Refusing the offer for another drink, Taylor sighed and sat back more in the pleather booth. This was supposed to be more entertaining than what it was turning out to be.
   The waitress unglued herself from one of the customers and staggered towards him. "You ever going to have a real drink, Honey?" She murmured in a low smoky voice, her smile widening slowly with intent.
   Rolling his eyes, Taylor automatically grabbed the bridge of his hat and make sure it covered his eyes. "No, ma'am."
   Her own eyes widened delightfully, "my oh my. A polite one."
   She moved to sit with him, when Taylor held up his hand and shook his head. "Please, don't." He asked softly, and she froze in mid-sit. "I just wanted to be alone tonight. Plus, I'll be going home soon."
   He could tell she didn't appreciate his dismissal of her and her charms when she straightened abruptly. Her eyes had softened from the refusal, then narrowed and her lips thinned. "Suit yourself, baby. But if you like, I'm sure I can find a guy for you to take home."
   The return insult for injury surprised him, then offended. He grabbed her wrist when she started to sashay away. "I'm not gay, ma'am. Nor do I appreciate being categorized as one from someone who was bitter over being rejected."
   Twisting in his grip, she glared. "Don't touch, baby. That's one thing you never do to me."
   His mouth quirked, even though she couldn't see it because of the shadow coming from the bill of his hat. "My apologies then." He murmured, letting go.
   She moved her face close to his, angry that she didn't know whom he was, and he wasn't volunteering any information. "What is it that you want?"
   "Just to be left alone."
   It was whispered, and she had to lean a little farther to hear it clearly, but there was no mistaking the vehemence in the short statement.
   Straightening up again, she nodded shortly. "Fine then. I'll make sure you are."
   She left then, her fingers 'fixing' her halter-top and adjusting her mini skirt as she walked off. Loudly boasting that they 'cute guy in the back was a loner and to back off.'
   He smiled at that, and finished the club soda drink he had ordered when he first walked in. The taste left much to be desired, but he was only there to watch and not kick back and have fun.
   Standing up, he pulled out his wallet along with a few bills and tossed them down onto the shiny black tabletop. He nodded to the loud mouth waitress who was once again plastered against the same guy she had been with nearly all night.
   As he walked out, he tried to keep his laughter to himself. And his jealousy. She was just another female anyway. It's not like he had shortage of them or anything. She was just… different. Even more so now.
   Removing his keys and sliding into his little sports car. He gripped the steering for a moment before ripping the ball cap off and running a hand through his hair in aggravation.
   The outfit suited him for his purpose. To move and out of the crowd with no high pitched screams following behind him. Or over-sexed teenaged females.
   He had to admit though, Grace did look good. She didn't act or look as she did a few months ago. That was a surprise, and it bothered him she changed so much. He liked her when she was so sweet and shy, now she was a gorgeous siren and outgoing like Emma was.
   Emma… the name was still capable of causing him to shudder.
   Groaning, he stuck his key in the ignition and started the engine before grabbing his seatbelt and buckling up. She had to have done this to Grace. No one else had the power or influence to do it.
   The small consolation of it all though, was the pure gratification of being able to tell Zac how his 'innocent Grace' took the disgraceful fall.    He chuckled at the delight it caused him, the mental picture of his brother's face falling at the news.
   Tightening his grip, he let his foot press a little harder on the gas pedal. Wanting to get home even more quickly than before.