Page 22 of Charmed, I'm Sure
In all honesty, it had been more than fine. Despite the massive hangover that ensued, Jaelyn and I had a blast. I’d had just about enough of being around drunken idiots when a man dressed as Westley fromThe Princess Bride—arguably one of the best movies of all time—swooped in to rescue me from one. And when he’d kissed me?Swoon. Technically, I kissed him first, but he definitely kissed me back, and it felt like I’d melted into the wall. Maybe it was the mask or the hero act, I don’t know. I didn’t care then, and sure as hell didn’t now. We didn’t exchange names, and though it seemed like a good idea at the time, sober me was currently kicking inebriated me in the stomach over it. No one—and I meanno one—had ever kissed me until my knees turned to Jell-O.
“Just fine?” he hedged, a sly smirk tugging on his lips.
I could feel the blood pooling in my cheeks and pulled my lips inward as I turned away from his intense gaze. “Yes… fine. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”
“No, I wanted to ask a favor, actually.”
“A… favor? From me? The person who is known for not caring for your presence?”
“Yep. The one and the same.”
“Alright, Hallows.” After loading the specials into the system, I propped my elbows on the counter across from him and rested my chin on my laced fingers. “You’ve intrigued me.”
“I need help finding a place.”
If I’d had a drink in my mouth, it would have sprayed all over his face like in a cartoon. “I’m sorry…what?”
“I’d like you to help me find a place, preferably a house. I just need to get out of my parents’ house.”
“I’m so confused right now,” I mumbled, pushing away from the counter and heading into the kitchen. “Whyme? Why not your sisteror your mom?” I asked over my shoulder as I pulled the order forms from their slots.
“They’re busy with Addy’s wedding and engagement party. Plus, you have good taste.” When I cut him a glance, he simply shrugged and gestured to the main area of my shop. “Look what you did with this place.”
“Sooo, you want a pink and teal, retro diner-style house?”
“Well,no.”
“Taylor,” I huffed out his name in a breath, entirely at a loss for words.
“Mags,” he said my name like a prayer, sending goosebumps down my arms. “Please?”
Please?Sweet baby cheeses. His eyes were pleading, and he looked like a wounded animal. If there was one thing I couldn’t say no to, it was a poor, helpless animal.
“You do know there’s a hurricane coming, right?” I asked, raising a skeptical brow as his lips began to pull upward.
“It’s just a tropical storm.”
“Right now.”
“I’m sure it will be fine. So, is that a yes?”
I couldn’t help the laugh that began to build in my chest as I watched him go from pitiful puppy to giddy. With an amused scoff, I nodded as I tongued a canine. “A house? What about an apartment? You’re a single guy; an apartment would work, right?”
“Yeah, I am, but hopefully not forever.” He chuckled to himself and shook his head slightly. “I’ve done the whole apartment thing, and it’s just not for me. Ideally, I’d love to have a big yard, and since I can afford it, then why not go for it?”
“In this economy? Must be nice,” I mumbled below my breath, but evidently, it had been loud enough for him to hear because his brows winged upward. “Fine, I will help you look for ahouse.”
Taylor’s smile made me pinch my lips together to prevent myself from returning the gesture. It was so bright and infectious, radiating all the way into the deep blue swirls of his eyes, making something warm fill my belly.
“But!” I held up a finger, dropping my smile just a smidge and holding his gaze, “That’s all this is. House hunting.”
With a slight incline of his head and a knowing smile, he pushed away from the stainless-steel table in my kitchen and began backing toward the door. “As you wish.”
My stomach dropped, and my eyes widened as I watched him slowly walk away, his gaze holding mine until he reached the door.
As… you… wish.
Son of a bitch.
