Just a Taste Read Online Free PDF

driving.”
    See, she knew he was one of those super-responsible guys. That’s what her dad had always said. Liam is a good boy. Find a man like him, Carmen, and you’ll be fine. “My dad really loved you.”
    Liam froze, his arm in the air again to get the waitress’s attention. When the waitress came over he ordered for them. Then he turned in his seat to fully face her. “I loved Gus too. I’m sorry I wasn’t around more.”
    â€œShoot. I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. I was thinking about him and you and stuff he always said.”
    â€œI know, but I do feel bad. We talked on the phone sometimes, but I should’ve made time to visit.”
    She reached out and rubbed his forearm. Her dark skin contrasted sharply with his pale complexion. “He understood. He liked that you were going after your dreams and finding success. You were like a son to him.”
    The alcohol had her babbling and she hadn’t even started on her third one yet. She didn’t want to stop, though. Allowing the alcohol to relax her was freeing. She didn’t have to put on a brave face for anyone. She didn’t have to pretend to know what she was doing or that she had her shit together.
    Right here, in this moment, she could just be a halfway drunk girl hanging out with an old friend. A cute old friend, which made the evening better.

    Liam wished Carmen would stop touching him. He was a good guy, a respectful man, but she tempted him in ways her younger self only had had a glimpse of. The alcohol worked its magic, and she had relaxed and opened up. The smiles she offered were genuine, unlike the plastered-on version he’d seen at the wake and the funeral. Her warm brown eyes laughed while she spoke, telling stories of the restaurant when they’d both been little more than kids.
    She flirted with him now. He had no idea if it was the alcohol causing it, or the desperation borne of grief and loneliness, or if she simply wanted to flirt. He reminded himself that she wasn’t in a good place and she had things to figure out for herself. He had brought her out as a friend, out of respect for Gus and his love for his daughter. It would kill Gus all over again to see her suffer like this.
    Carmen finished her fourth margarita and Liam suggested it was time to leave. She sighed. “Yeah, it’s time. I’m feeling pretty buzzed.”
    She shoved away from her chair and wobbled enough that she slapped her hand on the table for balance. Liam grabbed her arm.
    â€œAre you okay?”
    â€œI’m just out of practice for getting drunk, that’s all.” She said it with a smile, as if nothing could possibly bother her.
    Her dark hair caught under her jacket as she slipped it on. He reached over and pulled her hair out. The silky strands flowed over his fingers and the backs of his hands as it trailed down her back. “Thanks,” she said, and he noticed the unfocused look in her eyes.
    He held her arm as they wound through the bar toward the exit. She pulled away and put her arm around his waist and leaned into him. She giggled. “I think I’m more than buzzed.”
    He slid his arm around her shoulder and guided her to the car. The blast of cold air zipped through him, but her soft body against him kept him warm. At the car, he turned her to lean against the back door while he opened the passenger side. She wove in place.
    â€œAre you going to be sick?”
    She laughed again. “I said I was out of practice, not stupid. I didn’t drink enough to puke.” She staggered to the door and plopped her butt in the seat. Looking up at him with her brilliant smile, she said, “Thanks for this. You really are a good guy.”
    Liam waited until she shifted her legs in and then closed the door.
    By the time he got behind the wheel, Carmen had leaned her head against the passenger window and her eyes were closed. He probably shouldn’t