Page 124 of In It to Win It

I glance at the dog. He’s watching me eagerly, as if he’s waiting for me to open it. “You got this for me, huh, dude? Good doggo.”

Slowly I pick up the square wrapped gift. I loosen the shiny red ribbon and peel off the paper. Then I open the white cardboard box. Nestled in tissue is a mug. I pull it out.

I smile. A color picture of a happy Byron adorns the mug. I fucking love it. I didn’t want to admit it when Taylor was asking me about that, but I really am going to miss the mutt.

Trust me to fall in love with a dog who’s not even mine.

Then I turn the mug around and see the words on the other side:

JP,

Thanks for

picking up

my poop.

Love, Byron

Fuck!

My nose burns and my eyes prickle.

I drop my head forward, holding the mug in both hands, squeezing my eyes shut.

I have never felt like such an asshole in my life.

TAYLOR

My office is closed until Monday, so I don’t have to go to work. I’m grateful in one way, but it might be good to have something to distract me from my wrecked heart. I know that’s dramatic, but I don’t care.

Lacey and Everly and I get together Saturday for lunch to exchange gifts since we didn’t do it before the holidays. Everyone was busy with Christmas parties and such. I haven’t told them that JP and I broke up and I’m not looking forward to it, but I do kind of feel a need for some girl support.

We meet at Bistro del Rey. Seated at a square table near the window, we have views of the marina, wispy clouds streaking the pale blue sky above the boat masts and palm fronds fluttering in the breeze.

We exchange hugs and settle into chairs, arranging our purses and gift bags.

“First up is cocktails!” Lacey says. “Let’s see what they have.”

I smooth my hand over the white linen tablecloth and pick up a menu. “Oh, I see what I want.” They have a cocktail called Sunflower—lemon, grapefruit wedges, gin, and Bourbon. “This was made for me.” Except my throat closes up and my chest aches, thinking about JP calling me Sunshine. Buying me beautiful sunflower gifts. My bottom lip pushes out, but I firm it up and swallow hard.

Once we’ve ordered drinks, we take our time with the lunch menu.

“You look tired, Taylor,” Everly says. “Busy Christmas? How was your trip?”

“My trip was awesome.” I play with a fork. “It was so much fun to see my nieces, and my sister of course.”

“You don’t sound like it was fun.”

I sigh. “Okay. I might as well just get this out. JP and I are no longer seeing each other.”

Stunned silence presses against my ears. I look up at my friends and see their wide eyes and parted lips in identical expressions.

“What happened?” Lacey touches her throat.

“I’m not even sure. We had a fight, just before Christmas, but I thought we got over that.”

“What was the fight about?”

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