Page 107 of Anyone But Her

"How? My dad and Cal aren't the only problem. There's also the problem of us living in different states when I go back to college, and you being so busy with golf that we won't even have time to talk."

"I'll always make time for you. And as for living apart, a lot of couples do that and make it work. I won't be golfing all the time. I can come see you at school. Maybe I could even stay with you if they allow it."

"It won't be enough. We'll want to see each other all the time and we can't."

"If we want it to work we'll make it happen. It's like with golf. When I was a kid, I never in a million years thought I'd end up on the path to being a professional golfer. But I knew it's what I wanted so I found a way to make it happen. We can do this, Taylor. We can make this work."

She doesn't respond but I know her head is full of doubts, thinking this won't work. I'll just have to keep convincing her it will.

"I have to go," she says in a sad voice.

"A few more minutes?" I rub my hand up and down her back and kiss her head.

"If I stay I might fall asleep."

"Okay, but will you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Don't go back to your room and think about all the ways this will never work. It'll work, Taylor, if this is what we both want."

She gives me a kiss. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I watch as she gets dressed, then as she's leaving I say, "I love you."

She pauses at the door. "I love you too."

***

The next morning I go to the main house for breakfast. Usually everyone eats at different times but today Lou and Barb are at the kitchen table and Cal is sitting at the island.

"Good morning, Luke," Barb says, smiling at me. "I made eggs and French toast. Help yourself."

"Thanks." I take a plate from the cupboard and serve myself.

"Hey, man," Cal says as I take the stool beside him.

"Hey. Heading to the course after this?"

"No. I have a doctor's appointment. My shoulder's been bothering me."

Taylor walks in and I do everything possible to act normal, but inside my heart is racing just seeing her, knowing what we did last night, knowing we shouldn't have and yet wanting to do it again. I crave being with her, even just being around her. When she left last night, the bed felt cold and empty.

"I'm surprised you're up," Cal says to Taylor.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You had a late night last night. I wasn't even sure you liked him. So when did you guys finally get home?"

She glances at her parents then says to Cal. "I don't know what you mean."

"Last night. I got home around one and knocked on your door and you weren't there."

"Why were you knocking on my door at one in the morning?"

"You left your phone charger in my car. I was just giving it back."

Lou sets his coffee down. "Why were you out so late with that boy? I thought it was only a first date."

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