Page 44 of Up In Flames
You didn’t. It’s just a lot to work through.
Thank you again for coming over.
Sorry, I passed out. Not my finest moment.
But I took your advice, and I’m talking about it with some friends.
Somethingakin to jealousy ricochets through me. I want Knox to talk tomeabout this.
Taylor
Care to share with the class?
Bubblesappear and disappear for about a solid minute, making my palms sweat, until finally his answer comes through.
Knox
They think I should explore this.
Taylor
So do I.
Knox’s wallsare coming down, and I feel like today’s interactions are crucial for pushing this thing forward. After sharing that vulnerable moment in his living room, I’m more certain than ever that I want in.
It might be a conceited thought, but Knox needs me…and he’s starting to get more comfortable with the idea ofwantingme as well.
I hear his truck rumble into the driveway right as I end a call with my parents—who I’ve not said a single word to about this budding attraction. Patrick was a good friend of theirs, and when he went to them apologizing, he did it by using the victim card…which mademethe aggressor. To say it put a strain on my relationship with my parents is an understatement.
Treading carefully, I throw on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts before going down to say hello to the guys.
I wait until everyone’s out back before opening the door, careful not to single Knox out. When it was playful flirting, catching him alone was part of the game. Now that it’s turninginto something else, I’m trying to be hyper-aware of my actions and their consequences.
It’s already heating up outside, but who doesn’t love fresh coffee? Knowing they’re sealing the patio today, I load up my breakfast platter and walk around the front of the house to make sure I stay out of the way and don’t step on something I shouldn’t.
When I round the corner, I stop dead in my tracks. Knox is on his hands and knees, scrubbing the stone. Every muscle in his arms is flexing with the movement.
I’m lost in a daydream when Phil’s voice brings me back to the moment.
“Oh, hey, Taylor. Whatcha got there?”
I startle slightly, but recover quickly enough to tell him I brought them breakfast if they’re interested.
“I’ll just leave it on the table over here,” I tell the guys, placing it on Knox and I’s lunch spot from a few days ago.
“You know,” Javi says, starting in on a muffin. “I’ll be sad when this job is done. Think this is my favorite project we’ve ever had.”
“You just like Taylor’s cooking.” Phil laughs.
“You’re not wrong,” Javi says around a bite of muffin.
Knox stays quiet, but when I glance over at him, he’s already looking at me. A glint of sadness in his eyes.
“Maybe my parents will love their porch so much, they’ll ask you to do the kitchen or the bathroom next?” I suggest, only partly joking, because I just realized I don’t want them to finish this job either.
What is happening to me? Dreading work? Not wanting to go back home to my own apartment? I hardly recognize myself.
Will Knox give me a reason to see him once this job is done? If he were to have to make an effort to see me instead of me justbeing in his path, would it be worth it to him? If I offered, would he take me up on it?
