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He sits down on the couch, pushing his left leg all the way to the back, motioning for me to sit between them. I slide in and with one motion his arms and a thin blanket are wrapped over me. “It’s kind of a big deal, I guess. There’s a professor at NYU Will led to us. Well, he’s starting a foundation in memory of his sibling to raise money for cancer research. He wants help getting all his branding right. I think I might get some social media questions too. I feel like because it’s my first one, and it’s a friend of Will’s, the stakes are high. You know?”
“Of course. I wish I’d known sooner. If Will sent him over, he’s not going to be a dick. He’ll have high expectations, but not a dick.”
“Sometimes if I think someone is a dick, it’s easier. High expectations can lead to letdowns. I’m so green. It’s just scary.”
“Hayley Sawyer. Do you think your boss, at Eli’s and your father’s direction, would ever set you up to fail?”
“Well, no.” I continue to pick at the corner of the blanket around us.
“Then stop worrying. You’re a badass. Your ideas are badass. Have you told anyone you revamped my website?”
“No.”
“Babe, you need to start believing in yourself as much as I do. You’re so fierce everywhere else in your life. Don’t let work be any different.”
“Maybe I just need you with me tomorrow.”
“You only need you. I love that you’ll be able to come home tomorrow and tell me all about it. Tell you what, I’ll cook dinner tomorrow night. I’ll make you whatever you want. It could be pancakes. Which now that I said it sounds pretty fucking good.”
“You’re right.” I rest my head on his shoulder. Our arms blend together as his fingers massage over my skin. “It does sound really good.”
“Then, problem solved. Breakfast for dinner it is.”
“Do you need to go back to work tonight?”
“I have a call late with one of my West Coasters, but I’m all yours until then.”
“You’re mine anyway.”
“Possession is nine tenths of the law. I like how that sounds.” He starts to sink our bodies lower until we’re lying down. I end up rolling over so we can be face-to-face and I can have my ear over one of the most calming things I know, his heart.
Chapter Three
Elijah
The last week has been filled with all things work. I’m grateful we can come together as a big family to celebrate Gran and Pops. Mom kept telling us it was going to be somewhat of a surprise. I could tell by Pops’s reaction he knew all along. Gran did too by how she was dressed.
My mother is in her usual hostess mode when we arrive with my Gran’s favorite wine in tow. I keep thinking I should hear Hayley and Wes, but the house is eerily quiet. “Mom, did Hayley call?”
“Yes, dear. Wes got hung up on a phone call. They should only be a few minutes behind.”
“I hate draft season and for him there’s four.”
“Give him a break, Goose. We can’t all work banker’s hours like you do,” Dylan teases me.
“That’s right, dear. He does the best he can, I’m sure.”
Within moments, the Taylor tornado blows in like he owns the place and all's right with the world. Hayley buddies up with my mother in the kitchen alongside Dylan, so I take my place beside my father in the great room with Wes and my grandparents.
“I wish Lily would let me in that kitchen.”
“Mom, she wouldn’t hear of it. You’re one of the guests of honor.”
“I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“Eli, get a glass of wine in Evie’s hand,” my best friend jabs. “That will give you something to do.”
“You’re a bad influence on my girl, Wes,” Pops adds.
