fist against the steering wheel with each beat. As the two jammed to the best boy band ever, she couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.
Pulling into the Adlers’ circular driveway, Audrey parked behind a little red convertible. She walked around her car, opening the doors as Aiden came up beside her, bouncing with excitement.
“Shelli is gonna love her cupcakes!”
Audrey smiled. “I hope so! Can you do me a favor and go get Mr. Shea, or Mrs. Elli, so they can help me?”
“I can help.”
Audrey jumped at the sound of Tate’s voice. She turned to see him towering over her, looking so freaking good that she found herself overheating in the cold Tennessee air. He looked amazing in a dark gray cardigan that covered a white button-up shirt. He wore khaki pants with dark boots. His outfit wasn’t what she was looking at, though. It was his eyes. They were always so bright, and with his hair falling into them, she was finding it hard to form coherent thoughts. But then she noticed that he hadn’t shaved.
For the love of God.
It didn’t matter how many times she mentally reminded herself that they could only be friends, she couldn’t help but think that Tate was looking way more delectable than the cupcakes she had spent hours concocting.
She wanted to lick him like she did the cupcake.
Mmmmm … what a fantastic thought.
“Hey, Tate!” Aiden exclaimed before jumping up to high-five him.
“Hey, bud,” Tate said with a wide smile. He ruffled Aiden’s hair before looking over at her. “Hey, Audrey, can I help?”
She could only nod as she moved out of the way for him to grab the four platters of cupcakes that sat on her front and back seats. Tate and Aiden made their way inside as she grabbed the last plate, then took a deep breath. That boy was too damn sexy for his own good.
Jeez.
“Hey.”
Audrey turned to see Piper coming up behind her. She was wearing a pair of tight jeans and a large sweater that hung off her bare shoulders. Her hair looked like a bird’s nest on top of her head and large sunglasses covered her eyes. Audrey could also tell that she skipped putting on makeup.
“Aw, you poor thing, you look like death,” Audrey said, wrapping an arm around her best friend’s shoulders. “I made yummy cupcakes that will make you feel better, come on.”