Page 44 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)

M organ, Gwen, and I decided to go all out this weekend, renting an Escalade for the drive to Lake Geneva.

We could have piled into Morgan’s small hybrid, but we needed the space.

None of us packed light. Each of us has a suitcase between our casual clothes, Halloween costumes, and hair and makeup supplies.

Checking my email as Morgan drives, I am anxiously awaiting a notification about this signature. I need this signature more than I may have ever needed anything in my life.

Fuck it!

I text Dani, the girl Brandon introduced me to.

She’s launching a nonprofit in January, and I love the mission.

She’s also amazing. We’ve met up for coffee a handful of times to talk about her vision for the social media channels, and we always end up side-tracking into personal stuff.

I’ve sidestepped offers to hang more casually since she is friends with Brandon.

I wanted Brandon and I to figure it out before I really started to try being friends with her.

I didn’t want to complicate it all any more than I already have, and her account is a massive one.

Like any agency would be excited to land this size of an account.

It isn’t small business stuff. It’s big time.

I can’t wait to tell Brandon that in person and thank him for the intro. Thank him for his patience and generally just fucking maul him.

Taylor

Hey! I sent over a contract yesterday. Wanted to make sure it didn’t go to your spam.

Dani

Hey! Received. In legal review.

Legal review. I groan. How long is that going to take?

Taylor

Cool. Excited to get started!

I shouldn’t celebrate just yet. The deal isn’t done. It’s basically done … but it’s not official.

A rriving at Brandon’s lake house, the girls are as stunned as I was the first time I was here.

“He said all rooms are first come first serve,” I share as we unload the trunk.

It’s brisk out. Maybe fifty degrees. I’m hoping the room I stayed in last time is available. But considering there is already another car here, I bet his friends Patrick and Rachel grabbed it.

“The locked rooms belong to family members. So off limits,” I add as we roll our bags to the front door.

Entering, my eyes land on a huge Halloween-themed bouquet in the entryway with red and black roses. I spot an envelope with the word Taylor on it. Smiling, I pick it up. It’s heavier than anticipated. Opening it, I find a key and a printed card.

T aylor,

I’m so proud of you! You are a force of nature, and I’ve loved every moment we’ve shared since we met. Even when you made fun of my loafers.

My room is on the main level. Last room on the right. I want you to sleep in my bed while you’re here. But you can sleep in any room and have my permission to bump anyone out of any room you want. The place is yours.

See you soon,

Brandon

“ I ’m going to cry,” I say, looking down at the note and holding the key. “He’s too sweet.”

I can’t wait to see him either. Typically, I’d share this type of thing with my roommates, but this is too special, too personal—or at least that’s how it feels.

“Go pick out your rooms,” I say, flashing them my key and pointing to the staircase. “I will be sleeping in Brandon’s room.”

“About fucking time,” Morgan says, then swats my ass. Her and Gwen carry their bags upstairs, and I make my way to his room. Unlocking it, it feels so intimate. I didn’t see it when I was here last, and I’ve never even been to his place in Chicago. We have to change that.

Looking around, it feels like him: neat, calm, lived in. Not minimalist or flashy. The only thing that doesn’t feel like him is a sports poster.

He’s never talked about sports.

I walk up to the framed poster and see it’s a Chicago Bulls NBA championship, one from 1998 with a ton of signatures on it including Michael Jordan.

That’s cool. In 1998, I was one and Brandon was three.

Cute. Pacing around the room, being nosy, I like how chill it feels with light blue walls and gray bedding.

It’s got a desk with bookcases on each side and a private bathroom.

“This tub!” I mutter, seeing a giant one for a bath.

I wish our apartment had a tub. I love a bath.

Brandon and I will have to take one. Maybe I should send him a photo of me in it?

I giggle, thinking about that. But I should send him a text, thanking him for the flowers.

I want to call him, but I know he’s at a conference so a text will have to do.

I flop onto his bed and take a selfie, considering something flirty to say.

Taylor

Can’t wait to sleep with you.

Brandon

You better rest up.

I giggle, biting my lip.

Taylor

Thank you for the flowers. I love them.

Brandon

Where are you at on that signature?

Taylor

Legal review.

Brandon

Not what I want to hear.

Taylor

I know!!!

Brandon

I’m cuddling you either way. Did you find the surprise I left for you in the room yet?

Surprise? I stand from the bed, looking around and then laugh seeing a pair of socks on the nightstand closest to the window.

Taylor

You want us to match?

Brandon

No cold feet allowed.

Taylor

Very ready for what’s next. Can’t wait to see you on Saturday!

Brandon

Try not to stress. The party will be amazing.

Taylor

I will try. I’m definitely taking a relaxing bath in your tub before bed tonight.

Brandon

Listen to something nasty while you do.

Taylor

Great idea. I’m going to go meet your friends now and learn embarrassing things about you.

Brandon

Make sure to ask them how they met.

Pacing through the house, looking for everyone, I don’t see anybody. Going out to the patio, I find the group sitting around the firepit on an L-shaped outdoor couch.

“Taylor!” a guy with a beard says, standing.

Patrick. I recognize him from Nicholas’s surprise wedding reception.

“I’m so excited to meet you. Like, get to know you,” he says, giving me a side hug.

“Brandon has a lot of nice things to say. This is my girlfriend, Rachel.” He points to a brunette, and she waves from her seat on the couch.

“We were just telling your friends about how we ran into the lake this March,” Rachel says.

“What? Why?” I laugh and take a seat next to Gwen.

“I dared him to,” Rachel says, snuggling into Patrick as he settles back into the cushion.

“But I had her over my shoulder. She wasn’t getting out of it,” he says, kissing her forehead.

They’re cute. Staring at the fire, I can’t wait for Brandon and I to be like them, snuggled together, so in love.