Page 53 of Charmed, I'm Sure
I watched as three little dots popped up then disappeared twice before his response finally came through.
Taylor
So when are you going to let me take you out?
My thumbs paused over the screen as my endless to-do list scrolled through my brain. I wanted to go out with him; I really did. But our timing was always off. I still didn’t know what he did, and I kind of liked it that way. It kept some of the mystery that this town—where everyone was in everyoneelse'sbusiness—severely lacked. Whatever it was he did, our schedules rarely aligned, and with the holidays approaching, finding time to do anything outside of work would be next to impossible.
Make time, the little voice in the back of my head chided.
I tilted my head to the side, narrowing my eyes on the screen when a thought popped into my head just as Jaelyn poked her head around the corner.
“Hey, I just talked to Mrs. Thibodeaux. They want to keep the dinner and asked for alligator if you can find it, but chicken is fine if not. She also said you’re welcome to use her kitchen so you don’t have to cook it here and then transport it all the way to Baton Rouge.”
My shoulders sagged with relief at Jae’s words. “Thank God for that. Is the rest of the shopping list finished? And can you give Gary a call to see if he can help us out?”
“Yes and yes. You want it?”
“Yeah. I’ll finish up front, and then head out.”
“Do you want me to come with?” she asked, curiosity swirling in her eyes.
“Nah, I just kind of want to disassociate while I shop. Plus, I have a new audiobook I can listen to.”One truth, one lie.
“Uh-huh.” Her eyes narrowed as she asked, “What book?”
Scrunching my brow, I replied, “Uh, I don’t remember the name, but it’s some small-town, age-gap, grumpy-sunshine, something or another that Maddie suggested.”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed in response, her lips pursing in a way that said she knew I was full of shit. “Whatever you say, Mags. I’ll leave the list on the desk. Call me if you need anything or wantcompany, okay?”
“Yep.” I popped thepwith a little more force than necessary, and Jae shook her head as she turned back toward the office. “Love you!” I hollered at her back.
“Uh-huh. Love you too, liar.”
Did I hate lying to my best friend? Absolutely. But I couldn’t break my own ground rule, could I? Plus, I was about ninety-nine percent sure she knew and was just waiting for me to blurt it out. After all, she was one of the people who pushed me toward him, so it’s not like it would come as much of a shock if Ididtell her.
One step. I made it one step toward the office, determined to spill the beans about me and Taylor—because there was no way I could keep this from her for long—when another text came through on my phone.
Taylor
Mags?
And that’s what we call the universe intervening.Blowing out a raspberry, I looked up toward the ceiling and then typed out a response.
Magnolia
Can you meet me at my house in twenty?
Taylor
Sure.
You gonna tell me what you have in mind, or are we flying by the seat of our pants?
Magnolia
How do you feel about grocery shopping?
Taylor
