Page 69 of Sharing Shadow Secrets
I can’t wait to tell Brandon that in person and thank him for the intro. Thank him for his patience and generally just fucking maul him.
Taylor
Hey! I sent over a contract yesterday. Wanted to make sure it didn’t go to your spam.
Dani
Hey! Received. In legal review.
Legal review.I groan. How long is that going to take?
Taylor
Cool. Excited to get started!
I shouldn’t celebrate just yet. The deal isn’t done. It’s basically done … but it’s not official.
Arriving at Brandon’s lake house, the girls are as stunned as I was the first time I was here.
“He said all rooms are first come first serve,” I share as we unload the trunk.
It’s brisk out. Maybe fifty degrees. I’m hoping the room I stayed in last time is available. But considering there is already another car here, I bet his friends Patrick and Rachel grabbed it.
“The locked rooms belong to family members. So off limits,” I add as we roll our bags to the front door.
Entering, my eyes land on a huge Halloween-themed bouquet in the entryway with red and black roses. I spot an envelope with the word Taylor on it. Smiling, I pick it up. It’s heavier than anticipated. Opening it, I find a key and a printed card.
Taylor,
I’m so proud of you! You are a force of nature, and I’ve loved every moment we’ve shared since we met. Even when you made fun of my loafers.
My room is on the main level. Last room on the right. I want you to sleep in my bed while you’re here. But you can sleep in any room and have my permission to bump anyone out of any room you want. The place is yours.
See you soon,
Brandon
“I’m going to cry,” I say, looking down at the note and holding the key. “He’s too sweet.”
I can’t wait to see him either. Typically, I’d share this type of thing with my roommates, but this is too special, too personal—or at least that’s how it feels.
“Go pick out your rooms,” I say, flashing them my key and pointing to the staircase. “I will be sleeping in Brandon’s room.”
“About fucking time,” Morgan says, then swats my ass. Her and Gwen carry their bags upstairs, and I make my way to his room. Unlocking it, it feels so intimate. I didn’t see it when I was here last, and I’ve never even been to his place in Chicago.We have to change that.
Looking around, it feels like him: neat, calm, lived in. Not minimalist or flashy. The only thing that doesn’t feel like him is a sports poster.
He’s never talked about sports.
I walk up to the framed poster and see it’s a Chicago Bulls NBA championship, one from 1998 with a ton of signatures on it including Michael Jordan.That’s cool.In 1998, I was one and Brandon was three. Cute. Pacing around the room, being nosy, I like how chill it feels with light blue walls and gray bedding. It’s got a desk with bookcases on each side and a private bathroom.
“This tub!” I mutter, seeing a giant one for a bath. I wish our apartment had a tub. I love a bath. Brandon and I will have to take one. Maybe I should send him a photo of me in it? I giggle, thinking about that. But I should send him a text, thanking him for the flowers. I want to call him, but I know he’s at a conference so a text will have to do.
I flop onto his bed and take a selfie, considering something flirty to say.
Taylor
Can’t wait to sleep with you.
