Page 26 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)

W aiting for Taylor in the lobby, I try to catch up on a few articles, but I can’t get over the energy between us. We could do this every Saturday. Have this tradition of yoga, then brunch. I want that.

Taylor steps out of the locker room in a tennis skirt with a baggy T-shirt tucked in. Her hair is still damp and curly. She’s gorgeous.

“Ready for brunch?” I ask, reaching for her hand. She nods, adjusting the strap of her tote bag, and I pull her into me. I grab the back of her thigh and lean down to give her a quick kiss. “You never told me where we’re going,” I tease.

“Looks like you’ll have to let me lead.” She winks and squeezes my hand as we leave the studio.

Walking down the sidewalk in the Old Town neighborhood, traffic is nearly bumper to bumper as we pass storefronts and restaurants and dodge women pushing strollers.

“I’m getting the French toast,” Taylor says as we approach a restaurant with a sign of a gigantic piece of toast extending from the wall. “It’s my favorite.”

I feel euphoric, like I’m almost watching us from another person’s perspective. This is what a normal relationship is like. This is what it’s supposed to feel like. No chaos, just calm.

“Patio?” Taylor asks, bringing me back to the moment.

“Always.”

A hostess leads us to an open table on a crowded patio, the buzz of their conversations humming loudly.

Passing various plates, this looks like a casual spot.

We’re seated next to the barricade since the patio extends into the street.

There’s only one hundred days of summer in Chicago and everyone takes it seriously.

Scanning the menu, it’s a mix of healthy and comfort foods.

“What are you up to after this?” I ask.

Taylor cocks her head. “Aren’t we going to keep hanging?”

“If you want to,” I say easily, hoping she does.

“I want to.”

“My place then?” I ask, sensing she’s just as horny as I am.

“Do you have roommates?”

“No. I have a three-bedroom condo all to myself in River North.”

“Must be nice to live alone … And that seems like the best choice, then.”

I chuckle, and my phone buzzes in my pocket. Sliding it out, I freeze seeing the text displayed on the screen.

Kate Albert

She’s pretty.

I sharply inhale and turn off my phone. I sip my water and take a quick glance around the patio. I don’t see her, but my heart is nearly beating out of my chest. I look over my shoulder, glancing at the sidewalk and cars. Kate is absolutely not meeting Taylor. And I don’t want Taylor to meet Kate.

Taylor’s brows furrow. “Why did you turn your phone off?”

“Because I don’t want to be distracted,” I say with a noticeable edge.

Her finger plays along her lip before she asks, “Who texted you?”

“My ex.”

“Oh …”

The last thing I want is Kate’s dark cloud to turn this perfect day into a thunderstorm.

“She must have driven by or something,” I say, then take a sip of water, trying to refocus on our date. “She said you’re pretty.”

“That was the text?”

“Yeah.” After the word leaves my lips, I hear the frustration in it and scold myself.

“Is she still into you?” Taylor asks, dragging out each word.

My shoulders raise. “All I know is that she doesn’t like that I won’t talk to her anymore.”

The server approaches, and Taylor hesitates to order.

“She’ll have the French toast, and I’ll have the farmer’s breakfast,” I say to the server. “Do you want juice or something?” I ask Taylor.

“Iced vanilla latte.”

“Water is good for me.”

The server walks away, and Kate cannot fucking ruin this date. “I’m sorry about the distraction.” I reach for Taylor’s hand, and she softly smiles.

The silence from her. I don’t know what to make of it.

“So …” she finally says. “Are you over your ex?”

“Yes, but I will always worry about her.” I rub my face, stressed. “Outside of her struggles, she doesn’t want to get married and have kids, and that’s something that is important to me. I want that.”

“What else are your non-negotiables?”

“I want something healthy and serious. Where we’re a team and we also have our own goals. I tend to lose myself in relationships, so I’m trying to be better about keeping my hobbies and interests while with someone. So, as much as I’d like to see you every day, that isn’t the best for me.”

Taylor looks down, and my gut is telling me that something is wrong. “I’d like to say I want all of that, but right now I’m really focused on how I’m going to get more clients and pay my rent.”

I rest my head in my hand, leaning on the table. “How have your meetings gone? Anyone looking like they will work with you?”

“I think they’ve gone well, but I should have thought through the finer details of this business prior to quitting my job. I’m starting to get stressed about money.”

Do not offer her money. That will only make her retreat more.

“I don’t think now is the right time for me to be focusing on a relationship,” she says, looking down. “Being casual works, but that’s not what you want.”

I fight back the urge to give her what she wants—to be casual. I’m looking for something serious, and she’s saying she doesn’t want that at the moment. The server approaches, placing her iced latte on the table.

“Are you saying once your business is more established, you would be open to something more serious?” I ask after they walk away.

“Yeah. I need three more clients like High Five and then I’ll feel solid.” Taylor exhales. “Do you get where I’m coming from?”

This day just keeps getting worse, but I hear her words and understand. “You don’t feel settled, and you want to feel settled before taking on any more change.”

She smiles, taking a sip of her latte. “Exactly.”

“That means we can’t make out anymore,” I tease.

“I know. I’m really bummed about it.”

“I promise you I’m more bummed.”

So fucking bummed we don’t get to have more mornings like the other day.

We silently stare at each other until the server slides our dishes in front of us. “Generally speaking, though … you are into the idea of marriage and kids?”

“So thirsty.” She giggles, and I take a sip of my water. “I do want those things,” she says with the cutest smile on her face.

“Thank God.” I wink. “Let’s not be strangers, okay?

” I squeeze her hand and know I shouldn’t touch her anymore.

This was the “let’s be friends” chat. Considering we’ve never actually slept together, it should be easier than previous times I’ve had this conversation, but it still hurts.

“If you need introductions to anyone or whatever, I’m here. ”

Taylor’s expression softens, and while this sucks, I don’t think it’s the end for us. I think it’s a pause. I fucking hope it’s just a pause because I really like her.