Page 7 of Case Closed
"What are you doing?" I sit up, wondering why he’s putting his clothes back on.
"We're going to the Halloween party together, so be ready." He pulls his shirt on next.
"Wait, you're leaving?" I could not possibly sound more shocked.
"Yes," he says, and I sit up, pulling my blanket over me. "I have to go before I do more than you're ready for." He comes closer to the bed so he can cup my chin. "But your time is almost up."
As I watch him go, it hits me how many times I’ve done this to him. Taylor has always been good to me, and being on the other side of this is eye-opening. Maybe it took me seeing him go to realize how much I never want it to happen again, but I’m going to make it up to him.
Somehow I’m going to finally show him that I trust him. Also, I’m pretty damn sure I love him too.
Chapter Six
TAYLOR
“You look like shit,” Spencer tells me when I step off the elevator.
“Hello to you too.” I glance around the front reception area but don’t see Scout right away.
“She’s not here yet,” he says, slinging his arm over my shoulder. “Let’s go to my office and have a drink. Then you can tell me why it looks like you haven’t slept.”
“It’s because I haven’t.” I follow him into the shared office he keeps with Landon and Gideon. It’s quiet here compared to everywhere else.
“Here, a little something to take the edge off.” He tosses me a pumpkin Reese's as we both take a seat. “You want a beer?”
“Nah, I’m good.” I look out in the hallway and see dozens of people. “Guess the party is in full swing.” There are people in costumes walking around, and it’s even more crowded through all the conference rooms. “Your wife really does it up.”
“It’s her favorite holiday. So now it’s mine too.”
The way he smiles when he talks about Abbie is sweet. I would give him shit about it, but it wouldn’t faze him. He doesn’t care about being embarrassed or looking like a fool. All he cares about is making her happy. I can relate.
“You two seem to have it all figured out.” I unwrap the Reese’s and put the whole thing in my mouth at once.
“When you know, you know,” Spencer says and leans forward. “Well, unless one of you is in denial.”
I nod, silently hating that I can’t make Scout love me back. Or at least admit that she’s got feelings for me. This dance we’ve been doing is getting to me. Leaving her apartment was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with her, not even for the sex, but so I could hold her and wake up with her in my arms.
Running a hand down my face, I try not to let it get me down. She didn’t call or come by my house. She didn’t reach out or leave a note or anything. Maybe she really doesn’t feel for me what I feel for her. I didn’t think it was possible, but what if all this has been in my head?
“Don’t do that,” Spencer says, knocking me off my loop of doom.
“Do what?” I look up at him with confusion, but the bastard is smiling.
“Don’t convince yourself that you got it wrong. I know my cousin, and she’s put up walls for so long she’s forgotten where they are.” He lets out a humorless laugh. “I love her, but she’s so damn stubborn.”
“I’m not sure what to do. I can’t stay away from her for much longer.” I sigh as I fall back in my chair. “What I want to do and what I need to do are two very different things.”
“Taylor, I’ve known you for a long time. If I didn’t think you were a good guy with the best intentions, or even the ability to take care of Scout, I would make fucking sure you were never around her again.” He gives me a hard look, and I know he’s thinking about calling Gideon’s Uncle Dino to make me disappear. “But I know what she means to you and that you’ll do everything to make her happy. So trust your instincts. If they’re telling you to give her space, then keep at it. But if you need to kick down her walls, do that instead.”
I nod, letting him know I hear what he’s saying. I’ve tried it both ways with Scout, and leaving her almost broke me. It was the right choice, but it’s tearing me in two.
“I appreciate that,” I tell him. “You’re important to her, so it means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“All I ask in return is that you name your firstborn after me.” He stands from his chair and grabs the mask off his desk.
“Is that all?” I smirk at him when he nods.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go find my other half.” His costume looks like something Abbie created, but I have no idea what it is. Although I’m sure it’s going to be badass when he’s with her. “But one last question: what’s with the shirt?”
