Page 66 of Taylor

The corner of a green daisy cardigan was sticking out of the mound of clothes on her chair. She unearthed it, put it on, pulled the purple-and-green silk scarf from around the post by her mirror, and tied it in her hair like a headband.

That made her feel more like herself. With one more final touch, she walked over to her closet and pulled out her daisy Dr. Martens. Her mother would kill her for wearing these to a job, but they would be so cute with this.

Before she knew what she was doing, she was lacing up her Docs and standing to look at herself in the mirror with a triumphant smile.

“Mmmmm, that looks more like my rainbow girl from the cabin,” Taylor said as he leaned up against the doorframe.

“You like it?” she asked as she went over to her dresser to pull out a pair of dangly daisy earrings from her jewelry box.

“I love it.” He walked over to her. When he slipped his arms around her waist, she melted into him. “Although I would like it even more if you didn’t have to put on anything,” he said, kissing her neck.

“What are your plans for the day?”

“We have a rest day before we head out for a road trip after tomorrow’s game. So, I’m just going to be relaxing at home and doing some meal prep.”

“Oh... Did you maybe want to hang out later?” she asked as she was busy getting her work bag together.

She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. A big part of her was still scared he would disappear again.

Seemingly able to sense that in her, he walked over and cupped her face, pulling her gaze to meet his. “Alice, I want to see you every day.”

“You do?” she asked embarrassed by how desperate and needy she sounded.

But the slow, confident smile that stretched across his face did settle those feelings. “Yes, I do. I know I fucked this up, but I’m ready to do the work to show you how much I do want to be with you.”

Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him.

“When you finish up at the center, why don’t you come over to my place? I’ll make some dinner, and you can stay there tonight?”

“Really? Are you sure?”

His arms slid around her waist, holding her close. “Of course I’m sure.”

“Okay, I’ll text you when I’m done.”

“Good,” he said. Then he dropped a kiss on her forehead.

Later, they headed out of her town house and got in their cars. Evie waved as her car pulled up the drive across the way, and she smiled and waved back.

“Call me when you’re ready to come over,” Taylor said.

“Okay, I’ll see you then.”

Alice walked into the center. It was quieter today because the players and coaches weren’t in, since they would all be headed out on a road trip after tomorrow’s game. Alice didn’t like to think about Taylor leaving after the night they had.

“Alice, hi. We are in meeting room D. I’ll be right there,” said Sasha from her desk.

“Okay,” Alice said as she turned to make her way to the meeting room.

“Wait, I’ll walk with you,” she said. “How did last night go?”

“Good,” said Alice. “Did everything look good to you?”

“Yep, and engagement is good,” Sasha said, looking over her laptop before shutting it and standing. “You look really cute. I love your boots.”

“Oh, thank you,” Alice said, warming at the compliment.

Sasha stood from her desk, revealing her fabulous outfit. For once, Alice didn’t feel like she needed to present herself more like Sasha in the put-together way society values more than her rainbows and sunshine. It was a new feeling but one she hoped would stay.

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