Page 24

Always put together.

Always in control.

Until now.

His phone lit up with her name, pulling him out of his thoughts. He sat up straighter, his pulse kicking up despite his attempts to stay cool. Even after running out on him today, here she was, reaching out. That meant something. She could say she just needed the security system installed, but Brooks had a feeling there was more to it, but she wouldn’t say. He didn’t push.

Brooks leaned back, running a hand over his beard as he typed his response.

Blake would have plenty to say about this. Her best friend? Off-limits, in theory. But he’d been quiet for too long, safe for too long. And Taylor made him want to move differently.

She didn’t know he was breaking free too.

Not from a marriage, but from a version of himself he’d outgrown.

Blake had been on his case about getting a life outside of work, about letting people in instead of always being the one handling everything. He was trying to listen, but he was almost certain she never thought Taylor would be the person he let in.

A slow smile spread across his face thinking about her agreeing to one date. That’s all he needed to show her a good time, to remind her that when she was ready, he’d still be right here. Because while everyone else had been sleeping on her, he’d been watching, waiting, respecting boundaries until the timing was right.

Blake’s 25th birthday dinner was underway and the restaurant was packed. And at her request, everyone was to come in their very best. And what Blake wanted; she got. But that day the person he least expected sucked the air out of Vito’s.

Taylor.

Brooks had always known Taylor was cute in a polished, good girl way. Always put together, always polite, always Blake’s little friend who had no business catching his eye. But tonight, that wasn’t the case. Tonight, Taylor was giving everything. She walked in claiming the attention of everyone she passed by. Including and most certainly his.

Her thick hair bounced in soft curls, framing her face just right. Her skin glowed, smooth and effortless, she wasn’t even trying. And the black dress snatching her in all the right places, paired with heels that had her legs looking longer than he remembered.

This wasn’t the Taylor he knew.

Brooks wasn’t even expecting her to be here. The plan was dinner first, then the club. He’d already assumed Taylor would gracefully bow out, because she wasn’t thetype to be in anybody’s section, drinking under clouds of smoke. But here she was, shocking everyone.

His eyes lowered as he watched her throw her head back laughing at something Blake said, the sound spilling out light and easy. Then she looked down at him and smiled.

“Hey Brooks.”

And just like that, the whole damn room faded. That had never happened before. Anytime he was around, she was either scurrying off, avoiding his gaze, or glued to that nigga she was always with.

He scanned the table and didn’t see him, must be why she spoke. A slow smirk pulled at his lips.

“Hey.”

Blake was saying something, but Brooks wasn’t listening. Not really. He was watching. Watching the way Taylor’s tongue flicked out to wet her lips before she spoke. Observing how she tucked her hair behind her ear before leaning in for a selfie with one of their other friends. Hit bit his lip as she turned, her bare shoulder lifted just slightly.

He cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away before someone caught him slipping.

“You good, Brooksie?”

Blake’s voice pulled him back.

“Yeah,” Brooks muttered, his face back in a scowl. “I’m good.”

But he wasn’t. Because Taylor Bradshaw was forbidden fruit. And all he could think was what a damn shame that was.

Brooks leaned back, exhaling through his nose. He’d kept that night tucked away, appreciating it for what it was. That was over with. And he didn’t want to admire anything about Taylor from afar. He’d payfor her divorce, pay for that nigga to get lost so he could take care of her. Take care of what he was almost positive was supposed to be his.

That Taylor, that walked into the party was the Taylor he wanted to pull up with Saturday. Fuck being sad. Fuck worrying about what anybody had to say. Let’s get fly and have fun. Because people were going to talk and already had been. She just didn’t know it. But wherever he took her no one would be worried about them, at least not anyone she knew.

Taylor deserved the best of everything, the kind of treatment she should have been getting this whole time. Brooks didn’t half-ass anything, especially not when it came to something he really wanted.