Page 30 of Dreams
He scratched the back of his head, but stopped as he realized it only made it worse, flexing the muscles in his chest as he raised his arm. “I’m going to grab a shirt, then I’ll make us some eggs.”
“Oh, you’re shy,” she said to his retreating back. “That’s cute.”
He returned a moment later, T-shirt in place. She smirked at him as he picked the bowl back up and continued to scramble the eggs.
“Does Taylor know you’re here?” he asked.
“She knows I’m okay, if that’s what you’re asking. But, no, she doesn’t know I hooked up with a super-hot hockey player last night. That story has to be told in person.”
“You know… Mack…”
“Stop,” she interrupted him. “You don’t have to say it. I know what this was. Plus, I have a boyfriend.”
Josh grunted.
“Before you get all judgy, like I know Taylor will be, we haven’t been together long and we made lists.”
“Lists?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
“You know, people you’re allowed to sleep with. You never expect to actually meet people on the list. I mean, come on, Colin has Emma Watson on his. After meeting Grant, I put him on it.” She shrugged. “Colin won’t be mad. It’s not like I’m going to fall madly in love with a hockey player. No offense.”
He set a plate in front of her. “None taken.”
She took a bite and her eyes widened. “These are the best eggs I’ve ever had.”
“Josher’s a great cook,” Mack said, walking in wearing only his boxers. He took the other plate Josh had prepared and sat across from Abigail.
“Guess I’m not hungry.” Josh sighed.
“That’s good,” Mack replied with a mouth full of food. “Because there aren’t any more eggs.”
Josh swatted him on the back of the head then looked at Abigail. “Is Taylor in class all day?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “But Fridays are her easy days. I can give you her schedule.”
“Great. Write it down while I jump in the shower.” He walked towards the bathroom. Before shutting the door, he heard Mack’s voice.
“I thought we could head back to bed after this, if you know what I mean.”
“Can’t,” Abigail said. “I’m busy today.”
Josh couldn’t help but smile at the exasperated sigh that left Mack’s lips as he closed the door. He wasn’t used to being turned down.
* * *
Taylor’s passion for drawing died with Danny. Before him, it was a hobby, not something she could have ever dreamed of doing in the future. Then he came along and dreamed it for her, made her believe. He thought she was special, so she felt special. Now she didn’t know what she wanted.
The professor dismissed the class, and she walked out of the building into a rare gorgeous day. They were having a rainy fall, and she’d missed the sun. There was still a lot she didn’t know about her new city, but she’d learned quickly that an overcast sky was pretty typical.
Today it was warm, with a brilliant blue sky dotted by puffy white clouds. Taylor walked around the corner of the building in the direction of the student union. She had an hour to grab lunch before her next class.
“Taylor.”
She stopped at the sound of her name and turned back towards the building she’d just passed. “Josh? What are you doing here?”
He jogged the few feet between them and pushed his sunglasses up into his hair. “Thought you might want to get out of here.” He smiled hopefully.
“I have classes,” she said regretfully.
