Page 11 of Taylor

He couldn’t decide if he was humiliated or if he was happy because this rainbow of a woman next to him finally lit up like she always should be. It was probably both.

“No, I’m not sure if you know, but I’m autistic, and I guard my downtime. The season can be a balancing act, trying to play and stay out of sensory overwhelm. So, while there is nothing wrong with Disney, it isn’t something I can do right now. Part of why the cabin sounded so appealing.”

“That makes sense,” she said, regaining composure. “You came here for some solo fun time,” she said, laughing again.

“Or some one-on-one fun time.”

Her mouth snapped shut, and she turned back to the movie.

Fuck. He took it too far when he thought they were flirting. He was so bad at this stuff.

“Fuck, Alice. That was inappropriate. I’m sorry. I was just kidding.”

“I know you were kidding.”

Her eyes focused on the movie.

She sat there, straight as a board, and tension emanated from her. Fuck. He’d messed this up.

“I think I’m going to go to bed,” he said before standing.

“Wait,” Alice said, reaching for him. Her hand wrapped around his wrist, pulling him back down onto the couch. “Don’t go. It’s fine.”

He turned to her and her upturned eyes and soft smile, and they fact that she was still holding his wrist lit him up like the fucking Christmas tree next to them. Slowly, he sat back down.

“Okay, sorry for making it weird,” he said.

“No, it’s fine. I know you have no interest in a girl like me.”

He eyed her. He didn’t think he liked that. “Because your dad is my coach?”

“I guess, but I know I’m not your type.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” he said, flabbergasted.

“I’m well aware you’re out of my league. You don’t have to worry about me catching feelings. I know I’m a hot mess.”

“Are you serious?” he asked, gaping at her.

Her brow crinkled as she looked at him like he was from the moon. It was starting to make him angry.

“What are you talking about, out of my league? The only thing keeping me from not hitting on you right now is the fact that you’re Coach’s beautiful daughter... Well, that, and we’re trapped here together, and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

Her mouth, once again, fell open, but she didn’t lose that look of bewilderment. She just sat there, gaping at him, and that was doing nothing to stop the physical need he had for her.

She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and caught it between her teeth. His hand slid up and tucked a colorful lock of hair behind her ear. He was going to kiss her. He was going to kiss his coach’s daughter. What the fuck was he doing?

But before he could kiss her, a tear streamed down her face. Panic hit him. He’d made her cry. How the fuck did he make her cry?

“Hey,” he said, wiping the lone tear away. “What’s wrong? I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I don’t think anyone has ever called me beautiful before,” she said softly.

“That can’t be true.”

She gave a rough chuckle and shook her head. “It can be. Thank you for your kind words. Let’s just watch the movie,” she said, turning back to the TV.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” He continued to look at her until she finally turned to him again.

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