Page 23 of Tailored for Them

“I can see him shoving his glasses up his nose and clicking his pen before taking notes,” I snickered.

Finally, I responded.

Me: Well, you don’t need to practice kissing. You have that down to an art. However, if you wanted to “practice sleeping with someone who isn’t a cheater,” I am happy to volunteer for the job.

The conversation shifted during the rest of the lunch hour, more focused on the plans for visiting Susan’s grave. I wasremembering Jacqueline’s words, how Nicole was fragile. She was still recovering from her shitty breakup. I didn’t want to push her; I wanted everything that happened between the two of us to be entirely consensual.

But when my phone buzzed one more time, I felt a thrill of heat warm my veins at her response.

Nicole: Well, for the sake of “practice,” I think I might take you up on that (:

Chapter Seven

NICOLE

I sat there staringat the last exchange we had, stepping off the elevator and making my way toward the parking lot.

Taylor: Are you busy tonight?

Me: Not at all. Want to come over?

Taylor: Yes. Address?

I was going to have a hook-up. I was going to hook up with Taylor Desmond. We weren’t even going to go on a date. They were just going to come over and we’d mash our mouths together again.

Probably.

Hopefully.

My heart was beating in my chest, excitement making me twitchy as I made it home and watched the time go by. Getting closer and closer to the time we agreed on.

It’s real, Nicole. You’re really doing this.

I was both nervous and excited. I was desperately trying not to think too much about this.

When a knock sounded on my door, I jumped in my seat. I practically fell off the barstool as I rounded the kitchen counter to answer.

When I opened my front door, I felt surprised to see them there. Which was ridiculous. I invited them over. I expected to see them there. And yet, staring at Taylor on the threshold of my apartment felt almosttooreal.

They wore their jeans low on their waist. I could see the protrusion of their hip bones peaking underneath their cropped t-shirt. A dramatic divot parted their abdominal muscles.

“How old are you?” I asked before licking my lips. God, what a stupid thing to ask. I waved them in, and they stepped through to allow me to shut the front door.

My throat was suddenly so dry. I swallowed around nothing. My heart was pounding at a rate that couldn’t be sustainable.

They lifted a dark brow at me from my question, before their pink lips parted in a sly smile, “Thirty-nine.”

I widened my eyes. “What?” That was very unexpected.

Taylor widened their eyes, too, clearly mocking my reaction.

“Is that a problem?”

“I assumed I was older than you.” Instead, they were two years older thanme, “What’s your skincare routine?”

Taylor smirked, and a lighthearted laugh escaped their lips. From the way their shoulders relaxed, I could have sworn they looked relieved. “It’s not easy maintaining skin as soft and touchable as mine.”

My fingers twitched at my sides as if to feel for myself.

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