“She’s nothing like Sage, is she?” Taylor said, secretly rather intimidated by Callan, even though they were practically the same age.
“Nope. But none of the Carrigan girls are alike. Just as the Sheenan brothers are all so different.” McKenna turned back around, faced Taylor. “Speaking of the Sheenans, how is it that you and Troy are going to the Ball together?”
“Jane set us up,” Taylor said, happy to see their drinks arrive. McKenna had ordered a margarita on the rocks and Taylor a glass of red wine. Now all they needed was some food and things would be perfect.
McKenna touched her finger to the salt rimming her glass. “Didn’t Jane used to have a thing for Troy?”
Taylor nodded. “Troy claims it was one-sided.”
“I believe it.” McKenna licked salt from her fingertip. “Jane’s not his type.”
“Why not? She’s really smart and successful and—”
“A little too abrasive.”
“Jane’s not abrasive!”
“She’s pushy.”
“It’s her job to get things done.”
McKenna shrugged. “Troy likes sweet girls. Nice girls. Smart girls.” She lifted her glass, sipped her margarita, green eyes gleaming. “Girls like you.”
Taylor nearly choked on her wine. “He doesn’t like me.”
“He must like you if he’s kissed you.”
“He kissed me as a test. It was to see if we had chemistry.”
“I see. And this is the test you claim you failed?”
“Yes.”
McKenna laughed quietly and then sipped her margarita again. “He’s playing you.”
“He’s not.”
“Troy Sheenan would never kiss you if there wasn’t a little spark. If he felt absolutely no attraction, he wouldn’t even bother with a kiss.” McKenna shook her glass, letting the ice cubes clink. “Where were you when you kissed?”
“Main Street Diner.”
“What?”
“That’s what I mean. It wasn’t a romantic kiss. He leaned across the table and kissed me to see if there were any... sparks.”
“He did this all at Main Street Diner.”
“Yes.”
McKenna grinned, green eyes gleaming. “Good Lord, girl. He’s definitely interested. He would never kiss you, much less take you to a Ball if he wasn’t.”
“Jane arranged the Ball part.”
“Troy doesn’t do pity dates.” McKenna’s arched brows rose higher. “Troy Sheenan doesn’t have to.”
“Maybe not a pity date, but it’s not a date date. That’s why he kissed me. To make sure we could be friends, and so that’s what we are.”
“But you liked kissing him.”
Taylor blushed. “He knows what he’s doing.”
“You just need confidence.”
“I am confident.”
“Maybe as a librarian, but not as a woman.” McKenna suddenly leaned forward, and reaching out, plucked the glasses from Taylor’s nose. “Why do you wear these all the time now? You didn’t use to.”
“I need them,” Taylor answered, sticking her hand out, palm up. “May I have them back?”
“When you first moved here, you hardly ever wore your glasses. Now I never see you in contacts.”
“I like my glasses,” Taylor said a little stiffly. “And I can’t see you right now, so I’d like them back.”
McKenna put them in her hand. “Here you go. And don’t be mad. I wasn’t trying to be hurtful. I’m just curious. And maybe concerned.”
“Concerned, why?”
“I don’t know. I just kept thinking that maybe something happened.” She must have seen Taylor’s expression because she quickly added, “I get the feeling that you’re hiding, or just hiding behind the glasses. But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m just... projecting.”
A whistle from the pool tables drew Taylor’s attention and she glanced over at Callan who had her hand out, collecting dollar bills. It seemed she’d just won another game.
“I’m not hiding anything,” Taylor said after a moment. “Just trying to... look... older.”
“Why?”
Taylor shrugged. “I was told back in early December that I didn’t look mature enough. That I was too young. So I’m trying to dress more age appropriately.”
“Age appropriate for what? Too young for what? Take over Margaret’s job as head librarian?”
“No.” Taylor hesitated, her heart pounding a little too fast, making her suddenly queasy. She really didn’t like discussing Doug with others. Family dynamics were difficult enough without other people weighing in. “Take care of my brother.”