Page 46 of Power Play

Right, because she worked here now?

“Taylor is working on a special new project while also working with our graphic design team.”

I turned to her. “A special accounting project?”

She shook her head. “No actually––”

“No way was I letting this one waste her talent sitting at a desk, working on spreadsheets all day. Oh no. The second I saw her drawings I knew we had to have her. The possibilities are endless. We’re starting on something super-secret, but I have a long list of work for her.”

Taylor was an exceptional artist. I told her that the first time I saw her sketchbook. She used to enter local and national competitions and usually won. That was why I didn't understand when she told me she’d changed her major. I thought being an artist was her dream.

“I’m really glad you realized her potential.” I glanced at Chloe before focusing back on Taylor. “This is what you’re meant to do with your life.”

Her eyes dropped, and she shrugged one shoulder.

I hated seeing her like this. Where was the confident, vibrant girl I loved? She seemed fine when she was with the women, but around me, she sank in on herself. Maybe it was selfish, but I needed to know why.

“Can we get lunch or maybe coffee sometime?” The words were out before I could think about what I was asking for. Basically, a date.

“Now would be a good time,” Chloe answered. “I could use an afternoon pick-me-up. Would you mind grabbing me a passion fruit iced tea?”

Taylor looked between us and seemed to resign to the fact that it was two against one. I didn’t mean to corner her like this, but Chloe was taking my side for some reason.

“Just a second.” Taylor spun and walked back into the office.

“Be nice.” Chloe narrowed her eyes. The or else was implied. I nodded and straightened when Taylor walked out with her purse on her shoulder.

We walked in silence to the elevator, neither of us speaking until the doors were closed.

“This is––” she started at the same time I got out, “Thanks for––”

We both stopped. I nodded to her, and she pursed her lips. “I was just going to say, this isn’t necessary. You don’t have to go out of your way to be nice to me just because I work for the team now.”

“And I was going to say, thank you for agreeing to go. I know you probably didn’t want to.”

She sighed and slowly grinned. “I don’t want things to be awkward between us, but at the same time, we don’t have to pretend like we still know each other. It’s been four years.”

I was well aware of how long it had been. “It wasn’t easy for me, you know.”

The elevator stopped at the garage, and we headed to my car.

“What wasn’t?” she asked while looking around, and I realized she didn’t know which one was mine. I led her to my Lexus sedan and opened the passenger door. It wasn’t the fanciest car among the team, but it was my dream growing up and the first big purchase I made once I got to Salt Lake.

“Walking away. Leaving you.” I shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, pausing and taking in a deep breath before getting in. I started the engine, but when I went to put the car in reverse, she put her hand over mine.

“If we’re going to do this, I would prefer that you weren’t driving.” Her eyes seemed to plead with me to stop.

I hadn’t meant for this to turn into something deep. I shouldn’t have said anything. I shouldn’t have even asked her to come out with me. It was too late. We couldn’t avoid this.

“We talked in Raleigh,” Taylor said “Things are fine between us, but we need to decide if we’re going to go on like everything is normal and we’re just two people that knew each other, or if we’re going to hash things out.”

Neither option felt right. I couldn’t keep up the vague pleasantries, but I didn’t necessarily want to dig up everything either. “What do you want?”

She let out a humorless chuckle. “Oh no, Jason. You don’t get to worry about that now.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“It’s always been your world. Whatever you wanted, when you wanted it. I just held on and hoped you would include me in that, and for a while you did.”