Page 77 of Swept Up In You

“Well, it kind of hit me out of nowhere. One minute I’m making a new friend, then I’m thinking about her—way too much—and then I’m kissing her, and yeah. It’s all still very new, and it might already be over, so whatever.” She let her shoulders drop, still staring out at the marina. In this moment, she was just thankful Jase was someone she felt she could talk to about this, as hard as it was.

“Wait, is this about Taylor? The one I met yesterday? So you’re not seeing her anymore? I’m so confused.” He scrunched up his face, trying to work it all out.

“I don’t know?” She phrased it as a question, which only made Jase raise his eyebrows. She huffed, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. “We got into a fight—well not a fight—but essentially after you left, I told her how I’m leaving to go on my big trip sooner than planned, and she just… fled.”

Jase frowned. “So she’s scared.”

Sam’s eyebrows flew up. “Maybe? I guess I didn’t get a chance to ask her or even see how she felt about it all. I wasn’t anticipating meeting a girl OR leaving as soon as I am.”

“So how long’s the trip? Can’t you just pick things up when you get back?”

“Yeah, no. It’s more of a one-way trip sorta deal at this stage, I don’t know when I’m coming back.”

“Right. That’s complicated.” He picked up a small rock, throwing it into the water below.

Sam groaned. “Tell me about it. Maybe she’s right to run for the hills. It’s so early, and I really don’t know how I’d make long distance work from a boat.” She watched the ripples growing bigger and bigger.

“How much do you like her?” he asked. She tore her eyes away from the water.

“A lot. Like nothing I’ve felt before. The best way I’d explain it is this pull. I just want to be around her, in her orbit, all the time. She just makes sense.”

Sam shrugged.

“So ask her to go with you.”

A laugh flew out her mouth before she could stop it.

“Yeah, right.” But even as she said the words, she knew she’d already pictured it. She could see them on Manny together, sailing off along the coast, waking up together in the cabin. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. But asking someone this new into a relationship? It was crazy.Effing ludicrous. The kind of thought that never came to light.

“I’m serious,” he said, looking intently at her. “If it’s what you want, and you feel that way about her, why not take the chance? Or at least have the conversation about it.”

She nibbled on her lip. “If she’ll even talk to me,” she mumbled.

“You can only try.” He squeezed her knee.

“I’ll think on it.” She side-eyed him. “Also, can you keep this whole thing about me between us?”

“You know what I’m going to say, don’t you?” Jase replied, standing, offering her a hand up at the same time. She grabbed it, rolling her eyes as he pulled her up.

“Oh yes. I’m well aware of what a hypocrite I’m being right now. I’m sorting out some other things with my dad at the moment, and that’s not an excuse I swear, but I am planning to come out to him soon. And I guess I better keep Larry in the loop too,” she winked.

Sam spent the next two nights planning how to talk to Taylor. She’d had the meeting with the new owners this afternoon, which went well, but it had meant no time during the day to even think about her and Taylor. She’d spent the whole time cleaning up the shop and her place first, then the rest of the time showing them around in detail as they laid out their plans. Her dad was going to stay on for a few months as an employee for a smooth handover, but there wasn’t much else for Sam to do aside from clearing out the space for them.

She hadn’t heard from Taylor since their fail of a coffee date on Sunday, and with the clock ticking, she didn’t want to waste any more time contemplating whatmightbe. She needed to know if she was finalising her plans for a solo trip around Australia or if it might indeed become a crew of two and a half—because, of course, Belle would have to come. There’d be no way Taylor would leave her behind. That’s even if this stupid, crazy idea was going to work.

She huffed. She felt like the Big Bad Wolf with all the huffing and puffing she’d been doing around the place the last couple of days and not like the girl who wanted to win back the other girl and set sail into the sunset happily ever after.She was such a sap.

Tonight was the night. Sam’s heart was beating way too fast as she pressed the doorbell at Jess and Taylor’s house. The usual barking sounded from inside, softer than usual.

Jess opened the door.

Damn.

She put on her best smile. Time to win over the best friend. Why was this so damn scary? Jess’ eyebrows raised as she saw her.

“Sam. Hi.” She looked wary.

“Hey, is uh, Taylor home?”

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