Page 68 of Dreams
“Speaking of Sarah.” He showed her the Facetime request.
Taylor grabbed the phone. “She’ll just keep calling.”
Sarah’s face appeared on the screen. “Tay?” she asked. “Did I accidentally call you? I thought I was calling Josh, but I guess I might have hit the wrong person. I’ve been meaning to call you to see how you’re doing anyway, so maybe that’s why I hit your name…”
“Sarah,” Taylor said, cutting off her friend’s rambling. “Stop. I’m just on Josh’s phone.”
“Why would you… Oh my gosh! Are you guys like dating?”
Taylor held the phone away from herself as her friend squealed. “I…” She looked over at Josh. “Dating is a strong word.”
Josh snatched the phone from her and turned it around so Sarah could see him. “No, it’s not, and yes, we’re dating.” Glancing at Taylor, he added, “If that’s okay with her.”
Taylor froze as unwanted anxiety clutched at her. She knew this was what she wanted. After that speech to her mom and that kiss - holy hell, that kiss - she pushed away the doubt that arose along with thoughts of Danny.
Leaning over to Josh, she gave him a quick kiss and then turned to Sarah, who was staring at them with her mouth hanging open.
“You’re going to catch flies in there if you don’t shut your mouth.” She laughed. It was a Dannyism and Sarah knew that, so she grinned.
“Is that a smile, Taylor Scott? And a laugh?” She threw her arms up. “Double score. Joshy boy, I didn’t think I could love you anymore than I already did. Take care of my girl.”
Josh put an arm around Taylor and squeezed her to his side in response.
“I don’t want to interrupt you guys anymore,” Sarah said. “Just checking in.”
“Bye, lady,” Taylor said before hanging up the phone and putting it on the coffee table.
She looked sideways at Josh, nerves building in her stomach. The passion from a few minutes ago had dissipated and Sarah was no longer an interruption. Now it was just the two of them and that word.Dating.
“You’re thinking something,” Josh said quietly.
“Huh?”
“That crease between your eyes tells me there’s something on your mind. And that frown tells me it isn’t good.”
“Then I guess you can’t read me as well as you thought,” she said, trying to change the subject.
“It’s because I said we were dating, isn’t it?” He scratched the back of his head and looked away. “If that isn’t what you want…”
Taylor cut off his words with a kiss. “That enough assurance for you?” she asked against his lips.
“Nope.” He kissed her again and didn’t stop until she was dizzy from lack of oxygen.
* * *
Taylor knew she still had a lot to deal with, but for the first time, she actually did want to deal with it. She felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff with only two options. She could either step off and fall, or she could jump and fly. It was time to fly.
Danny wasn’t alone in holding her up anymore. On one hand, she felt disloyal, but on the other, she knew he’d want her to be okay. Happy, even.
Her mom didn’t bring up Josh again, and she had a feeling her dad had something to do with that. It surprised her to have her father in her corner like that, but he knew Josh better than most people.
Thanksgiving dinner was just the four of them, and Taylor was glad. Since Danny died, she’d been so focused on herself and her grief that she felt like she hadn’t truly spent time with her family in ages. Even when they’d been together over the last year, everything was subdued, like they’d been afraid to smile in front of her, scared she couldn’t take it.
For the first time, Taylor was able to see how Danny’s death affected other people besides herself. How her reaction to it affected other people. She’d never be sorry for grieving him, but she began to regret how she’d done it.
It was good to see her parents’ playful banter; her mother’s sarcasm and her father’s self-deprecating humor. His team thought he was a hard-ass, but Taylor knew better. And then there was Evie. She’d giggle, and they’d all laugh in response. It was automatic. It was the way things used to be.
That night, Taylor sat on her bed with her laptop resting on her legs. Her cursor hovered over an icon for a Danny video.
