Chapter Thirty-Three

The last conversation he'd overheard at the factory kept replaying itself in his mind, as he sat on the garden swing under the slowly darkening sky. More and more of his staff seemed to have heard the rumours going around about Tatum's supposed dating habits and, more than once, he'd had to remind them that the workplace was not the place for those kinds of conversations. If he hadn't been a Miller, Sean would've told them to treat her with more respect and threaten to dock their wages or send them home early, but all hell would've broken loose if he'd done that at the factory. He just wished he could've done something more than just stop the conversations from happening on the factory floor; the Tennant family had been through enough over the years at their hands.

It bothered him that people were so willing to believe that Tatum would date and sleep with just about anyone in town when no one had taken the time to get to know her since she'd moved back. Sean also found it hard to believe of her; she didn't seem the type. But then, he had to concede, how well did he really know her? Realistically, they'd only had a couple of proper conversations and they'd never gone beyond superficial topics as they both had to get used to actually 'fraternising' with someone from the opposing family.

If it bothers you that much, do something about it, Sean told himself with an annoyed sigh. His long legs pushed the swing into motion for a couple of times as he thought, before jumping to his feet. Getting to know her better is something you can do. "And there ain't no time like the present," he said out loud, seeing that it was nearing ten o'clock. By the time he'd freshened up and made his way over the bar, hopefully they would be starting to close down, and it would be quiet. He could offer to help her close. He knew for a fact that his brother was out on a date, and there was no way Aaron would take a date to Bellum. He also knew that Austin had already dropped by the bar earlier this evening, because Vivian had come home in the foulest mood he'd seen her in for a long time complaining about it. 

It didn't take him long to spray on some deodorant, check his hair and appearance in the mirror and make sure he had his wallet on him. Sean tried not to be obvious about leaving the house at this time, but everyone had already retreated to their own annex or wing. He made sure not to speed on his way there, not wanting to get caught by his friend, and soon found himself turning into the small carpark in front of the bar. He couldn't believe his luck when he saw that Isabella was just leaving the bar with David. Isabella was driving the Colorado Chevy he knew was her sister's, which meant that Tatum was either planning on walking home or getting a lift with Sue. Maybe he'd offer her a lift as well.

"Sorry, we're not admittin' any new customers," a voice stopped him as soon as he'd stepped in the door. "Oh, eh sorry Mr Miller, but we're closin' up," Sue scrambled to apologise, even if she was confused as to what he was doing here. 

"I know, sorry Sue. Is Tatum still here?" Sean asked innocently.

"She's out the back," the blonde said, pointing towards the open latch in the bar and door towards the office. 

"Would it be okay if I…?" he didn't finish his question, inching his way further into the bar to give her enough time to object, even as he was wishing she wouldn't.

"I guess," the bartender shrugged. Sue knew her boss wouldn't be thrilled to see him, but it also wasn't her place to stand up to a Miller.

"Thanks," he gave her a charmed smile, seeing her blush a little. He quickly made his way behind the bar, before she could change her mind, and carefully made his way towards the office. He saw her red hair first, as she was bent over spreadsheets and counting today's takings. "Tatum?" Sean said carefully, not wanting to make her jump. Instead, she froze momentarily before glancing up slowly, the confusion very apparent on her face.

"Sean, what are you doin' here?" Tatum asked, sounding tired, but whether that was from a long day or the prospect of 'having to deal with him', he couldn't be sure. And, to his surprise, he struggled to come up with a decent excuse.

"I was just thinkin' that it'd be nice to get to know each other better," he ended up saying honestly, as he casually leant against the door frame.

For the longest time she didn't say anything, looking at him in the office doorway. Tatum wanted to ask why he wanted to get to know her better when she knew the feud would stop any possibility of even being friends, let alone more, but she was intrigued by the idea.

"I guess you'd better take a seat then," the redhead finally offered, seeing him smile relieved. "Do you want anything to drink?" she asked, getting up slowly, as he sat down in the spare seat to the side of the desk. She self-consciously straightened her shirt, knowing that it was starting to get caught on her growing bump after she'd been sat down for a while.

"Just a soda would be nice, thanks," Sean took her up on her offer. "Oh, if you wanted, I can drop you off at home later. I saw Isabella take the truck on my way in," he added quickly before she left the office. She smiled as she looked back at him.

"Maybe," she didn't commit just yet and headed to the bar to get him his drink. She poured him a soda and herself a soda water and lime, thinking about whether she wanted to take him up on his offer of a lift home.

"Y'alright?" Sue asked, noticing her boss getting the drinks with a pensive look on her face.

"Uh huh," Tatum nodded quickly. "Listen, if you want you can go once you've done the floor and tables," she offered her employee now. Normally Sue or one of them would clean all the tables, move the chairs up and sweep and mop the floor before cleaning the glasses and behind the bar, while the second person did all the paperwork out back and helped with glasses and the bar if they managed to finish the paperwork quickly.

"And the rest?" the blonde asked surprised.

"I'll take care of it, I've done a lot of sitting and staring at numbers today. It'll be good for me to do the glasses," Tatum fibbed quickly. "And you've been doing a lot of hours, you should get to go home a little earlier every now and again," she added.

"Okay… thanks I guess," Sue nodded gratefully now.

"Just make sure to lock the front door and leave through the back door," the redhead said, more as a formality than anything; her employee probably knew the closing up procedure better than her. The blonde simply gave her a small salute as she continued stacking the chairs. Tatum picked up the two pint glasses and, with a deep breath, headed back to the office. "Here you go," she said with a small smile as she walked in and put one of the glasses in front of him on the desk. She sat back down in her chair and took a sip of her soda and lime, thinking 'now what?' He mimicked her move, thinking of where to start as he took a sip of his cola.

"Do you… have any hobbies?" Sean asked, making both of them chuckle at the awkwardness of the situation.