Page 108 of Call Me Mrs. Taylor

That’s the story, anyway. I wore my black v-neck maxi dress today, the one that shows just enough cleavage to still be respectable. It fits my curves just right, but only if you’re looking.

When I walk into Taylor Lexus, people are looking.

My makeup is perfect, hair down around my shoulders. My head is high, shoulders back, and I put a slight sway in my hips, walking in like I own the place.

Maybe one day, I will.

It’s a beautiful showroom, all polished glass and chrome. It smells like fresh leather, coffee, and money. Salesmen are perched at their desks like vultures, waiting for something weak and defenseless to walk in so they can sink their teeth in.

They’ll think that’s me. Bless their hearts.

A bald, eager-looking white guy clocks me the second I walk past his office. He adjusts his tie and walks toward me, but I barely glance his way. He’s not the one I’m after.

“Welcome to Taylor Lexus,” he starts, full of fake energy and reeking of cheap cologne. “I’m Jake. Are you looking for anything in particular today?”

“Yeah,” I say, scanning the showroom like I’m considering my options. “Something reliable. Maybe an SUV.”

He smiles. “We’ve got plenty of those! Do you have an appointment?”

I don’t. I could have made one, but I like the element of surprise. I wanna see the flicker of recognition on his face when he realizes I’m here.

I tilt my head. “Oh, no, should I have made one? I didn’t realize—“

“No, no, no. It’s quite alright,” he says quickly. “Just a question, no worries. I’d love to show you around. We have some wonderful choices, and great financing options—“

“Ooh! What about that one?”

I point to the black SUV closest to Jackson Taylor’s office—a corner suite, of course, with glass walls overlooking the back half of the show room. The closer I get, the better my chances.

Jake’s eyes go wide, and I can practically see the dollar signs dancing around in them. “Let’s take a look, shall we?”

He leads me over to what turns out to be an LX 600. It’s sleek, black, and hella expensive. I let my fingers trail over the hood, staring inside like I’m already imagining myself behind the wheel.

“She’s a beauty, right?”

I bring my eyes back to Jake’s. “She is.”

Then I hear it.

“Don’t I know you?”

A deep, sultry voice behind me.

It’s him.

I turn, coming face to face with Ace twenty-five years in the future. I’m momentarily breathless. Daddy didn’t look like this at the cookout.

Then, he wore a t-shirt and basketball shorts. Now, his broad shoulders hold up a perfectly-tailored midnight blue suit with a crisp white dress shirt underneath. A small diamond stud glitters in his left ear, matched by the iced out cufflinks and platinum watch on his wrist.

Even his cologne smells expensive.

“Oh my goodness, Mr. Taylor?”

That sharp jawline, piercing brown eyes, the perfect goatee…it’s uncanny.

But I have to focus.

His full lips lift into a tight smile, the kind that indicates a control Ace hasn’t mastered yet.

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