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Taylor:Which is?

His call came without warning, but right on time—his face filling her screen, eyes warm and knowing she needed him. He had a habit of skipping the small talk just to see her face. It threw her every time.

“Let me take you out. Show you a good time. Just friends.”

She pulled her knees into her chest and glared at him. His smile was unwavering, and she smiled back.

“I knew it. So this is about payback?”

His laugh was low. “Nah. because... I think you need it. All I hear is how tired you are. How you need different. Let me take you out.”

“One date?” She asked.

He nodded. “That’s all I need.”

She hesitated, then smiled. “Okay.”

“Saturday. Five o’clock. I’m picking you up and I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

Taylor looked down at her phone. She didn’t know what she was doing. But if the only thing Brooks asked in return for helping her was time? Time she could give.

He wouldn’t take her money. She never expected him to.

“Okay, and I doubt it but you better be.”

“Aight. Get some sleep, I’ll see you Saturday.

They disconnected, and her legs flung out in front of her flailing in the air. It was an unconscious release of the excitement bubbling in her chest and belly.

Then her phone buzzed again.

Brooks:I would’ve done it regardless. I’m up like 3 and 0, twin.

She stared at the message, her stomach flipping. And bit her lip.

Taylor:Petty!

The excitement from before was still there, but now it was tangled up with guilt. This was messy and too soon.

The logical part of her knew she should call him back, shut it down before she got too deep in something she couldn’t control.

The reckless part of her was over making choicesthat always put her last. Taylor wanted to see what it felt like when you just went with it, went with what you felt not what people expected.

She set her phone down and exhaled, rubbing her hands over her face. Because another wave of doubt washed over her. More maybe’s, more overthinking.

Maybe she should be alone.

Maybe she should take time to figure herself out, learn how to exist outside of being someone’s wife.

But another maybe sat right beside it, one that gave her a win for a change. And she needed a win.

With that thought, she climbed under her blanket, her phone still warm in her palm. And drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 7

Brooks had never been the type to let technicalities stand in his way. The voice of reason told him he had no business getting caught up in this, but something about Taylor reeled him in like a fish on a line. He liked a woman who moved quietly, handled her business, and didn’t need to be the loudest in the room.

That was Taylor.