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"I used to think that I wasn't fine enough. And I used to think that I wasn't wild enough. But I won't waste my time tryin' to figure out. Why you playing games, what's this all about?”
Tara looked at Jax and was suspicious of his sudden interest in going on a “date” the very same day she has lunch with David Hale. As long as she’s known Jax, dates were never his strong point. It was usually, a burger, fries, then the backseat.
“Since when did Charming become a hot spot for Thai food?” she asked incredulously. She had a feeling this might stem from a conversation they had when they hooked back up when she returned to Charming about how she loved Thai and Vietnamese food.
Her dad loved cooking and brought back recipes from ARVN soldiers he served along with during the war. He would tell her stories about serving with Piney Winston and John Teller too.
She had a hard time imagining Jax Teller in the army so when she met his dad at one of the SAMCRO bbq’s as a kid she remembered seeing him and Piney in a black and white photo with her dad. They were all so handsome and she used to think how handsome Jax would be as a soldier.
She was six and Jax was two years older than her. She would usually end up helping Mrs. Teller and her mom prepare the food at the BBQ’s since the boys were off pretending to be Prospects.
Girls weren’t allowed to be part of that game and she laughed at the memory because Kyle Hobart actually told her to go get him a soda because girls could play if they brought the boys sodas. She told Kyle to go ask his mom for a soda and walked away to help her mom and Mrs. Teller.
She realizes now that what they were playing was the boys version of hearing their dad’s tell the women to go get beers, among other things. She couldn’t stop laughing and Jax looked at her funny. She told him about that memory and he started laughing too. Then the memory of Kyle in the TM garage at the last Taste of Charming sobered that laugh up real quick.
This abruptly returned him back to the present conversation.
“Well, we actually were talking about investing in businesses to revitalize Charming. Thai food was outside the box of typical takeout that’s already available here, so a family that was looking into moving here from Stockton talked with us.”
Tara was impressed with how genuinely excited Jax was about the restaurant as he continued, “After Bobby crunched all the numbers, did all the taste testing (of course), and approved the menu we voted it in unanimously. Piney really liked it too and mentioned that your dad loved Vietnamese food when they served with my dad during the war. Hopefully, this will be a good memory for you too.”
Tara almost started crying right then and there. Damn these pregnancy hormones. “Smooth, Teller, I’m not ready for this to be a date, but I’m definitely down with some Thai food.” Tara was really loving all these free meals that also saved her the trouble of cooking too.
“Well, you’ll have to pick me up in a car because I get sick way too easily to get on a bike nowadays. You know what? You can drive me in the Cutlass. Just park your bike at my place and we can go from there.”
Jax loved that idea. He really wanted to make up for the dinner she had planned that he had ruined. This would also mean that he would bring her home and hopefully they could get back in the right direction. He still loves her so much it is physically difficult to not be with her now that he knows she never left Charming.
He might still be single but had drastically cut down on the man-whoring because he wants to be with her. “So this is a club event, kind of a family dinner, so my mom will be there with Abel. I told her not to pull any bullshit, but if you’re not comfortable don’t hesitate to tell me no.”
Tara thought about it and knew it would be good to go. She needs to get out of the house and genuinely wants Gemma to be a part of the baby’s life too. She knew Jax was playing it a bit dirty too by bringing Abel along but she wants to see him so bad. Maybe this will be a good way to start mending fences since they will all be a family soon.
Jax arrived at Tara’s at 5 pm and he drove her to the restaurant in the Cutlass. Tara looked absolutely beautiful. She was wearing a Caroline Herrera Hydrangea-print Silk midi dress with a light bolero jacket and pair of Givenchy ballerina flats. She was absolutely beautiful. Jax couldn’t believe the change in her style. It was so elegant but not over the top.
As they walked into the restaurant, Tara was nervous to see Gemma, but Abel too. Would he remember her? Jax held the door open for her and as they entered the dining area, everyone stopped to look at them.
Apparently, Jax had not let them know he was bringing Tara, because the look of shock was on almost everyone’s face. Gemma actually came over first and said hello with a hug for Tara. Unser too.
She couldn’t help but feel like this was too good to be true but then caught sight of Abel as Jax brought him over. Abel reached for her and she worked overtime to try not to cry. She held him and gave him hugs and kisses.
Jax led her to their table. It was a beautiful restaurant with sunken booths with tables that could seat 10 people. The decor was gorgeous and Tara couldn’t help but feel happy for the first time in a long time. All of the club members greeted her warmly, congratulated her and Jax on the baby, and gave her hugs.
Dinner was served and Tara had a traditional Thai roasted duck curry. She normally loved plum wine, but passed due to the bun in the oven, so to speak. She was careful to eat slowly too due to her nausea issues. She also only ate a little due to duck being so rich. She had the rest packaged to go home.
There were so many people in the restaurant. Some other charters came to celebrate so it got crowded quickly. She then excused herself to the restroom.
As she came out of the stall she was surprised to see Wendy applying her makeup at the mirror. Tara instantly knew this was a setup. Not on Jax’s part, because the first thing Wendy said was, “It’s great to see you and Jax together. I was just with Jax last night at the house and was telling him that Abel is getting so big.”
She gave Tara a knowing smile as she thickly layered on her signature raccoon eyeliner and mascara look. “It’s wonderful to see him thriving with us together as a family. You know, we almost got back together when he spent the night with me after Donna was almost killed.”
Tara had to laugh, which was the last thing Wendy expected. “That’s wonderful! I’m glad to see you’re doing so well after rehab. Jax just invited me to the restaurant opening earlier today. It’s great to be able to spend time together now because it’s going to get so hectic once the baby comes.”
Wendy glared at her, but Tara continued as she reapplied her Dior lip balm. “You know how hard pregnancy is. I’m too worn out to think about anything more physically or emotionally demanding than getting dressed most days. It’s great working from home doing my neonatal consults via Skype.”
The look of shock on Wendy’s face in reaction to how utterly unbothered Tara was to anything she was saying was priceless. The old, insecure Tara that was worried about soon-to-be ex-wive’s, deal breakers, and porn stars was completely replaced by a poised, refined, elegant, and composed woman. Wendy had no idea how to even respond, so Tara did.
“I am so happy for you, Jax, and Abel. Do you think you’ll get remarried? Family is so important for children. It’s going to be wonderful seeing our boys growing up together.” That one sentence completely shut Wendy down. Tara could see Gemma’s last season stilettos reflected in the mirror in one of the stalls and had to stop herself from hysterically laughing out loud.
These two white trash fabulous bitches thought they were going to get one over on her. The new Tara had to seriously try not to fall out laughing right then and there. As she closed her YSL clutch, she looked at Wendy through the mirror and said sweetly, “Make sure to get in touch with me so we can set up play dates!”
As she left the bathroom with Wendy hot on her heels, she caught Jax’s eye. The look of love he had for her went south real quick when he saw Wendy right behind her. That’s when Tara knew that Wendy wasn’t supposed to be there and this was a total setup by Gemma.
Completely unbothered, Tara made her way over to Jax and for shits and grins, she repeated the exact kiss that she gave him at Abel’s homecoming, except with quite a different outcome this time.
Donna had just arrived with Opie and gave her that you go girl look. It may have been petty on Tara’s part, but she gave zero fucks because damn, it felt good to be a bitch in that moment. Then Jax leaned into the kiss Tara thought “Oh shit, I just opened Pandora’s Box.”