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Christina’s bedroom. She couldn’t believe that she’d just done that. That,

being the most incredible experience of her life. She’d never felt anything

like it. Never. She felt like she was floating, barely touching the stair treads.

She knew she couldn’t get too far ahead of herself. She’d have to be

rational and think through everything, because there were a ton of things

that needed to be considered, but Taylor decided to just enjoy the incredible,

wondrous, newfound feeling that she had in the present.

She realized, as she reached the top of the stairs, that the way she

felt was something people called an afterglow. She was in her late twenties

and she’d never had one before. Ever. She was dang well going to savour it

and leave the rest of her worries and considerations for the morning.

Chapter 17

Christina

Christina’s alarm was always set for six. Normally she got up and went

for a run, had a shower, and got ready for work. Instead of moving, she shut

it off and stared up at the ceiling. She figured that Taylor and Chloe

wouldn’t be up yet.

Taylor and Chloe.

It felt strange to think about that. About having someone else in her

house. Someone asleep in the bedroom upstairs. Christina had slept deeply

the night before, so deeply that she hadn’t dreamed. She hadn’t woken up at

all until her alarm went off. She never slept like that. She knew exactly

what the reason was. A reason with sandy blonde hair and bright green

eyes.

Christina threw on her clothes from the day before and crept quietly to

the kitchen. She wondered what kids liked to eat for breakfast. She didn’t

have cereal or pancakes since she didn’t like either. Maybe an orange?

Milk? Toast? Was that too boring?

She was debating possibly running out to the grocery store when she

noticed a piece of paper on the counter by the sink. She picked it up and