Page 41 of Flake It Til You Make It

“She’s really trying to get you this job,” Rocco said.

“Yeah,” Taylor said.

Rocco could see the emotion flash across Taylor’s face, and he glanced away, like he was afraid he’d be overcome by it.

“You’ve worked for her long?”

“Four years,” Taylor said. “One as her assistant, three as deputy mayor. I almost . . .I almost missed out on the opportunity, to begin with, even though I’d really, really, wanted to move here, and work here. But I almost screwed it up, and shestillmoved heaven and earth to get me here.”

“She’s a good mayor. And you’re a great deputy,” Mason said, sounding like he meant every word. Maybe neither of them hadbeen here long, but Rocco had seen the same thing, the first time he’d come here, to take a look at the coffee shop and sign the papers.

He’d known the moment he’d met Mona Grayson that she was the kind of mayor he wanted in the town where he built his new business.

Of course, then he’d met Taylor, and he’d felt the effects ofthatmeeting long after Taylor had walked back out of his life.

“Thanks,” Taylor said, shooting Rocco a grateful smile.

“Sounds like she’s a great mentor, too,” Mason said.

“The best,” Taylor agreed.

As they finished up, grabbing a few slices of pie to go, Rocco realized that was another mystery to add to the ones he already knew existed in Taylor. What he’d done to potentially fuck up his position here, the first time around.

Rocco wanted to ask, andalmostdid, as Taylor walked him back to the coffee shop, but it was beautiful in downtown, the last leaves falling, mixing with the snowflakes dancing on the wind, the two of them walking in a silence that he’d never assumed would be so reassuring, butwas, so he didn’t.

Of course the moment after Taylor helped him get the food in his fridge and then said goodbye, gaze lingering on Rocco right before he turned to go, Rocco wished he’d done it.

As he walked up to his upstairs apartment, he pulled out his phone.

Thanks again for inviting me,he texted to Taylor.I had such a great time.

You’re welcome. It was the best one yet.

Rocco wondered if it was becausehe’dbeen there, with Taylor, but he didn’t ask that because how was Taylor supposed to answer? There wasnoright answer there.

But he hoped, anyway. Then a second text from Taylor came in.You going to the parade on Friday?

I wasn’t planning on it,Rocco texted back,but I have a feeling I’ll be going now.

I have great seats, and a plus one. Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather invite than my fake boyfriend.

Rocco stared at his phone before tossing it onto his bed.

He wished Taylor hadn’t added thatfaketo the boyfriend and wished that he hadn’t wished that at all.

Because this was already complicated enough.

Chapter 7

“When you said youhad great seats, you weren’t kidding.”

Taylor glanced up and Rocco was standing there, a big grin on his face.

He was wearing that gorgeous peacoat again, with another luxurious-looking scarf—this time in green.

A knit cap of the same color was pulled down low over his head and his nose was already red from the cold.

Taylor felt his heart squeeze and then told himself to forget that feeling.

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