Page 104 of Come Fly with Me

All of these things push me away, take me out of my comfort zone, and are a reminder of why I was done with men. But what I’m also reminded of is that I will never be comfortable with being cheated on. No one would be. But somehow, Jake broke through my emotionally unavailable ass, and I found myself again.

I raise my hand to knock on his door when it suddenly swings open, Jake and I standing face to face, stunned into silence for a good solid minute.

“Taylor!” he exclaims, far more excited to see me than I would’ve thought. Obviously, I’m not the only one who missed someone.

“Hi, Jake.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Can I come in?” I ask, shifting on my heels and giving him a small smile.

“Of course,” he replies, stepping aside, but as soon as the door closes, he can’t stay quiet. “I’m so sorry, Taylor. I know you talked to Maggie and hopefully she was able to convince you that I definitely did not cheat on you or her for that matter. And I know I lied to you…”

I cut him short, still smiling at his need to explain himself.

“I understand why you did it. I wouldn’t have given you a chance if I knew you had your own baggage.” Jake nods, his eyes watching me intently. “But that doesn’t excuse it, so don’t ever let it happen again.”

I step toward him, my fingers brushing along his chest.

“Don’t ever let it happen again? Does that mean…”

And this time it’s me nodding my head.

Thirty-Six

Jake

I’m stunned into silence, unsure what to say as I stand here, staring at Taylor who is smiling up at me, her hand resting on my chest.

“I…I’m…fuck, what are you…are you?”

Taylor laughs, stepping closer as she slips her arms around my waist, pulling me closer to her. “Oh my god, Jake Campbell, are you actually lost for words?”

I kind of am, but that doesn’t stop me from finally realizing exactly what’s going on right now. Exactly what she’s giving me.

“Maybe,” I say, chuckling a little. “But fuck words,” I add as I back her up against the front door and kiss her hard.

I feel her arms tighten around me, her fingers digging into my back, she lets out a soft moan, her lips parting and allowing my tongue to slip into her mouth. I move closer, so my whole body is pressed against hers, my hands cupping her face and tilting it up to give me better access.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers against my mouth, her words barely audible.

“Shhh, later,” I murmur, deepening the kiss.

She smiles, her hands sliding down my back and around to my chest, where she gently eases me back.

“What are you doing?” I ask, my breathing already ragged, my heart pounding in my chest.

Taylor smiles. “I need to say something.”

“Okay, what?” I ask, a little impatiently.

She laughs, pushing me backward again as she says, “Can we sit down?”

I nod, still a little confused, as I take her hand in mine and lead her into the living room. We both sit on the couch as she turns toward me, takes my hand in hers and rests it in her lap.

“Thank you,” she immediately says, her eyes meeting mine.

I stare back at her, unsure as to what she’s thanking me for given I’m the one who fucked up in all of this. “For…?”

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