Page 101 of We Finished Here

Sooner than I expected, she’s coming up to my penthouse. The elevator opens straight into the lobby. It almost seems strange watching her step into my place.

It’s definitely a whole world away from our tiny one-bedroom apartment we shared when we were in college.

“Hey,” she says shyly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

She stands there in jeans, a cute tee, and sneakers, her hair up in a bun.

I smile as I walk up to her. I give her a hug, basking in her scent. We’re both acting a little coy, like we didn’t just have our hands and tongues everywhere yesterday.

It’s sexy thinking about it. I’m still relishing in the glorious taste of her.

“Hi,” I say, as I can’t help but take her all in.

“So, this is your humble abode?” She laughs.

I open my arms wide, gesturing to the massive open-plan living area behind me with a huge TV plastered over one wall.

“I got a little bit of space.” I smile ruefully. “Finally got you up here, though.”

“I didn’t know you lived in a penthouse.”

“I had to do something with the money.” I shrug. “Investing in property seemed like a good idea.”

She glances around. “It’s beautiful, Taylor.”

“Thank you. I’ll show you around in a bit. Would you like a drink?”

“I’d love one.”

“I have a bottle of Prosecco chilling for you, and I don’t have training until later tomorrow so I can even have a glass.”

“Old habits die hard,” she muses.

“Isn’t that the truth.” If only she could read between the lines with that statement.

“So, have you spoken to your Mom again yet?”

I reach for two wineglasses and open up the wine bottle. “Me and my Mom aren’t so good right now.” I shake my head. “She shouldn’t have done what she did, and no matter what you say, it isn’t okay.”

“I know that,” she says quietly. “But she’s your Mom.”

“I just need to think about things,” I say, passing her a glass of wine.

“What about us?” she asks, lifting the glass up to her lips.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and move around the expansive marble counter to face her. “That’s a whole other story in itself, isn’t it?”

“I guess it is.” She bites her lip like she isn’t sure.

“Do you want to come up to my roof deck and we’ll talk about it?”

“Of course you have a roof deck.” She rolls her eyes.

I laugh and pull her by the hand. “I’ve been wanting to show you this ever since I heard you were back in town.”

“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”

I shake my head. “I haven’t brought anyone here.”

---