Page 56 of Broken: Taylor

Tori never tried to attack Tobias on that front. However, they’d moved past that point a long time ago. Tobias latest tactic was to pick fights with her on any topic. Leah had once kidded that the constant bickering had turned into a sort of love-language between them.

The only thing between her and Tobias was animosity. That her stomach tumbled at seeing him was never because of attraction anymore. No, what she felt was dread at whatever brought him around and what he’d say or do that would anger her to the point of wanting to lash out physically.

So much forthe next day starting out well. Rain pelted at her bedroom window and while Tori showered and got dressed, an employee called in sick. Something about cooler weather and rain. It made people want to stay home. Hell, she wanted to stay home.

Good thing she loved her job. Owning Victoria’s had been a dream come true and Tori did enjoy it most days.

To put the cherry on top of her craptastic morning however, Tobias’ truck was parked just down the block. She would have to walk past it to get to the restaurant.

Umbrella up, she rushed across the street to avoid running into Tobias. A woman stood under an awning and waved to her. It was an older woman, Ellen, the owner of a small bookstore one street over. “Hey Tori. You won’t believe this...”

What Tori couldn’t believe was that the woman wanted to have a conversation in the pouring rain. She hesitated when Ellen, who’d pulled her hood up, hurried toward her. “My tire is flatter than a pancake and I have to visit my husband at the senior center today.”

Tori craned her neck to see a man was crouched down replacing the tire. “You actually got someone to come out and change it? I would have loaned you my car.”

“Oh honey.” Ellen patted her shoulder. “Sweet Tobias offered to change it. He would have taken me, but said he’s got someone coming to town today.”

Sweet Tobias? Right. Tori looked again and sure enough it was him. The man was drenched, but didn’t seem to mind by the grin when he looked to Ellen. “All done Mrs. Dean.”

Once again Ellen patted Tori. “It’s a shame. You let a good one go. I bet his sweetie will start pressuring him for a ring soon.”

Sweetie? Tori blew out a breath and rolled her eyes at the retreating woman’s back. Whoever the “sweetie” was, she could have all of “sweet Tobias”.

“Hey,” Tobias called. “You don’t have to rush. You won’t melt that’s for sure.”

Not wanting to scream out an obscenity, Tori mouthed “Fuck You,” and flashed him the middle finger.