Page 85 of Into The Rabbit Hole

“A lot’s happened,” he remindedher.

“I know, and I don’t think I’ll ever quite get over it.” None of them would. But speaking for herself, she knew that she would have a hard time. It would get easier with time, but it would be hard. To help her, she needed to cling to every ounce of happiness around her. The source of that happiness was holding her, making her forget that her ex-boyfriend was the evil mastermind behind the plot to kill her family. Wes was here, soothing her mind from the loss of Ben. “I just want to be happy withyou.”

“You can have that.” The corners of his mouth lifted into a grin. “I’m really sorry for all thathappened.”

“Thank you for coming. We wouldn’t have made it out, if not foryou.”

“Any time.” The grin turned into one of his dazzlingsmiles.

She swore she could look at this man all day long, admiring him and the sexy freckles on hisnose.

“So.” He cleared his throat in that suggestive way that told her he was about to talk about something that would put her right on thespot.

She already knew why he did it. There was something they needed to say to eachother.

She raised herself up on the tips of her toes and bowed his head to meet her lips. “I love you,” she said into akiss.

“My God, I’m in heaven.” He made a show of relishing in her words, but then he fixed his gaze back to her and focused. “I love you, too,Taylor.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh, I certainly do, and I have a really goodidea.”

“Let me hear thisidea.”

“I was thinking, that holodeck needs some more research. The Bora Bora hologram was great and everything, but the sand wasn’tright.”

She started to laugh and it felt good. “Thesand?”

“Yeah, yeah. The color was completely off. We had golden sand but we need white sand. But it’s a specific white. One that can only be replicated if you see it.” He nodded as hespoke.

“I see what youmean.”

“Good, so you’ll understand why we’ll have to go there. Think of it as fieldresearch.”

She gasped, loving the idea completely. “Oh my gosh. Us, in Bora Bora.” She couldn’t think of anythingbetter.

“Imagine the fun, and the field research, ofcourse.”

“Yes, the romantic getaway research. Oh, Wes.” She moved to rest on his chest, enjoying the strength in his heartbeat. “Thank you for making me sohappy.”

“And you, Taylor. I have a feeling we’re going to have a very interesting timetogether.”

Oh, she knew, and she couldn’t wait. She knew that being with him could only equal true happiness, something she’d always craved. He kissed the top of her head as she snuggled againsthim.

* * *

Regina

* * *

The sun would rise soonand it would be a newday.

It was nearly four a.m., but to her it could have been four p.m. They were advised to go home and sleep, but Regina was fine being here, waiting with herfamily.

Brian sat next to her in the booth in the café. The section was super quiet due to the time. Behind them was the sales assistant at the counter who looked like she’d had enough of the silence the night shiftbrought.

Night shift, early shift. Time seemed to roll into one lump forher.