Page 82 of Charmed, I'm Sure
His words hit me square in the chest, igniting a flurry of butterflies. His eyes held mine with a tenderness that made my breath hitch. As he brushed a stray strand of hair from my face and cupped my cheek, goosebumps erupted along my skin.
“Are you okay?” he murmured, his voice impossibly soft.
“I think I’ll live,” I whispered. Had he moved closer? His lips hovered a hair’s breadth from mine, his gaze flicking down to my lips and back up, over and over.
“I’d really like to kiss you right now,” he said, his breath warming my skin, “but I don’t want to overstep—or mess up your lipstick.”
“It’s a stain,” I replied, my voice barely audible.It’s a stain?What the hell was wrong with me? I was supposed to be mad at him. But one superhero moment, a few sweet words, and I was a puddle of goo. Being around Taylor Hallows was like riding a rollercoaster: thrilling, unpredictable, and downright dizzying.
“Is that permission?” he asked with a low chuckle, tugging me closer.
I opened my mouth to answer—yes, no? Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I was about to say—when the kitchen door swung open. We leapt apart like shrapnel.
Jae stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, her wide eyes dancing with mischief. “I was going to ask if you needed a sock on the door, but alas, no knob.”
“I cut myself. Taylor was just helping me bandage it,” I said in a rush, my cheeks flaming. Jae’s raised brows said it all. She wasn’tbuying any of it. I knew it. She knew it. Hell, the crickets outside probably knew it, too.
“Uh-huh. And did you also require mouth-to-mouth? Because it sure looked like his lips were on yours when I walked in.”
“Jae!” I chided, but she just grinned.
“Fine, fine. I’ll be over here if you need me for more ‘medical emergencies.’”
Before I could respond, Mary Stephens entered, glowing with happiness. “Magnolia! Everyonelovedthe food. The bride is over the moon!”
Hearing praise for my creations never got old; my heart flipped at the compliment. “I’m so glad to hear it. Is there anything else the couple needs?”
Mary shook her head. “No, they’re winding down out there. The bride sent me to insist you take a break and enjoy the rest of the party.”
“Oh, I can’t—”
“The bride insists,” Mary interrupted, her tone firm. “And what the bride wants—”
“The bride gets,” Taylor finished with a smirk.
Mary beamed at me. “Thank you, Magnolia. You were a dream to work with.”
“So were you, Mrs. Stephens.”
“Please call me Mary. Mrs. Stephens is my mother-in-law, and plus, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other in the future.” Her gaze flicked knowingly between Taylor and me before she left.
“Well, you heard her.” Jae clapped her hands together. “Go enjoy the party.”
“But the kitchen—”
“Will be fine,” she cut in. “The waitstaff and I have it covered. Now, go.”
Taylor packed up his supplies, his hand warm on the small of my back as he guided me toward the door. “Shall we?”
“But the kitchen—”
“Will be fine without you,” Taylor said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Bride’s orders, remember?”
I hesitated, glancing around the room. The kitchen was my sanctuary, my refuge in the chaos. Sure, it wasn’t a complete disaster—I cleaned as I worked—but there was still plenty left to do.
Jae seemed to sense my reluctance. “I have your list, Mags. I know what needs to be done and where everything goes. I’ve got this. Go have some fun.”
With a resigned groan, I let Taylor steer me out of the kitchen and into what remained of the party.
