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She shook his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Banning.”

He gave her a final nod and walked out of the room, leaving her and her nine new designs behind.

She sat there numb. Minutes rolled by and then there was a knock at the door and Simone walked in. She didn’t say a word. She sat down next to her and grabbed her hand. Simone was the best; they’d been immediate friends from day one. She worked in human resources.

“You heard.”

“I’m sorry. Mr. Banning came in to tell me. For what it’s worth, he feels badly.”

“Yet, he still let me go. I was told they wanted something different. Something unique. And they had faith in me to deliver. But they really didn’t want different. They wanted different,but the same. I guess I was a fool for not understanding the code.”

“You’re no fool, Taylor. You’re a major talent. Those designs are amazing. And I’m not just saying it to make you feel better. If I ever get married, I’d wear any one of your gowns with pride.”

She stacked her hand over Simone’s, a layer of friendship that she needed right now. “Thanks.”

“What can I do to help?” she asked.

“You’re doing it.” She gave Simone a wobbly smile. It was all she could manage. “I’ll be…okay. I guess.”

“Why don’t I come over with dinner tonight? We’ll have pizza and watch an old movie.”

“Thanks, Simone. But I’ll take a rain check. I have to figure out…my life.”

“Well, yes you do. And you will. But you don’t have to do it tonight. And you don’t have to do it alone.”

“I guess not. But, suddenly, I’m feeling closed in. Like I need to run. Like I need to get away from New York.” The feeling shocked her.

She’d always thought of the city as her home, her haven and her sanctuary, but right now, claws of indecision, confusion and injury were pawing at her. She’d failed before, but not like this. Not enough to lose her job.

Simone’s dark eyes went soft, not with pity but with understanding. She’d had a romance go bad, and the breakup had been devastating. Rejection was rejection and it damn well hurt. Simone had left town, needing a change of pace, needing to recharge her batteries and gain perspective. She’d visited her folks in Atlanta, her hometown, and she’d come back with a better attitude, ready to take on the world again. The only problem for Taylor was that shewashome. New York was where she lived and, up until an hour ago, where she worked. She’d grown up here.

“Didn’t you just finish designing your cousin’s wedding dress?” she asked.

Taylor nodded, not seeing the relevance to the conversation.

“Isn’t that wedding coming up?”

“Not until next month.”

“So, why not visit your cousin Julie a little early? She lives in that small town, doesn’t she? And you’re always saying how much you miss her. She’s been like a sister to you and you’re the same age and—”

“Simone, you’re on a roll, but I can’t just barge in on Julie’s life. I was planning to go one week before the wedding.”

“So, now you go a few weeks early. I’m sure your cousin would love to have your help with the wedding plans.”

“I don’t know. I’d be lousy company. I wouldn’t want to bring Julie down.”

“Well, I’m no expert, but if you give yourself a few days to grieve over your designs, then head out, I can almost guarantee you, you’ll have a good time and come back in a much better frame of mind.”

“You think?”

Simone nodded. “I think.”

Taylor let out a deep breath. The idea had merit and she did have wonderful times in Last Stand when she was younger. She’d love to spend extra time with Julie and get to know her fiancé a little better. Miguel wasn’t originally from Last Stand, but he’d fallen hard for Julie and picked up stakes, figuring he could move his online tech support business anywhere.

That kind of love was hard to find. An image flashed of Coop, the seventeen-year-old boy she’d left behind in Last Stand to pursue her dreams. They’d grown up being childhood friends, but on that last summer together, they’d fallen head over heels in love. It had been the best summer of her life, one that she’d tucked way back in her memory.Puppy lovewas how her mother had defined it and Taylor knew that to be true. She had lofty dreams that no one guy could keep down, but Ryan “Coop” Cooper wasn’t easily forgotten. Even after twelve years, she still thought of him and hoped he was happy.

“You know, your idea is growing on me,” she told Simone.