Page 74 of Worth the Risk

A weight rolls off my shoulders, as much as I didn’t want to admit that thought was lingering in the back of my mind. And I wouldn’t have judged or faulted either of them had they acted on any attraction in the past.

“I appreciate that, like really appreciate you telling me that.” I finally laugh. “I know that what happened between you two was before he and I ever—anything but, I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t be something that would make me uncomfortable to think about.”

“Okay, phew.” She shakes her head. “I’ve been wanting to say that to you, but I also wasn’t sure what was happening betweenyou two, so I didn’t want to volunteer that information and then you freak out because you guys weren’t together or something. I don’t know; this is all a little less than typical.”

We laugh and agree.

“Would you want to grab lunch?” Becca was right, Mia is sweet, and the more I get to know her, the more I realize that she might end up part of our little group after all.

“I would love to sometime but I kind of have plans this afternoon.”

“Oh, no worries.”

Just then Miguel pops his head around the corner of my office. “Oh, hey. I thought I heard your voice in here.” He glances up at me with an awkward smile, then back to Mia.

“Ohhh.” A knowing smile spreads across my face. “You two?”

“Ummm, maybe?” Mia shrugs, looking back at Miguel who’s blushing. “I asked Austin for his number.”

The way they look at each other, the red flush on her cheeks and the grin on his face, tells me everything I need to know.

“Well then.” I smile. “I hope you two have a great lunch… date.”

“Thanks.” She giggles, standing and walking toward the door. “Oh, and when we hang out, I’ll be sure to tell you how on our first date I ended up crying in the bathroom over my ex that I couldn’t stop talking about.” My mouth falls open; that is not how I expected or thought that date was going the night I saw them. “Even better, though, was after I told him I wasn’t over my ex yet and shouldn’t have agreed to the date, he told me not to worry because he was in love with his business partner.”

She offers me a little wave, then walks out of my office, hand in hand with Miguel.

I pull out my phone, watching the video of us kissing over and over again, reading the comments that continue to pour in.

“Oh my God, I hope they get married!”

“If this isn’t real, I’m quitting the internet.”

“Damn, anyone else watch this video for an hour straight?”

The comments only fuel my excitement. Reading them only solidifies my feelings for Austin, further pushing aside the doubt. I grab my purse, deciding to duck out of work early and gather some supplies to surprise Austin with a romantic dinner at home tonight.

Home?

Even that thought, which previously would have scared me, has me questioning if and when we’ll move in together. I’m still finishing out the lease on my two-bedroom apartment that I shared with Noah. The second bedroom that I once thought might end up a nursery, still sits mostly empty with only the few unclaimed boxes of Noah’s things that I have yet to donate.

I make a mental note to drop the items at a homeless shelter this weekend. Then I send a text to Austin as I head out.

Taylor

Had to leave work early. See you at your place for dinner. xoxo

I take my time at the first stop, smelling a dozen artisanal cheeses to find the perfect one to pair with the Syrah I picked out. I settle on a dessert Brie and an aged Manchego that will pair well with the stuffed mushrooms I plan to make.

When I finally make it to the butcher, my hands are so full I’m struggling to carry all of the bags.

“Yes, two, please.” I nod toward the filets behind the counter and wait for the man to wrap them up in parchment paper.

I’m so close to my apartment, I decide it’s easier to stop by so I can change and compile all of my items into one cart so I can head over to Austin’s to start prepping our dinner. I smile, thinking about him coming home to the smell of a home-cookedmeal, me in nothing but the sexy apron I found at a boutique today and the new pair of Louboutins I picked up on impulse. They’re going to be the star of the show and I know when I tell him why I bought them, what milestone in my life they represent, they’re going to become his favorites too.

“Whoa, allow me.” Hank swings the door open to my building as I hoist my items in both of my arms.

“Thank you.” I smile, attempting to rush to the elevator before I drop anything, but it’s no use. One of my bags breaks, and cheese, crackers, and olives tumble to the floor, still in their containers thankfully.

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