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“Yeah?” He looked up, surprised.

She laughed, squinting one eye. “I kind of went along with it too? I think I get more friend vibes from us than anything else.”

He relaxed at that, blowing out a breath. “Me too. So, friends then?” He held out his hand. She laughed and shook it.

“Friends.”

“Phew.” They shared a smile, the instant relief visible.

“So, can I ask why you haven’t told Larry?”

He looked at her seriously then. “Like I hinted at before, my family hasn’t been the best, and they definitely didn’t want to know about… my lifestyle choices… once I told them.”

Her brow furrowed. “Wow. That’s a low blow. I still don’t understand how any parent could do that to their own kid. Larry on the other hand,”—she tapped a finger against her chin—“I can’t say for sure, but I feel like he’d be one of the good ones. Have you thought about telling him?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “We can also just talk about the weather if you prefer?” she said, offering him an out.

“No, no,” he looked up to the sky as if waiting for the answers to rain down on him. “Of course I have. I just feel like he’s the only family I’ve got right now, and he’s only recently become a bigger part of my life.” He focused back on her, almost searching for the answers she wasn’t sure she had.

“And you don’t want to lose that,” she offered, nodding along.

“No,” he said quietly.

“Well, maybe one way about it could be to test the waters, so to speak. Talk about the topic in some way unrelated to you, and gauge his reaction. It might give you the confidence you’re looking for to have that conversation together, and with any luck, bring you both even closer.”

“That’s actually not a bad idea.”

“All I know is bottling these things up only hurts you further. Trust me.”

“Okay, oh wise one,” he said with a smirk as the café owner appeared with their coffees and toasties.

“Thanks.” They said in unison.

“Right, time for some brighter ‘first date’ topics,” she air-quoted, grinning.

Jase just shook his head with a smile.

Chapter Thirteen

Okay, so Taylor wasn’t ignoring Samper se, but she’d hardly spoken to her since she ended the call a little abruptly on Saturday. Fine, maybe it wasa “lottle” abruptly. She knew it was extremely childish and immature, and yet here she was. She didn’t want to hear about Sam’s date, and thankfully, she’d avoided the question so far. Though she knew her luck was sure to run out very soon.

She arrived at the mini-golf entrance and started making her way up the stairs. Neon pink and blue lights guided her up to the third floor of the complex where she spied Sam waiting for her at the top.

She looked unfairly good in a fitted camel sweater, black jeans and ankle boots. Her hair was swept to the side as she leaned back on the railing, staring into the dim room ahead. Taylor took a moment to appreciate the view, her insides at war with a mix of having confirmed Sam was now most likely dating Larry’s grandson and still reminding herself that she didn’t want to get involved with anyone anyway. Even if she maybe, totally did in this moment. Especially with Sam standing there looking likethat.

“Hey!” Sam called, spotting her coming up the stairs and turning around.

“Hi yourself.” Taylor smiled, taking the last couple of steps. Sam opened her arms for a hug, and Taylor didn’t hesitate, moving straight into her space. Why did her hugs have to feel so good? Why was she even torturing herself like this? She should’ve just bailed on tonight, gone back to client status only with Sam.

“Glad you could make it. I really didn’t want to third wheel,” Sam cringed, gesturing over to a guy and girl standing together at the bar. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

She pulled Taylor along by the hand, not even giving her a chance to get her bearings. There was a whirl of more neon, the start of the course, then the bar, where they stopped in front of who she assumed were Sam’s friends. Sam dropped her hand to introduce them, much to her disappointment.

The two friends were huddled close, the woman giggling at something he’d said, her curls bouncing as she let out a full-on snort laugh, leaning a hand on his shoulder.

Sam’s lips quirked, her eyebrow raised as she gave Taylor a look that said, “See what I mean?”She wasn’t wrong;shealmost felt like a third wheel, even with Sam standing right next to her.

Sam let out a small cough, her friend finally registering their presence.