Page 10 of Take Care, Taylor

“I swear on everything,” she whispered under her breath, “don’t make me fucking hurt you in front of your fellow nerds…”

I immediately lifted my glass.

“Now, like I was saying—” She looked around our circle. “Congratulations to the best writer we’ve ever known!”

They cheered, and I took a large gulp.

“What the hell?” I spat it out, coughing as the alcohol scorched down my throat. “What type of wine is this, Cece?”

“Wine?” She arched a brow. “It’s Everclear, silly. We can’t turn up for a night out on wine.”

I shook my head, coughing up the rest.

She signaled for the waiter, and he immediately ran up to us.

“How may I help you ladies tonight?” he asked.

“Can we get something that’ll help this one relax and enjoy her night, please?”

“Something to drink or… something private?” He winked at me.

“Something to drink,” I said. “Preferably something that won’t kill me.”

“I got you.” He smiled at me before disappearing, and Cecelia shook her head.

“He was flirting with you,” she said. “You were supposed to say, ‘The latter. Where should I meet you?’”

“And if he’d said ‘my place’?”

“You would’ve let him dick you down, and then you would’ve told me all about it.”

“You’re the most immature person I know.”

“I’m very proud of that honor.” She laughed, and for the first time this week, I laughed, too.

The waiter returned with peach mimosas, and I managed to last until the final song without thinking about my cell phone.

A couple hours later

Cecelia pulled in front of my apartment and put the car in park.

“So?” she asked. “How did it feel to go out and get hammered like a normal college student?”

“I refuse to answer that truthfully.”

“It’s okay.” She unbuckled her seatbelt. “I can see the thrill all over your face.”

Stepping out, she walked to my side and opened the door for me.

“Need help getting inside?” she asked.

“No, but—” I grabbed my purse. “Can you check the mail at the center and set it inside for me?”

“Of course!” She waited until I made it to my front door before walking down to the neighborhood hub.

After unlocking the door, I stepped inside and hit the lights.

“I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever come home tonight.” A familiar deep voice made me turn to my left.