Page 32 of Oz Wisdom

“We need to celebrate. Now go get ready. I want to hear all the details over dinner."

“It's not that big of a job."

"Did you need a job?" Oz asked.

She nodded.

"And you got a job."

She nodded again.

"Did you get hired on your own?"

Her smile was uncontrollable. "I did."

"Then we celebrate. Go get dressed. I'm taking you out."

The moment Oz pushed open the door, Taylor darted inside, and his amusement faded behind her as she closed the door to her room. She dropped her purse onto the floor and spun, falling onto the bed. She was amazed at how happy she felt. It was just a job. Nothing life altering, but a place to go to every day so she could pay bills. Okay, so maybe it was life altering. She hadn't had a job in a couple of years. And the one she had lost at that time had not been her first choice, but it had been handed to her by a friend of her parents. Pride. Accomplishment. That's what this was. A low laugh escaped her. This felt great.

A rumble from beyond her door broke into her thoughts. Her eyelids drifted closed. Although her achievement felt good, something else in her felt better. The fact that Oz truly appeared to be happy for her. In the weeks she had been here, he had not once asked her for anything. Well, nothing but more of the lemon bars she had made once. He did love those. And he was supportive of anything she did, no matter how small. No one had ever done that before.

She rolled to her side and stood, walking to the closet. Since having to leave everything behind when she was left on the side of the road, thrift store finds and hand me downs from Angel Haven had clothed her. At one time this fact would have bothered her. She would have refused used clothing. And anytime she was able, she preferred to design and sew her own wearables. Now, she was thankful for each piece she had. She thumbed through her options before deciding on a bright yellow dress adorned with delicate flowers embroidered across the square neckline. The shoes offered fewer options. She scanned the footwear lined up below her clothes. Athletic shoes. Sandals. Flat slip-ons. The pair of well-worn flip flops she had kept in her backpack.

She chose the flats and spread the outfit across the bed. She cocked her head toward the wall adjoining the restroom. Oz was in the shower. She had a few minutes to paint her toes. Sandals it is. She exchanged the slip-ons for the sandals and grabbed the only bottle of nail polish she had. A quick coat of color to match her nails and she would dress.

Forty minutes later, they sat in a quiet booth of a favorite steak house that she had missed. She took a sip of tea as the waitress walked away.

“So, tell me what we’re celebrating.”

Taylor straightened in her seat. “I never imagined landing a job could be so tough. But do you have any idea how many judgmental reactions a thirty-one-year-old with no references to offer can get? I looked like a leach with no job or schooling to verify the past eleven years of my life.”

“But you kept pushing forward.”

Taylor smiled. “Yes, I did. And now I’m the new employee at Dison’s Deli.”

Congratulations.” Oz grinned. “You’re not cooking anything, right?”

Taylor laughed. “No, but I can make a mean sandwich.”

“That you can.” Oz’s hand was warm as his fingers circled hers. “Proud of you.”

Chapter 15

Oz pulled his phone from his pocket, checking the screen. An uncontrollable smile lifted his lips. "Hey Taylor."

"I found my car."

He chuckled at the excitement in her voice. "I don't know you had lost it," he teased.

Her laughter was music to his ears. Nonexistent at first, but now it was coming more often.

"I found a car I like, and I think I can afford it.”

"And what do you want from me?"

"You had offered to check it out and make sure it was worth the money. Could you go with me and look at it?”

"Tell me where and I'll meet you there."

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