Page 23 of Charmed, I'm Sure
Like wiping condensation from a window, memories from Saturday night came back to me with glaring clarity. The man from the bar had been dressed from head to toe in black with a mask covering the top half of his face and head, just like Westley, but with those eyes.Taylor’seyes. Deep, rich blues boring into mine. Strong hands gripping my waist. Hips pressing me into a wall while lips trailed over my skin.
Oh, fuck me.
Taylor Hallows had been two seconds from… well, from doingexactlythat against a Bourbon Street bar wall. Which, in hindsight, was unsanitary and sober me retched at the thought. It had been Taylor-mother-forking Hallows that had made my knees turn to Jell-O. Who’d had his hand up against my… fucking hell. This, indeed, was the Monday-est Monday ever.
And I’d just agreed to go house shopping with him.
Mother, save me.
Taylor
Watching the realization that I was the one who had her pinned against an—albeit gross and sticky—bar wall two nights prior would be ingrained into my mind for the rest of my life. And the flush that crept from her cheeks and down her neck was just the icing on the cake.
It had taken every ounce of energy I’d had to dodge Addy’s questions that night. Drunk or not, she had laser focus when she wanted information on something or someone.
Why are you covered in glitter? Where did it come from? Who is she? Did you get her name?On and on, she peppered me with questions, all while Colin attempted to distract her with anything he thought would work. News flash, it didn’t. Nothing ever did when she set her mind to something. It wasn’t until we poured her into bed, and she fell asleep that I got a reprieve. Too bad it didn’t last.
Walking toward the small grocery store in town, my steps halted as my sister stepped out from around a corner. She had a knowing smile on her lips, and her blue-green eyes burned into mine.
“Whatcha doin’, Tay Tay?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she popped a hip out.
Damn it.
“Going to grab some stuff from the store, I hear there’s a storm coming. Need anything?” I asked, looping my arm around her shoulders as I stepped past her.
She staggered, but once she found her footing, she glared up at me as we walked. “Uh-huh. And where were youcoming from, dear brother of mine?”
“That way.”
“Taylor.”
“Adelaide.”
“Don’t government-name me.”
“Then stop asking me stupid questions.”
“Iwillonce you tell me who the girl is.”
My head dropped backward as I sighed. Relentless. My sister was absolutely relentless. “I’ll tell you when andifthere is something to tell, alright?”
Her squeal pierced my eardrum, and I contemplated calling one of my audiology buddies for a consult to determine whether she’d caused irreparable damage.
“I knew it!” she squealed again, amplifying the annoying ringing in my ears.
“Would you stop that?”
“Sorry, I’m just excited! You’ve been alone for so long; I’m just happy that someone caught your eye.”
Jesus, that was a low blow. Yes, it had been a while, but I wasn’t a complete hermit. Years of medical school and residency weren’t really conducive to relationships, and I wasn’t a fan of dating in the workplace.
“Well, whoever she is, I’m sure she’s great, and you’ll have no trouble getting her to go out with you.” Addy leaned into me as shewrapped her arm around my waist. If only she knew how wrong she was.
When we got to the store, Addy gave me a hug and backed away. “I’m going to head back home. Mom has a list of caterers for me to go through for the party. Do you work tonight?”
“Yeah, I have a shift at seven. I’ll see you before I head out.”
After a nod and a quick wave, I watched her walk away and pulled my phone from my pocket. I hadplannedon getting Magnolia’s number today so that we could set up a time to go house hunting, but unfortunately for me, my plan hadn’t gone the way I had intended it to. Did Ineedher help to find a house? No, not really. But I would use any excuse I could come up with to spend time with her, and I was still surprised she said yes. I just hoped that ‘yes’ still stuck after I jumped the gun and let it slip that it was me Saturday night.
