Page 48 of Broken: Taylor

Chapter 21

“What happened?” Tori stared at Allison, eyes wide. “Please tell me you weren’t attacked.”

So much for wearing concealer and makeup. “No, I hit a tree night before last. The airbag smashed my face. My car is totaled but the tree and whatever animal ran across the road are both good.”

“Oh goodness.” Her friend placed the box of vases she’d carried into the flower shop on the counter. “I hit a pole once. Messed my car up, but I pretended it was Tobias and felt better.” Tori laughed at her own joke.

Allison grinned. “I wish you two would sit down and talk like adults instead of always arguing. There’s something still there, you know?”

“Yep.” Tori nodded with furrowed brows. “Mutual dislike.”

The wreath on her decorating table in hues of gold and dark brown was finished and Allison walked around the counter to hang it on the front door. Soon they’d decorate for winter, but she held on to the fall décor as it was her favorite season, the changes in the air and colors made for a beautiful time of year in Montana.

“You know you don’t dislike him. If he didn’t argue with you regularly, you’d miss him.”

Tori opened the door to the chiller where the flowers were stored. “Oh man, I know I said just greenery and baby’s breath, but I think I want those pretty orange flowers too.

“Good choice, dahlias will last a good bit.” Allison studied the short white vases. “Why don’t you live dangerously and we use rosemary sprigs instead of the baby’s breath?”

After Tori left, Allison was glad for the busy work. She clipped the ends of the flowers and lined them up. Two for each of the fourteen vases along with sprigs of rosemary and a green bud for additional color would make pretty table adornments. She pulled a spool of gold ribbon and tied a bow around each vase and then placed a piece of wet foam into the bottom of each.

She fussed more than necessary over each arrangement while drinking tea and listening to soft music. The fragrance of the flowers and her tea always filled her with calmness. And yet her mind kept wandering to what happened between her and Taylor nights earlier.

He’d kissed her and been so complimentary. If only he would be clear and tell her exactly what was going on.

Then again, she could have been direct and asked. After all, hadn’t she once told Leah to take charge and go after what she wanted?

In all honestly, she wanted Taylor, and a relationship with him. One thing that had always annoyed her was how women sat around waiting for a guy to declare himself. Everyone knew men rarely thought further than the next time they’d get laid.

When it came to finances, careers and such, males were right on for the most part. But in her experience, they ended up in relationships without even knowing it.

Her lips curved. Perhaps it was time to take control.

Taylor answered on the second ring. His deep voice instantly sent a chill through her. “Hey, you all right?”

“Yes. I’m good. How are you?” Okay lame start, not sexy at all.

“Good.” Pause.

Time to get a bit edgy. “Been thinking’ about you.”

“Oh yeah?” She hoped he was smiling. It sounded like he was. “About me?”

“The kiss mostly. You naked a lot.” Whoa, she could barely keep from bursting out laughing. She sounded like a porn site.

“Augh. Wow. Was this last night after too much wine?” His voice got deeper. Then he cleared his throat. “I like the thought of you naked. Kinda early for phone sex, but I’m down.”

Phone sex? No. No. No. This was going all wrong. Shit.

Allison tried again. “Would you like to come over for dinner?” Now it sounded like a booty call. This was not at all what she wanted. She’d wanted to let him know...

“I would, but I don’t think I can manage your stairs yet. Can’t manage a lot right now...unfortunately.”

“Oh. Right. No. Damn it.”

“Hey,” he said quickly as if hoping she’d not hang up. “How about you come here? I can cook something. I’ll get rid of Eric.”

Allison burst out laughing. “I’m a dork. I didn’t mean to call and start phone sex. I wanted to invite you for dinner to talk. That’s it. I promise.”