Page 8 of Case Closed
I look down at the shirt I have on and grin. “It’s probably better you don’t know,” I tell him, and he shakes his head.
“You know what? You’re right.” He claps me on the shoulder as he walks by. “Good luck tonight. I think you’re going to need it.”
I can tell when he opens the door to the office that the party has well and truly started. Pushing out of my seat, I know it’s time to go find Scout. Whether she’s ready to admit it or not, I need to see her. I’ve stayed away as long as I could, but I’m only so strong.
All I can do is hope that when I see her, this is the last time I have to say goodbye.
Chapter Seven
SCOUT
How many times can a girl double-check her outfit before she knows she’s ready? The answer is a million, and then another one in the bathroom lobby of the building, to be doubly sure.
I don’t usually feel this way about my clothing choices. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting dressed up and wearing my heels, and I’m pretty confident in my outfits. But tonight is different. Tonight, I’m seeing Taylor.
Sure, I’ve seen him a hundred times before, but this time, I’m no longer holding back. I never considered myself to be a runner. When it came to dating, I told myself I wasn't running; it just didn't interest me. Of course, I was lying to myself. I've been running from love for as long as I can remember, but I can't do it anymore.
Not when it's staring me right in the face. Not when it’s already too late. You can’t run from something that’s living inside of you. Especially when it’s bubbling up and begging to break free.
“Are you hiding?”
“Holy shit!” I spin around with a gasp to see Piper standing there. She is, unsurprisingly, dressed as a cat for Halloween. The first time I met her, she had an adorable stray kitten in her purse. I knew at that moment we’d be best friends.
“Sorry.” She lets out a small laugh. “I saw you slip in here. Why didn’t you use the bathroom up there?” Piper lets the bathroom door fall closed so we’re alone.
“I wanted to make sure my costume was okay.” I do a spin, letting her see all of it.
“You’re adorable and sexy, if you ask me. Which I didn’t know could go together.”
“Thanks.” That does make me feel marginally better. It was kind of what I was going for. I want to be sexy for Taylor, but with him I want to be soft too. I know with him I can be both, and he’ll protect both sides.
“So is all this really about Taylor?” She waves her hand at my costume.
“Oh my god, does everyone know?” Of course it’s all about Taylor. I had to check my outfit down here before I went up and saw him. I didn’t want him to see it before I found another bathroom.
“I mean...” Piper lets out a dreamy sigh. “The way he’s always watching you. It’s like he wants to eat you alive.”
“Well, I hope he’s into pumpkins. It’s not everyone’s thing.”
My costume is pretty simple. It's an oversized orange shirt that falls off one shoulder. There’s a pumpkin face on it, but it’s so big it hits about mid-thigh. I paired it with sheer black socks that go all the way up to my knees and shiny black heels that go up past the ankle. The laces on my boots are wicked, and it felt fun getting dressed up.
“That man is into anything and everything when it comes to you,” Piper says. A few days ago, I would have waved this comment off or rolled my eyes.
“You’re right,” I agree.
“I’m right?” That perks Piper all the way up. “Does that mean it’s happening?” It’s like I can hear wedding bells coming from inside her head.
“Go back to your husband before he comes busting in here.” I shoo her out before she starts planning the bridesmaid dresses right here in the bathroom.
As I make my way up to the party, I can’t help but have some doubt creep in. I’m not going to change my mind, but I worry that I’ve already pushed him away too much. The guilt is still eating at me.
Taking a deep breath, I step off the elevator, and my eyes take in all the decorations and people. Then all my focus shifts to finding Taylor. For a second I think maybe he’s not here yet, but it’s a stupid thought. Taylor is never late. As much as I fought things, I know deep down Taylor is the most dependable man in the world. He’s proven that to me time and time again.
“Pumpkin,” his sexy voice says from behind me, and I spin around. He must have been hovering near the elevators, waiting for me.
I smile at him as he lifts his brows, taking in the sight of me. His eyes move up and down my body before he swallows hard, but I’m unable to read his expression.
“I’ve got no fucking clue why I assumed you were wearing something under your shirt.”
