“Oh, we’ve been better. We traveled to Jacob’s Winery, only to find out that it was closed for a wedding. Guess we should have called.” Mrs. McCain reveals more information than the hostess wanted to know, I’m sure.
I try to sneak a peek. “Yes, calling next time is a must,” my mom chimes in, patting Mrs. McCain’s arm, making her laugh.
From their mannerisms, I’d swear they’ve already shared a few bottles of wine.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I have a table right this way. I know you prefer the window area, but unfortunately, you’ll have to be in the back tonight.”
Please don’t glance over here. Please.
My dad begins to twist around to check out the tables until a waiter drops a glass behind the bar.
“No problem. We’re happy you can fit us in,” Mr. McCain speaks up.
I watch the four of them weave through the tables until reaching the last one in the back.
Tanner grabs his wallet and tosses a bunch of bills on the table. Standing up, leaving his back to them, he holds out his hand. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
I waste no time in taking his hand, and he keeps his body turned, shielding me in case my parents glance over. When we exit the front door, I release the huge breath I was holding, bending over to compose myself. Tanner laughs so hard that I’d think we just left a comedy club.
“Shit, that was close.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer.
“Yeah, it was.” I join him in the amusement of the secret getaway.
He shuffles me to the Jeep, and I don’t wait for him to open the door for me. Instead, I jump in as he starts the Jeep, and he immediately backs out of the spot.
When we head back on Route 31, he turns my way when we’re stopped at a red light. “I’m sorry, Piper.”
His face is so sorrowful that I want to grab it with both hands and press my lips against his.
“It’s okay.” I place my hand on his forearm, squeezing it once.
“I wanted tonight to be special. I’ll make it up to you.”
“There’s nothing to make up. I appreciate the thought. You covered our bases. Who would have guessed our parents wouldn’t have called Jacob’s first?” I attempt to lift him up.
He presses on the gas when the light changes. “I don’t want to take you home. Where can we go where no one will see us?” he asks.
For the life of me, I can’t think. By the time we arrive back to campus, we’ll have the worry of Brad to contend with.
“Wendi’s gone.” I bite my lower lip since I’m inviting him to my very empty apartment on our first date. Way to play hard to get, Piper.
“Your brother is two floors up.”
“He thinks I’m with the team after the meet. He’s probably way too busy with Taylor anyway.” I shrug, trying to convince Tanner to come home with me. I might as well strip off my dress right here and straddle him in the car.
“Let’s at least pick up some food. Give me your second favorite place to eat.”
“Um . . . probably Red’s.” I cringe, figuring he’ll shoot the restaurant down. I’ve tried to drag Brad and Tanner there on numerous occasions, only to be diverted to the pizza place next door.
“The vegan place?” His shoulders deflate, and he rolls his eyes to the side.
“We can go somewhere else though,” I quickly stutter out, cowering down.
“No, Piper. We’ll go there. You can order for me because I’m a little worried it won’t give me the energy I need for tonight.” He stops the truck at the light, and his hand ventures over to my thigh, tightly squeezing it within his grasp. “And I’m pretty sure I’ll need a lot of energy.”
My heart bulges out of my chest at his mention of us being together tonight. Will I finally sleep with Tanner? I tentatively smile his way before he focuses back on the road in front of him, pressing on the gas a little harder this time.
five
AS TANNER CARRIES TWO BROWN paper bags, we sneak into our apartment building. A heaviness grew in my throat when I asked Tanner to park on the opposite corner where he usually does, so Brad won’t think he is home or look for him elsewhere—like my apartment. This whole sneaking-around behavior makes it seem like I’m a mistress, and this is our first date. It’s as though we’re hiding some sort of affair. Well, I guess we are.
I open my door and retreat to the kitchen to set up the breakfast bar, but Tanner has other plans. He leisurely walks over to the couch and plops the food down on the coffee table. After grabbing a few paper plates and silverware, I go to join him, and my throat constricts. There’s something more intimate now that we’re in my apartment, behind a locked door, with no interruptions coming from a waiter asking if we’d like another drink, or from the hustle of a restaurant diverting our attention or giving us a topic of conversation.
Will I be able to hold his interest when it’s just us?
When he takes the plates from me, I swear his hands linger a little longer.
“Why does Wendi keep going home every weekend?”
I kneel down next to him and inhale the smell of his cologne while my fingers fumble with the silverware. “She’s dating some old boyfriend.” My shoulders rise and fall, showing indifference. Truthfully, I enjoy having the place to myself, especially in times like this.
“Oh.”
He leans his back against the couch, and I admire his long legs stretched out in front of him.
Before I embarrass myself further by wiping the drool I’m positive is dribbling from my mouth, I attempt to keep our conversation casual. “So . . . are you ready for some tofu?”
I grin ear to ear, and in exchange he gives me a cringe.
Tilting my head to the side, my smile doesn’t break at his resistance to give my food suggestion a chance. “Come on, it won’t be that bad.”
“Says the one who chose it.”
“I’ll tell you what. If you really hate it, I’ll go out and buy you two double cheeseburgers.”
Placing his hand over his heart, his head falls back in the cushions. “Now, you’re talking to me.”
I exaggerate my eye roll, and he laughs.
“Just give it an honest-to-God try, okay?”
Letting out an exasperated breath, he nods at me, placing two fingers up in the air. “Scout’s honor.”
“Nice try, but you were never a scout.” I open the brown bag before pulling out the burritos.
“Was to.” He fights back like an eight-year-old, pulling another giggle out of me.
“When?” I stop my hands and challenge him.
Tanner has telltale signs that show when he’s lying, one being that he diverts eye contact at all costs.
“Before I moved to Marlowe. Cub Scout for six months.” With his stern eyes focusing on mine, he shows how truthful he’s being. “If we hadn’t moved, the wilderness could have been my serenity instead of a swimming pool.”
“Jeez . . . what would the world have done without top swimmer Tanner McCain? All that talent would have been wasted with rubbing two sticks together in the woods,” I joke.
The warmth of his chuckle calms my body.
“I excel in everything I do, so it wouldn’t have mattered.” His tone is so steady that anyone else would suspect he’s an egomaniac, but I’m too familiar with the dry sense of humor he possesses.
“You could have been one of those survivalists on the Discovery Channel. I’m sure viewers wouldn’t have minded seeing you on Naked and Afraid.”
I place the heavy burrito on Tanner’s plate, and he begins to unravel it, cautiously perusing it like he’s about to dissect it in biology class.
“I think I’d be eating something similar to this.” He points to the tofu burrito, not letting up on his displeasure to my choice of eatery.
“Um . . . no! Haven’t you seen how much weight they lose on the show? It’s disgusting.” I sit on my knees, the tension falling off my shoulders.