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“That’s hard to believe, Taye.”

“Not really. I don’t meet a lot of new people in my line of work.”

“And you’re too busy to get out there and mingle.”

“Something like that. Honestly, now that I’m jobless, I’ll be searching for work, once I get back.” She had a résumé to revise sooner rather than later. Or Simone would be all over her.

“I have a feeling you’ll land on your feet.”

She gave her head a tilt. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Because that’s what you do. Remember the time you and Julie tried to surprise both of your moms with the perfect peach pie?”

“Don’t remind me. I was in charge of making the crust and I totally blew it. First, I undercooked it, then I overcooked it and burnt the edges. And when I finally thought I mastered the perfect golden brown crust, the bottom turned out to be a soggy mess.”

“Yes, and I benefited from your blunder. I got to eat the mess-ups.”

“You called me Soggy Bottoms for the rest of that summer.”

“I was such a—”

“Jerk?”

His lips twitched and he shook his head. “I was going to say I was such an inspiration to you.”

He was so not going to say that. He was a tease. Always had been. “What are you talking about?” Her voice rose as she chuckled at the absurdity. “An inspiration?”

“Don’t you remember? I made you promise me you wouldn’t give up until you got it just right.”

“Oh yeah, I do remember that now.”

“The very next peach pie you tried to make on your own was perfection. When you promise to get it done, you don’t stop until you do, Taylor. I’ve always admired that about you.”

“I’d had enough practice. After a while, you make all the mistakes you’re going to make, until one day, it all clicks. Of course, I wouldn’t have succeeded without youinspiringme.”

He scrubbed his jaw a few times, eyeing her boldly. “Glad you recognize that.” He smiled, a destroyer, and this time when she rose from the table, he didn’t try to stop her. Thank goodness.

“Off to the races again,” she said.

He rose quickly too. “I’ll see you later.”

Oh, right, at Julie’s. She couldn’t quite get away from spending time with him. “I’ll remember what you told me about Cassie.”

“Thanks. She’s in good hands with you.”

Her chest puffed out a little bit. It was a compliment she wouldn’t question. Coop had a way about him that was sort of…irresistible. Wow. What was going on inside her head these days?

Nothing good, it seemed.

Chapter Seven

“Here you go,Cassie.” Taylor lifted the flower girl dress to the little girl wearing a T-shirt and ripped jeans. The sewing machine and her supplies were taking up residence in Julie’s dining room. “How do you like it?”

It was the same shade of pink as the bridesmaid dresses, but with a few more ruffles and lace added. Taylor loved working on this dress, but Cassie was showing little enthusiasm.

“It’s pretty,” she said finally.

Muffy was at her feet, wagging her tail, waiting for recognition. Not even the cute pup could pry a smile out of Cassie.