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“He stepped out for a moment.”
“Oh … okay. Is this Dandelion Meadows?”
“The one and only.”
Papers shuffle in the background. “Um, yes, we were able to get ahold of your brother. He said he’s leaving work now to get you.”
“Thanks.”
“Mhmm. Have a good day.”
“Yep, you too.” I hang up the phone as Mr. Taylor enters the room, with my backpack hanging from his hand. I wonder what he thinks of the patches ironed onto the front. There’s a sunflower, a doodled Post Malone, and some other random ones.
“Why were you on the phone?” His eyes narrow as he sets the bag down.
“Office called.” I move from behind his desk and since the room isn’t the largest, it puts us nearly chest to chest. “My brother will be here soon.”
He dips his chin. His eyes are dark swirling pools. “Talk to me.”
“I already have.”
He shakes his head, jaw taut. His hands go to his hips and I try to ignore the veins roping up his forearms. “Not enough, Dani. You give me bits and pieces before you shut down. I am trying so fucking hard to help you, but I can’t if all you give me is crumbs.” He raises and lowers his hands.
“Who are you trying to help me as?” I counter.
“Huh?” He blinks at me.
I cock my head to the side. “As Mr. Taylor or as Lachlan?”
“B-Both,” he stutters.
I shake my head back and forth, taking one small step away from him. I have to move from the intoxicating scent of his cologne so I can think straight.
“I wish I could give you more, tell you everything, but when I can barely make sense of my thoughts…” I trail off, wrapping my arms around myself. “I’m already giving you all that I have, bit by bit, I am trying and that needs to be enough.”
His features soften and he reaches for me before letting his arms fall to his sides with a crestfallen expression as he realizes where we are and he can’t touch me like that.
Innocent touches shouldn’t matter, but when there are real feelings behind them that’s when it becomes a problem.
“I’m going to wait at the front.” I bend at the waist, picking up my backpack he set down only moments before.
“It’s cold.”
“I’ll wait inside.”
He lets out a frustrated breath. “Let me wait with you, then.”
“Why?” I counter, my tone snarkier than I intend it to be. “If I was any other student, would you be offering to wait with me?”
He pales slightly, his lips parted. “I-I don’t know.”
At least it’s an honest answer.
Blowing out a breath, I reach for the handle on the door behind me. “I’m a big girl, Mr. Taylor. I’ll be fine.”
There’s a stricken look on his face, and whether or not he realizes it, he reaches for me again.
Turning, I let the door fall closed behind me.
