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If home wasn’t just wood and cinderblock and paint and walls, if home was the feeling of safety, of belonging, of being fully appreciated and accepted, then where was her home, really?

The answer came with a clarity that both frightened and freed her.

Home wasn’t this house.

Home was wherever Brooks was.

Taylor closed her eyes, feeling sleep begin to claim her. Tomorrow, she’d tell him. Not that she was ready to move in, she needed more time for that, but that she understood now what he was really asking for.

Not her independence. Her trust.

And that, at least, was something she could give.

Chapter 23

The Next Day

Taylor and Blake decided to spend more time together after they left lunch with Paige at Mitchell’s. They were at Blake and Emon’s place again, lounging in the comfort of friendship and shared history.

“I’ve never witnessed my brother look at someone the way he looks at you,” Blake said, pausing mid-bite of sweet potato pie.

Taylor paused, a dessert plate in her hand also. She’d been craving sweet potato pie specifically Blakes. Her friend was multitalented, and she loved that for her. “Blake!”

“What? I’m not trying to meddle,” Blake cut in, raising her hands in surrender. “I just... I want you both to be happy. And it’s obvious you make each other happy.”

Blake leaned over, grabbing Taylor by the hand, “He looks at you like you quiet something in him he didn’t know was loud. My brother is at peace and so are you. I could never be upset about that.”

Taylor studied the intricate pattern on the dessert plate, avoiding Blake’s knowing eyes. “He does make me happy,” she admitted softly. “I’m just...”

“Scared,” Blake finished for her.

“Terrified.”

“I get that. After what you’ve been through withTyree, anyone would be. But Taylor,” she waited until Taylor met her eyes, “my brother isn’t Tyree. Not even close.”

“I know that,” Taylor said quickly, almost defensively.

Blake nodded, her expression softening. “Then stop treating what y’all have like it’s what you left.”

The words hit Taylor like a physical blow. She hadn’t meant to make Brooks feel like he was the problem. He was mending a heart he didn’t break that meant something. She’d been so caught up in her own fears, her own need for control, that she hadn’t seen what she was doing.

“I didn’t think I was,” Taylor whispered, setting down her plate. “Is that how it seems?”

“A little bit friend. And listen I don’t know y’all history. I just don’t, but I know my brother is serious about you. I want y’all to work.”

“Denver changed everything. We had an amazing time but now, being back here, all my fear is telling me I’m damaged goods. I need to be alone. All these things that I don’t feel.”

Blake blinked. “Wait, Denver? I thought that was for work. Lying ass heffa.”

Taylor gave a sad little laugh, rubbing her hands down her thighs. “Yeah. It was work... working things out with Brooks.” She met Blake’s eyes, steady now. “He flew me out.”

“Yuck. Boundaries, please. I did not need to hear that you were working anything out with my brother. Lord.” She fanned herself with her fork. “I’m getting rusty. I should’ve known.”

“Too busy getting turned out by Emon Dowlen,”Taylor joked. Blake pushed her falling out in laughter. Because she knew it was true.

“Anyway, so what’s the problem, and I’m not judging you,” Blake continued, seeing the distress on Taylor’s face.

“Our chemistry is insane. And I love him, I really do. Your brother, girl… he’s so solid, so pure. And some days, I don’t feel like I deserve that.”