The entire way to the diner, Taylor reassured herself that Skylar really would come to meet her when she entered the restaurant. It was always stressful to meet someone for an outing because she literally had no idea if they were already there or if she’d arrived first. It was awkward for everyone. At least it felt that way to Taylor.
After parking, she took a deep breath and headed for the door to the diner. She didn’t have time to even look around before she saw a woman heading toward her. Taylor knew it wasn’t Skylar, because this woman was older.
“Are you Taylor?” the woman asked.
Taylor nodded.
“Great! I’m Rosie. I own this place. Skylar asked me to keep an eye out for you. Said I’d know you on sight because of your amazing curly hair. And she’s right—it’s lovely. Come on, Skylar’s over here.”
Taylor relaxed. There was something about Rosie that made her feel comfortable immediately, which was quite a feat, as Taylor wasn’t comfortable around many people in general.
Rosie led her toward a table in the back of the small diner, and a woman stood and smiled as they approached.
“Hi, Taylor, it’s Skylar,” the woman said brightly.
Taylor appreciated the easy way she let her know who she was without making a big deal out of it. Surprising herself, Taylor gave her a short hug. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Thanks for coming,” Skylar replied.
“It smells amazing in here,” Taylor said.
“That’s because Rosie’s a genius,” Skylar replied, smiling at the older woman who was still standing next to them. “Although, I have to say, Shawn’s giving her a run for her money.”
“That’s the guy they hired to cook for Silverstone, right?” Rosie asked.
“Yup. And seriously, he should have his own restaurant, he’s that good.”
“So why doesn’t he?” Rosie retorted.
Skylar shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you tell him if he wants any advice or has any questions about starting up his own place, I’m happy to answer them for him.”
“I will,” Skylar said, beaming.
“Good. How’re Bull and the rest of the guys?”
Skylar’s easy smile slipped a bit, but Taylor had a feeling she was the only one who noticed. “They’re all good. Busy as usual.”
“Tell them I haven’t seen them in way too long and they need to get their butts in here,” Rosie demanded. It was easy to see the genuine affection she had for the men of Silverstone. Taylor couldn’t blame her.
“I will,” Skylar reassured.
“Good. I’ll leave you guys to your lunch, then,” Rosie said. “Enjoy.”
“Thanks,” Taylor said at the same time Skylar did. Then they both sat.
“Sorry I didn’t meet you at the door. When I got here, Rosie wanted to know why I was by myself and where Bull was. She was asking so many questions that I used you as an excuse to distract her. She offered to bring you to the table, so I agreed.”
“It’s more than all right. She seems very nice.”
“She is,” Skylar said. “Bull brought me here for our first date.”
“Really?” Taylor asked.
“Yup. I much preferred this place to anywhere fancy.”
“I agree,” Taylor told her.
They were interrupted by the waitress arriving at their table. They gave her their drink selections, and she said she’d be back to take their food order. Taylor examined the menu, and Skylar gave her some suggestions, but said that everything was delicious. She settled on a simple BLT sandwich with fries, and Skylar decided on a hamburger with a side salad.
When the waitress had left a second time, Skylar leaned forward on her elbows and asked with a smile, “So . . . what’s up with you and Eagle?”
Taylor almost choked on the sweet tea she’d just taken a sip of. But Skylar looked so innocent and excited, she couldn’t bear to be rude and tell her to mind her own business. Besides, wasn’t this what friends did? Gossip and talk about their love lives? Taylor wasn’t exactly sure, since she’d never really had a true friend, but she didn’t want to chase Skylar off.
Slowly putting down her tea, she shrugged. “We’re friends,” she told the other woman.
Skylar looked skeptical. “Friends?”
“Yeah.”
“But he told you about Silverstone,” Skylar said in a quiet voice.
Taylor nodded.
Skylar sat up straighter. “I don’t get it, then. I mean, I thought the guys agreed not to tell anyone about what they do unless they were ready to spend the rest of their lives with that person.”
Goose bumps rose on Taylor’s arms. She’d had no idea about that little detail. “Well, he told me that it wasn’t something they went around announcing to the world, and that his family didn’t know, but he said he trusted me.”
Skylar stared at her for a long moment before nodding. “I understand.”
“You do?” Taylor asked. “Because I don’t.”
“I obviously don’t know everything about the other guys,” Skylar said, “but Bull has told me a bit. I know that Eagle hasn’t seriously dated anyone in a long time. He and the others have been very focused on making both Silverstone and Silverstone Towing successful. But I can see how he might take one look at you and decide you were it for him.”
Taylor shook her head. “It’s not like that,” she protested, but deep down, it felt wonderful to know Skylar thought Eagle liked her as more than just a friend.
“Oh?” Skylar asked. “How often have you seen or talked to him since you met?”
Taylor blushed. “Just about every day.”
“Right. Guys like Eagle—and Bull, Smoke, and Gramps, for that matter—are pretty straightforward. They don’t lead women on, and they say what they mean. If you and Eagle are talking every day, it’s because he likes you.”
“You think so?” Taylor asked shyly.
“I know so,” she said confidently. “The question is, do you like him back? I mean, would you consider dating him?”
“Consider it? Hell, I’ve dreamed about it,” Taylor admitted.
Skylar beamed. “What are you waiting for?”
“I just . . . I don’t want to lose him as a friend.”
“You won’t.”
“You can’t know that. Things are really good between us right now. Laid back, relaxed.”
“Foreplay,” Skylar said with a gleam in her eye.
“What?”
“It’s foreplay. You’re feeling each other out. Learning what the other likes and doesn’t like. Tiptoeing around. I have a hunch that things will change in your relationship when you least expect it.” Her voice lowered, and she grinned as she said, “And it’s going to be hot.”
Taylor couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m not sure I’m all that good at sex.”
“Doesn’t matter. You both could be complete virgins, but when you’re with the right person, experience doesn’t make one whit of difference. The first time I was with Bull was magical. It wasn’t awkward in the least, and Lord, girl, the way he made me feel . . .” Her words trailed off, and she got a goofy look on her face.