Page 78 of Taylor

“Tattoo and colorful hair... My beautiful rainbow girl is just full of surprises,” he said, lifting her hair and inspecting the new colors for himself.

“I went to the doctor on Friday.”

He pulled back and looked at her with careful eyes. “Why?”

“I started birth control,” she said, grinning.

He hummed, holding her close. “Hmmmm.”

“I also have something else I want to show you, too,” she said, pulling him through the living room.

“What?” he asked as they rounded the stairs. He bent to grab his bag.

Once they were in her room, she put him on the bed and then climbed in next to him getting her tablet from the nightstand.

“I’ve been working. I finished the team pictures,” she said, handing him the pad.

He scrolled through incredible images she’d created of his teammates and their mascot. Then she got to ones he hadn’t seen before, like pictures with more scenes from his video game and of a popular romance period show he recognized.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I was thinking I might start posting and making a social media account for my art.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” he said, still scrolling.

“I actually emailed your mom,” she said. “I hope you don’t think that’s too weird. She’s helped me learn about what authors are generally looking for.”

“Really?” asked Taylor. “It’s not weird at all. That’s why I told her about you. I think it could be good... for both of you really.”

“I’m really happy you did that . . .”

“If you’re happy I did that, why do you look like you’re about to cry?” he asked, putting the iPad down and cupping her face.

“I am happy. I don’t know why I’m so emotional. You just seem to... I don’t know... believe in me or something?”

“Alice, baby,” he said, waiting for her to meet his eyes. “I do believe in you.”

At those words, a lone tear tracked down her cheek. He wiped it away and pressed a kiss to that same place he had just wiped it from. “Why does that upset you?” He seemed as if he was trying to figure her out.

“I guess I’m just not used to it. I feel like I let everyone down.” She broke his gaze and chewed on her lip.

Tipping her chin back to him he said, “Alice, I think it would be impossible for you to let me down.”

She shook her head. “Don’t say that. I know I will. I’ll forget important dates. I’ll plan something but then cancel when the time comes. I’ll get distracted and be late for everything. Sometimes, I just can’t get my act together... I don’t know. Just don’t expect too much from me. I’ll always disappoint you.”

“Baby, that’s not true,” he said, running a hand through her hair. “I can help you remember important dates, but everything else you’re describing is fine. You don’t have to be perfect all the time. Your brain is so creative and amazing, and maybe you’re a bit more sensitive to other things than most people, but that’s okay.”

She nodded and lay in bed, mulling over the words that he said. No one had ever made her feel like her shortcomings were something that didn’t need to be changed by just trying harder.

“Thank you. I try so hard to be good at life, but I can never seem to get it together. If it weren’t for my family, I’m not sure what would have happened to me.”

A comfortable silence fell between them. But even in comfort, her brain was still whirring. How did he seem to understand her better than anyone had before?

He took a breath and shifted beneath her head. She turned her head and propped her chin on her hand resting on his chest. A single crease formed between his brows. It would appear his mind was just as busy as hers was.

“Do you think maybe you’re like me?” he asked quietly. “Maybe not autistic but maybe some neurodivergence?”

His eyes held no judgment, just curiosity.

“What do you mean?”

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