Page 21 of Holiday Intercepted
“January 8th,” I answered automatically. I always knew their audition schedule. I kept every date in my calendar in case I ever get the courage to make anappointment.
“Email them,” he said, pushing. “What’s the worst that will happen? You don’t get the part and you come back home and continueteaching.”
“Maybe,” I said quietly. “We’llsee.”
He let out a low chuckle. “I know that maybe,” he said. “I’veusedthat maybe. Usually when I would respond to people trying to pressure me to come visit MapleGrove.”
I snickered too, smacking his arm. “I haven’t acted in years. You say I was magical on stage… what if… what if that magicdied?”
He shook his head, the pillow wrinkling at his cheek. “No way. Magic like that doesn’t die. It just goes dormant until you find your pixie dustagain.”
I caught my bottom lip in my teeth. Could I do this?Reallydo this? Go for my dreams in the way my mom always wanted for me. I was scared… but that just meant I wanted it. Wanted it so bad that I could feel those nerves in the pit of my stomach without even having an appointmentyet.
“I could even meet you here that morning and drive you down for the audition,” Tayloradded.
“You would dothat?”
He nodded. “Of course Iwould.”
I smiled, my heart so full, it felt like it was going to burst. “What if I chickenout?”
He shrugged. “Then we’ll go get breakfast instead. But Paige… it’s a lot harder to chicken out when you have an appointment and when someone else isdriving.”
Through the crack of the door, I saw Maisey’s nose and heard a little whimper from the other side. “Maisey,” I scolded, “go tobed.”
Taylor turned his big, blue eyes to me in an expression so pitiful, he gave Maisey a run for her money with those puppy dog eyes. “Aw, come on. It’sChristmas Eve. EvenI’mnot thatheartless.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes. “You put on a good show, Taylor Wilson. But you are far from heartless.” Broken maybe. But not heartless. “Okay, fine,” I said, giving in. Taylor hopped out of bed, opening the bedroom door. He and Maisey came bounding back into bed and Maisey rolled onto her back betweenus.
“Nuh-uh, Maisey,” Taylor said, patting her butt. “That’s myspot.”
Reluctantly, she scooted to the foot of the bed and curled up in the corner with a sigh as Taylor slid in beside me, cupping my jaw and pressing a gentle kiss to mymouth.
“Merry Christmas Eve,Paige.”
“Merry Christmas Eve,Taylor.”
A soft growl came from the foot of the bed and lifting a brow, we both said in unison, “Merry Christmas Eve,Maisey.”
“She’s a prickly little thing, isn’t she?” Taylorjoked.
I reached over, turning off the light beside us. “Shh, she’ll hearyou.”
And there in the arms of Taylor Wilson, I fellasleep.
