AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Jessica, great to see you. Jared . . . Jared,” Tyler greets the man who stands up to give him one of those man hugs that include heavy pats on the back.
Just looking at the two together tells me that they must have gotten into a lot of trouble back in their younger days. They both have that devilishly handsome look that screams trouble, tall and sturdy with mischievous glints in their eyes. They scream double trouble.
“And you must be Maria.” Jared turns to me, giving me a small side hug before sitting back down.
“I am. It’s nice to meet you both.” I smile as I slide into the other side of the booth with Tyler.
He sits very close to me, pressing his body against mine. Earlier, I worried that Tyler may act differently with me in front of his friend.
Jessica gives me a tense smile, but it doesn’t fully reach her eyes. She’s a bit reserved, though I completely understand that’s just how some people are.
“So, Maria, I imagine something has to be wrong for you to be with Tyler. Have you lost all your senses? Are you in dire need of citizenship? This is a secret arranged marriage that Tyler has never mentioned before?” Jared lists, followed by a thud and a small jerk from him, telling me that Tyler must have kicked him under the table.
“No, none of that.” I laugh, finding the banter between the two entertaining. “Though, Tyler, are you in need of citizenship?”
“Ha ha,” he laughs sarcastically before pressing a kiss to my temple. “I’ll have you know, a previous marriage of mine already settled that problem.”
I look at him wide eyed, the comment catching me off guard.
Is he serious?
Tyler bursts out laughing at the expression on my face.
“I’m kidding. I’m kidding. You looked genuinely concerned,” he tells me, my body relaxing after realizing it was only a jest.
Though, with our ten-year age difference, I wouldn’t put it past him that he’s lived a whole life before meeting me.
“So, how did you two meet?” Jessica asks. It seems to be more so as to not appear rude rather than being truly interested.
Tyler and I glance at each other, silently deciding it’s okay, considering neither of the two are my father.
“Well, one night, Tyler tried and failed to pick me up at a bar,” I begin, earning a scoff from Tyler.
“She was playing hard to get. My charms were immaculate. Anyway,” he begins, preparing to continue on with the story, “it turns out Maria is the daughter of my boss at the firm.”
This appears to be of some interest to Jessica as her eyes widen.
“I’m a teacher, and my dad volunteered Tyler to come help me in the classroom,” I explain, Jared appearing deeply amused by the story. Though, I’m sure he already knows it.
“And the rest is history,” Tyler concludes, obnoxiously throwing his arm over my shoulders as he squeezes me into his side.
“As cute as the story sounds,” Jared says clapping his hands together, “I’m a bit naughty, and it’s still happy hour. Fries and half of a margarita pitcher?”
He’s already heading to the bar as we nod in agreement. I’m loosened up, not feeling as awkward. I like Jared and Jessica well enough.
As Jared’s coming back, it looks like someone is tailing him on the way to the table. I can’t tell if he notices the woman or not, but the way her eyes dart between me and Tyler is obvious.
“She insisted on coming to say hi,” Jared grumbles less than enthusiastically.
“Not to you,” she bites back, though she keeps a smile on her face as she does it, directing it to Tyler.
“Hey, Tyler, it’s been a minute,” she says, letting one hand lean on the end of our table as she angles her body to face us.
Which is pretty unsettling on my end because it puts her irritatingly close to me.
“It has, Harper. What brings you out tonight?” Tyler asks in an obvious effort to be polite, though I can feel his body turning rigid.
She has dark brunette hair, cut in stylish layers and with bangs that perfectly frame her heart-shaped face. In a pair of ripped jeans and a cut-off band T-shirt, I feel like she’s the epitome of “cool.”
