Page 96 of She Likes It, Hey Micah
He smirks. (Let me tell you—Fischer smirks are the kind of smirks that make women instantly fall in love.) “I lost count,” he admits. “At least they were decaf.”
“But you didn’t have to drink them!”
He runs his fingers through my hair, tangling them up in my curls. I don’t want to imagine how frizzy my hair has gotten after the way we’ve spent this morning, though he doesn’t seem to have noticed. If nothing else, he doesn’t care. The look in his eyes hasn’t changed.
“Micah Taylor,” he says softly, “I drank them because you gave them to me.”
My heart does a strange, thunking stutter in my chest as those words sink in, and I grab his free hand to steady myself. “I’m going to ask you a question you’re not going to like,” I say.
His smile doesn’t change. “Ask me.”
“How long have you been attracted to me?” Oh goodness, that question sounds so self-centered. “Never mind. Don’t answer—”
He cuts me off with a kiss that is so gentle it brings tears to my eyes. “I have been fascinated by you from the moment I met you. I’ve always found you beautiful. I was jealous of Brennan at the park because he was braver than me, and I’ve thought about kissing you since the day we went to the caterer.” He kisses me again. “I think I was in love with you long before I realized it.”
There’s that word again.Love. And unlike the last time, there is no hesitation or cloaking of his meaning. “You love me,” I whisper.
His eyes soften to a degree I didn’t think was possible for him, melting my heart with his gaze until I’m just a pile of emotion in his arms. “I tried not to.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I am so glad you failed.” Before he can kiss me, I grab hold of his loose tie and say, “Will you come to Halloween at my brother Chad’s house?”
His eyes go wide. “What?”
Goodness, he looks terrified. Is it really that daunting to hang out with my family again? He did just fine at trivia night. Oh, maybe that’s why…
Grinning, I run my fingers through his hair. “We won, remember? We don’t have to wear any crazy costumes. Actually, I should make sure we’re actually doing it this year. Hang on.”
Though Fischer groans in complaint, I pull my phone out and send a text to Chad.
Me: Are you going to be home for Halloween?
He answers immediately.
Grizz: Yeah, I’ll be there.
I didn’t realize how much I missed my brother until a wave of relief and excitement washed over me as soon as I read his response.
Me: Yaayyaayay! You can meet Fischer! And Brook is bringing Jordan! And apparently Houston is bringing a date though I have no idea who. Hopefully it’s Tamlin Park because he was totally flirting with her during the entire game of trivia last night!
Grizz: Tamlin Park? The reporter?
I proceed to tell him all about trivia night and how much tension there was between the two of them, all while Fischer does his best to distract me. He’s doing a marvelous job, and it doesn’t take long for me to give up on Chad and return my attention to the man in front of me.
Right as I move in to kiss him, the elevator dings. We both scramble to our feet before the entire group files into the office. Everyone passes without making eye contact with me, which immediately puts me on edge.
Lila and Grant take up the rear, both of them with hardly an expression on their faces.
“Taylor,” Lila says calmly. “In my office.”
I grab Fischer’s hand. I’ve never wanted to do anything less than follow my boss into a small space with her so carefully unemotional.
He squeezes my fingers right as Lila shouts, “Now!” Okay, maybe not so unemotional.
“Into battle,” I murmur and reluctantly let go of Fischer, heading to what I’m sure is about to be my doom.
When I step into Lila’s office, she glares at me, silently telling me to close the door. Closing that door cuts me off from the only ally I have right now, but I do it anyway. Appeasing Lila as much as I can will hopefully soften whatever blow is coming.
“Sit.”
