Page 36 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)
W aiting for Taylor in the coffee shop in the ground level of my office building in River North, I’m happy she said yes to meeting up.
I’ll block off an hour in my calendar anytime to see her.
We’ve been texting, but I’ve missed her.
I also canceled at the last minute on attending the tech founder dinner with her.
She’s hustling so hard trying to get her next two clients, I didn’t want to distract her, plus I wasn’t having a great mental health day either.
Brandon Dubois
What’s your drink order? Just got here.
Taylor Williams
Cappuccino. Thanks!
The sound of beans being grinded fills the room as I look for an open table for us. I’m surprised how busy this place is at ten in the morning.
“You’re getting tan,” I say, standing from the table after she walks in. I love when she wears dresses, especially ones like this that cling to her body.
“My roommates and I have been working from North Ave. beach here and there,” she says, approaching.
“Can I hug you?” I ask as she stands in front of me.
“Of course,” she says, wrapping her arms around my waist and squeezing me tight. I wrap my arms around her shoulders wanting to whisper that I’ve missed her, but I don’t want to make this weird.
We’re friends. Friends until she says otherwise.
Releasing her from the hug, I ask, “Isn’t the beach loud?”
“We go after lunch, grab a happy hour drink, and then walk home. How’s the lake house been?”
“Great. If you and your roommates want to go, just give me some dates and I’ll see if I can join or if the house is open.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not going to the house without you.”
“Why?” I ask, not understanding.
“That’s … too much.”
“My friends use the house all the time, and my dad hasn’t blocked off any days this summer so it’s more open than usual.”
“Maybe. But I would prefer if you were there … but then we might end up cuddling.”
“Definitely,” I say softly, then think back to the last time we cuddled. I love touching her and being close like that and can’t wait for it to happen again.
“Hanging out in public is probably for the best,” she says, looking down at her drink before taking a sip.
“Why?” I ask, smiling now.
“So we don’t break the rules.”
I tap my foot into hers, smirking. “How is business? Tell me about the dinner party. Declan said you are good people, which is high praise.”
“So much to share. My vampire is taking his job seriously. I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect Kyle Rathbone to be as into the costume as he is, but I’m grateful for it.
The boat rental company gifted a handful of influencers rentals, and they generated a lot of amazing content that we can use in ads and our own posts, so everyone is happy about that.
There is this sensory deprivation tank chain that is really going back and forth with me.
It would be a huge account since they have multiple locations. ”
“Have you ever floated?”
“No. You?”
“When I first got into it, I was doing it so much. But I still do it a few times a year.” I pause, hesitating if I want to share why I like to float and why I last floated.
“When I have some big things to think about, I do it since you’re like trapped with your thoughts and stuck in one place with nothing else around. ”
Taylor tilts her head, studying me. “Have you done it since we met?”
I nod. “I think it’s really cool that you are putting yourself first. It’s important to do that.
But I’m also impatient. But that’s something I’ve always had a hard time being, which has nothing to do with you.
I want you to prioritize yourself, and I want to be with someone who has passion and purpose. But waiting …” I sigh. “It sucks.”
“It does … The dinner party was epic networking. Most of them already have full-time social media people, but so many high-profile new connections. I’ll stay in touch with everyone and maybe land a whale.
” Taylor looks down, playing with the handle of her cappuccino.
“I want to kiss you,” she whispers, looking back up at me.
I reach for her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Get four clients already.”