Page 54 of Forgotten Comeback

“Let’s circle back to what you said earlier; you believe you’ve made ‘a string terrible decisions?—’”

“You don’t?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Taylor, I’m not here to judge you. I don’t want you judging yourself, either. Frame it this way: What information can you gather from these decisions?”

A laugh escapes me. “That I’m more susceptible to fuckboy charm than I thought?” I blame my ovaries for getting all excited at Gavin’s dramatic ring entrance.

“Maybe it’s deeper than that,” she suggests. “Emotionally unavailable partners appeal to you for a reason.” She pauses, glancing at the clock. “That’s our time. I want you to journal on this question between now and our next session: ‘Why do emotionally unavailable partners appeal to me?’”

After therapy and a morning of mind-numbing errands, I return home with more adulting to look forward to, being that I’m scheduled for an early shift at the Diamond. Unlike Kat,dealing cards is far from my passion; it’s a steady paycheck and decent health insurance, the latter a necessity.

Parking on the street, I start to my front door, but a neighbor flags me down. “Tay-lor!”

I inwardly groan, shoving my pharmacy bag into my purse as I clutch my new journal. “Hey, Mrs. Parker, I only have a minute to chat. I’m working this afternoon and need to get ready,” I say, attempting to stave off an hour-long conversation about how certain neighbors need to do a better job of maintaining their flowerbeds.

It’s me; I’m the neighbor.

“Oh, this will only take a minute.” Famous last words. “I met your prince of a boyfriend this morning,” she says excitedly.

My eyebrows lift sky-high. “What are you talking about?”

“Handsome young man with the most striking gray eyes.”Fucking Gavin.“Oh dear, I wasn’t supposed to say anything. But since I’ve already let the cat out of the bag, I can’t wait for you to find the surprise he left you!” She claps her wrinkled hands with delight.

“Me too.” I smile tightly, marching to my front door and unlocking it, stepping inside.

I tear through the downstairs, finding nothing before I sprint upstairs to my bedroom. My heart beats like a drum as I fling open the door.

A black gift bag is on my bed.

With shaking hands, I yank the tissue paper out of the bag to find my panties from last night, along with a note.

You forgot these. Evidence has been washed away (and panties dried, delicate cycle).

~ Gavin

The zipper nearly flies off my purse from me ripping it open. Phone in hand, I pull up Gavin’s contact and unblock him, my thumbs typing at record speed.

Call me, or I’m calling the cops.

My phone rings, and I accept the call. “Knew I’d get you to unblock my number,” Gavin says with laughter in his voice.

“Gavin, what the fuck? You broke into my house!”

“Because you blocked me,” he says, as if that’s a completely logical response.

“That doesn’t give you the right to commit burglary!”

“I didn’t take anything, so it wasn’t burglary,” he corrects me.

“How the hell did you even get in?” I say, exasperated.

“Your back door. You should replace that cheap lock,” he informs me.

“Better believe I’m replacing the lock,” I grit.

“What a coincidence. I’m outside with a new lock and tool kit.”

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