Page 82 of Take Care, Taylor

“Well, um…”

“I’ll make you something.” He clasped my hand, pulling me out of the room and down to the kitchen.

His touch sent a jolt of warmth through my chest.

He led me to a stool and opened the cabinets. In silence, I watched him mix batter and start a pot of vanilla coffee.

When he was finished, he set three perfectly browned pancakes in front of me.

“I’ve got to take a shower and get dressed,” he said. “We’ll catch up when I come back.”

“Okay.”

He looked like he wanted to say more, but he disappeared down the hall.

Picking up a fork and syrup, I glanced around the kitchen. On the side of the fridge, familiar envelopes jutted out from under a clipped magnet.

My letters…

I wanted to ask why he’d kept them, but the lump in my throat wouldn’t let me speak.

When I was four bites in, the door creaked from behind.

“That was quick,” I said, turning around. “Did you even?—”

“Who are you?”

A beautiful redhead in an olive sweater stood in the doorway.

She didn’t wait for my answer. Instead, she strolled into the kitchen and set down a coffee carrier.

A diamond sparkled on her left hand, and my stomach dropped while my mind raced with disbelief.

“I’m Savannah,” she said. “I’m sorry for my tone… given the circumstances, I’m sure you’re one of Taylor’s friends, right?”

“Something like that.” I shook her hand. “I’m Audrey.”

“Audrey…” She blinked a few times, tilting her head. “That sounds familiar. Don’t tell me how you know him—I think I can guess.”

I stuffed another bite of pancake into my mouth. I swallowed it down with syrup and jealousy.

Taylor has a fiancée?

She tapped her manicured fingers against the counter, flashing a perfect smile while trying to place me.

“I thought you weren’t coming back until noon, Savannah.” Taylor’s deep voice filled the room, and my stomach tightened.

“The meeting ended early.” She shrugged. “I was just trying to figure out how you and Audrey are connected. She was one of your favorite neighbors, right?”

“Not exactly.” His lips curved into a soft smile. “She was my first and biggest bully. Still is, technically.”

“This is Scorpion Girl?”

“The very same.” His dimples deepened. “We were about to catch up on?—”

He sighed as his phone buzzed in his hand.

“It’s the funeral director,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” He left through the back door without another word.