Page 110 of Call Me Mrs. Taylor

Mr. Taylor nods. “My son’s a good man.”

“I know,” I say, lifting my gaze, letting my eyes shimmer like I’m about to cry. “That’s why I love him.”

His eyes narrow. “Love?”

“Mm hm.” I let my hand drift to my neck, fingertips grazing my collarbone. “I can’t believe I just told you that. I haven’t even toldhimthat.”

He watches my fingers drag slowly across my skin. I don’t miss the way his jaw tightens, just a little.

“Please don’t tell him I said that.” I exhale softly. “Can it be our little secret?”

He shifts in his chair. “If that’s what you want.”

I let the silence stretch between us, then give him a small, knowing smile. “I appreciate that.”

His eyes narrow again, then he leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk.

“I think you’ll be okay,” he says. “Clearly you’re very smart. Very strategic.”

I swallow hard.

Strategic?

“Tell me something.”

I blink innocently. “Yes?”

He leans back, arms crossing over his broad chest. “Did you really come here to buy a car?”

I let the question hang between us for a beat, then exhale, dropping my gaze like I’m embarrassed. Finally, I admit, “Now might not be the best time for me to make a big purchase.”

His lips press together like he’s trying not to smirk. “Is that so?”

“But my Corolla still needs work,” I say quickly. “I figured I should at least look at my options.”

He nods slowly, eyes still locked on mine. “And in the meantime?”

I poke out my lower lip and stare up at him through my lashes. “I don’t suppose you know anything about fixing cars, do you?”

“I might.”

I let my eyes widen a little, feigning hope. “For real?”

He chuckles, low and deep. “I own a dealership, Raya.”

“Right. But some people just sell things. It doesn’t mean they know how those things work.”

He exhales a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I know what I’m doing, I can assure you.”

“Do you?”

His gaze intensifies. “I do.”

“Mmm.” I pretend to consider this, then lean in, resting my elbow on the desk in front of me. “So maybe you could help me figure out what’s wrong with mine?”

His eyes flicker down, just for a second.

“What’s going on with it?”

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