Page 95 of Dreams
“You do?” Her grin was the sweetest thing he’d ever seen.
He nodded, and she snaked her arms up around his neck before rising up on her toes to plant the softest of kisses on his lips. Too soon, she pulled away.
“That’s good then,” she breathed. “Because I love you too.”
He laughed loudly before kissing her again.
“You want to get out of here?” he asked.
“You don’t have to stay?”
“It’s practically over,” he shrugged.
“Umm …” she stammered, fidgeting with the end of her shirt. “I sort of came here quickly and didn’t book a hotel or anything.”
“That’s good, because you’re staying with me.” He grinned mischievously and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Your parents won’t mind?”
“Trust me, they probably won’t even notice. They don’t come into my wing of the house.”
“Your… wing?” Taylor choked.
“You’ll see.” He winked as he held the door for her and they slipped inside.
* * *
Michaela found them immediately, almost as if she’d been waiting for them. She raised her eyebrows expectantly.
He smiled wide, and Michaela squealed before giving him a hug goodbye.
She surprised Taylor by wrapping her in a hug as well.
Josh went off to say the rest of his goodbyes, leaving the two girls together.
“He needs something good right now,” Michaela said when he was out of earshot.
“I’m not going anywhere this time,” Taylor responded.
“I don’t think it’s all truly hit him yet.”
“No,” Taylor agreed. “I didn’t expect this happy guy when I showed up.”
“He’s had a few rough days, but the worst is coming. I know him. He isn’t going to take it well when it finally sinks in.”
“I don’t know if he’s told you anything about me,” Taylor started. “But he single-handedly put me back together when I didn’t think that was possible. I’m prepared to do the same for him.”
Michaela’s smile was genuine as she nodded, only her eyes giving away how much she worried for Josh.
He returned with his coat in hand and draped it over Taylor’s shoulders before wrapping an arm around her and heading out.
The drive was short and before Taylor knew it, they were making their way down a long drive. Words stuck in her throat as the large, massive, extravagant house came into view. No, house wasn’t a grand enough word for what was in front of them. Mansion. Josh lived in a friggin’ mansion.
A man in a black suit hurried out to open her door. She didn’t even know what to say to him. Josh handed him the keys to park it in the garage so they could just head inside.
The steps led up to massive double doors. Once inside, Taylor felt more out of place in her jeans and Converse sneakers than she had at the wedding.
Josh handed his coat off to someone and then pulled her arm through his.
