Page 14 of Swept Up In You

Jess poked her tongue out.

“I could always invite Liz,” Jess said sweetly.

Taylor shot her daggers and pulled her phone back out of her pocket.

“I can’t believe you.”

“What?”

“You’re so annoying.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Yeah, yeah, you just bug me until I do the thing you want me to do.”

“I’m just sittin’ here drinking my tea.” She slurped loudly.

“Sure, you’re just sitting there giving me shit.”

Jess rolled her eyes. “Can you just text her already and save us both the time?”

Taylor frowned and opened up her messages.

Chapter Six

Sam sat at the end of the storage yard, legs dangling over the edge, looking out over the marina. Like Taylor stopping and taking in the view on their walk earlier today, this washerfavourite spot to sit and appreciate the outlook. The sun had set hours ago, the moon now glinting off the water, the stars clear and bright overhead. Halyards quietlytink tink tinkedamongst themselves in the light breeze, a soft song they all seemed to be in tune with. Her mind was the opposite of the calmness before her, still churning the possible conversations with her dad, mixed with the excitement of making progress with her boat. This was her place to take the time to think, to process, to plan.

She’d looked up the second arrow analogy, and Taylor was right. Not talking really was just hurting herself more. She’d now come up with a plan, and she hoped everything would turn out the way she wanted.

After what felt like hours, Sam made her way back inside and got ready for bed. She flicked off the lights downstairs, grabbing her phone and bag before heading up the stairs. She threw the bag on the chair in the corner and spied the neatly folded T-shirt poking out of the top. She picked it up and inhaled—the woody, musky scent of sandalwood hit her nose as she closed her eyes.

She thought of Taylor’s surprising hug earlier that evening.

Wait. What was she doing?

She laughed at herself and threw the shirt back on the chair.

Quickly getting into her pyjamas, she slipped into bed and set her phone on charge. It lit up with a new message from Taylor. Her cheeks flushed pink as she eyed the now-crumpled shirt. It was just a text Sam. She couldn’t see you being a total weirdo!

Taylor 9:58pm:

Hey sorry to msg again. Random question, would you be interested in coming to a friend’s board game night?

No stress if it’s not your thing.

Cute. She could imagine Taylor asking the question similar to how she’d asked if she needed that hug earlier, always so considerate. She couldn’t remember the last time someone hugged her likethat.Making new friends definitely had its perks. If that’s what she could call Taylor yet? It sure felt like the start of a friendship…

Now, board games. She hadn’t played them in… probably years. DidMouse Trapcount?

Sam 10:18pm:

Sure, depending on when. Can’t guarantee I’ll be any good though, it’s been a while.

Taylor 10:19pm:

Sweet! You free next Friday? Also, no experience necessary.

Sam 10:20pm:

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