Page 43 of Tailored for Them

“What do you mean?” I asked, staring at the matching bouquet of daisies they held.

“I want to buy these for you,” Taylor fidgeted with their wallet, a brief look of nerves coated their features as they dragged their dark blue eyes over to me, “Is that alright? Can—can I buy you flowers, Nicole?”

My heart was fluttering in my chest.

Heat rose to my cheeks.

I couldn’t remember the last time someone bought me flowers.

I had no issue buying myself flowers. I didn’t do it as often as I would have liked, but I was familiar with picking out my own.

Taylor, however, was standing tall next to me, holding a matching bouquet. Doubling the number of flowers I could bring home.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “You can buy me flowers.”

“You sure?” Taylor looked pleased, if the way their lips quirked up on the sides meant anything.

Their words from our intimate conversation on my bathroom floor that morning rang in my head.

They wantedme.

“Yes,” I nodded, snuggling my bouquet to my chest.

Taylor nodded once and stepped forward.

The person ahead finished, and it was our turn.

“Just these?” the woman behind the counter asked.

“Yes, please.” I nodded. Taylor looped one of their fingers through the belt loop of my shorts, tugging me closer before they flipped open their wallet to pay.

“Unless you have more yellow daisies in the back?” Taylor inquired.

I snickered, “No, no. These are plenty.” I leaned into them. My chest felt both heavy and light at the same time.

“You sure?” Taylor asked, before bending down and briefly kissing the crown of my head.

“Positive.” I was grinning as they handed their card over to the cashier.

“You can never have too many.” The cashier shrugged, “Your partner seems fun.”

“They are.” I smiled up at Taylor, who smiled down at me in return.

After that, they took my hand, and we continued walking through the beach town. We had just come to a large hill, and while I was focusing on what it was going to be like walking backup the damn thing, Taylor tugged me in a different direction, near some buildings on the left side of us.

“Come with me,” Taylor muttered, leading me through small shops and alleys.

I laughed; low-key loving being dragged on a side-quest with them.

Another turn, and we were standing behind a block of tourist shops. Bare brick walls with little to no artwork were now behind us, but in front of us was a breathtaking sight.

“…Wow…” I breathed.

It was sunset, the sky was painted in oranges and pinks and warm colors that sparkled over the Pacific Ocean. There wasn’t a beach in front of us, just the cliffside with lots of foliage scattered down it until it became rocks.

We were behind the tourist shops that were scattered along the very edge of the cliff, giving us an unobstructed view of the sunset.

A handful of clouds blocked the sun itself, making it so that I didn’t need to squint to enjoy the view.

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