Page 74 of Swept Up In You

Her feelings for Sam had grown to a point she wasn’t sure was possible in such a small amount of time. How long had she known her? A month? She wasn’t the girl who fell head over heels for women. Sure, after two years with Liz, she had pretty big feelings, enough to get them stomped on and strangled to the point she’d literally felt like she couldn’t breathe sometimes. But it had taken her six months in that relationship to even say I love you.

Maybe this said more about Liz? Or maybe she’d never loved her as much as she thought she had?

Here she was, sitting at a café withstrongfeelings. Sure, it wasn’t love yet, but far out, things were feeling serious, and with her heart still mending, the fragility of that combination had her worried.

She spotted Sam walking across the grass, breaking her out of her thoughts. They were in marina territory now, so she had to be on her best behaviour and keep thingsfriendly. She stood up as Sam got to the table, wrapping Taylor in a hug like they hadn’t seen each other in months instead of days.

“Missed you, Tay,” Sam whispered in her ear, the lightest of kisses brushing her jaw in a move most onlookers would miss. Taylor squeezed her sides. “Me too, Ham,” she replied, earning her daggers from Sam, her mouth pulled to the side, trying not to smile.

Sam dropped her phone and keys down on the table. “Coffees are on me today. I don’t really know the protocol with this… with us… but I’d love to treat you.”

Taylor shrugged. “There are no rules. That’s the best part. So, whatever you feel like, I won’t say no.”

Sam turned to go into the café, bumping straight into a tall, fit young guy making his way out.

“Oof!” she said, her face colliding directly with his chest, his arm flying out to stop his tray of coffees from spilling, his free hand catching her arm as he checked if she was okay. Taylor sure didn’t need Sam having some sort of meet-cute right in front of her. She couldn’t help but watch.

“Sam?” the guy asked, once he’d seen who it was.

“Jase!” she replied, flinging her arms around him in a hug.

Ah. The infamous Jase.Great…

Sam pulled him over to the table. Ugh, did she have to?

“Jase, I want you to meet my…” she hesitated, “friend… Taylor. Taylor, this is my friend Jase who I was telling you about.” She rounded her eyes at Taylor as if to reiterate,just friends. She eyed him—all lean legs, square jaw and brilliant smile.Ugh. But she needed to be on her best behaviour as Sam continued to plead with her eyes.

Taylor smacked on a smile. “Hey, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” She could play nice. “Between Sam and Larry, I feel like we’ve already met.”

“Right! Taylor,” Jase said, snapping his fingers. “You’ve been helping out on Pops’ boat. I wouldn’t have the guts to get up those masts like you do. I’m glad he got you to help though; otherwise I’d be worried if he was still trying to do it all at his age.”

Taylor shrugged it off but appreciated the compliment on her work. “I don’t mind heights, and it’s always a great view.”

“Good point. If only I could stand heights. I’m too much of a wuss,” he winced. “I better get this coffee down to Pops before he turns from Gramps intoGrumps.”

“Wouldn’t want that.” Sam chuckled, as they both waved him off.

She looked back at Taylor. “Okay,nowI’m gonna go order for us and hopefully not collide with anyone else.”

“Please don’t,” Taylor agreed.

She watched Jase walk off towards the marina gates. Now that she’d met him, putting her jealousy aside, he did seem like a nice guy. And if Sam was telling the truth, she could understand why she’d want to be friends with him. Despite his very good looks—she wasn’t blind—he seemed really down-to-earth and easy to talk to. Maybe she could let that all go.

A couple of minutes later, Sam slid into the seat across from Taylor, drinks ordered. Her hair was up in her usual ponytail, sunglasses on, looking effortlessly cool as she lounged back in the chair, a relaxed smile on her face. Taylor could stare at her all day. Her eyes crinkling as Sam’s smile grew wider.

“What?” she asked, coy.

“Just appreciating the view.” Taylor swept her arm out over the green vista before them.

“Right.” Sam looked over her sunglasses at Taylor. “The view.”

“It’s a very sexy view,” she replied, head tilted as she flashed a grin. Sam blushed and looked out at the grass before looking back. “I’m glad you got to meet Jase. I didn’t expect to see him today.”

“I could see that when you ran smack bang into him.”

“Thank god itwashim. I would’ve been mortified if it was a stranger. He really is a nice guy though. I think you’d like him once you get to know him. And I swear?—”

“Just friends.” Taylor finished for her, brushing their legs under the table. “I know.” She gave her a smile and saw the moment Sam relaxed.

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