Page 31 of Dreams
“I know. I just thought…” He stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans and looked down at his feet. “I haven’t seen you since the dinner at your parent’s house. I thought we could give this ‘friends’ thing a whirl.”
Taylor had wanted to call him all week, but knew he had games. Now he was standing in front of her, vulnerable and unsure.He’s unsure and adorable,she thought.
“Yeah,” she finally said. “Okay.”
He raised his eyes to meet hers and a smile spread slowly across his face. “Yeah,” he repeated. “Okay.”
He led her to his parked car - again, not what she expected. It wasn’t some hundred thousand dollar sports car. He drove a Lexus, still expensive but not showy. Just … nice, like him.
“You sure you’re not missing anything in class?” he asked as they drove away.
“Positive.” She looked sideways at him. “How’d you know where to find me anyways? Stalk much?”
“Abigail told me.” He laughed, and she didn’t know why.
“When did you see Abigail?”
“Look, she’ll kill me if she doesn’t get to tell you the story. So, let’s just say I made her breakfast at my place this morning.”
“She didn’t,” Taylor said. “Mack?”
“I didn’t say a word.”
“I wonder if she’ll tell Colin.”
“Apparently, it’ll all be okay.” He shrugged.
Taylor was surprised to find herself laughing. “Whatever she says. We all know that kind of thing always ends well.”
Josh smiled sideways at her and then looked back at the road.
“So,” Taylor began. “Where’re we going?”
“My favorite spot by the river. It’s the perfect day for it.”
“Ew, didn’t a dead body wash up there?”
“Wrong river.” Josh laughed. “Although, the Scioto is pretty gross too. Just don’t get close to the water.”
“And you like that place?” She looked at him skeptically.
“Just trust me. It’s great. Plus, I picked up some sandwiches on my way to get you.”
“You were that sure I’d come?”
“I hoped you would.”
When Josh smiled, there was an uncertainty behind it that Taylor could relate to; a shyness.
She thought one of the reasons she was comfortable around Josh was because he wasn’t always on. She could see the vulnerability in his eyes. It matched her own.
Josh parked the car, and they stepped out into the parking lot.
“Just wait,” he said. “Follow me.”
There was a road running between the river and the stretch of parks. Tall trees loomed overhead, providing small amounts of shade as they walked. Smaller trees and bushes lined the edge of the water. Taylor could see the river as they got closer, its brownish water rushing towards the dam downstream.
“That’s disgusting,” Taylor said as Josh put a hand on her back to steer her aside for a passing cyclist.
