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“Where are we going?” I question him as we step into the hall.
“No idea.” He grins—grins completely giddy. “That’s the beauty of it.”
“Isn’t it amazing?” I gush, walking out of the art museum into the chilly air.
“It’s … something.” Sage’s response is expected.
I bump his arm with my elbow. “Come on, it’s incredible. I can’t believe you’ve never been.”
He cracks a small smile. “I’m not exactly an art connoisseur. How’d you even know about this place?”
“Ansel—”
He holds up a hand. “Say no more.”
I laugh, climbing into his car. “You have nothing to be worried about when it comes to Ansel. He’s my friend, that’s it.”
He slides behind the wheel, cranking the engine. “You can tell me that until you’re blue in the face all you want, but he’s still a guy, and he still has a penis.”
I roll my eyes. “Brothers.”
“Sisters.”
We exchange twin smiles. As he pulls away, I say, “Have you thought any about seeing a counselor yourself?” I have a list from Lachlan sitting on my phone to suggest to Sage. I’ve also given up on trying to force myself to think of him only as Mr. Taylor. He’s Lachlan to me and nothing can change that. Not even if it would be the smarter thing.
“Not much,” he admits with a wince. “Guess I have the time now, be
ing jobless and all. It’d probably be a good idea, huh?” He glances at me for assurance.
“I didn’t want to talk to any of mine, but Mr. Taylor has really helped.”
Despite my crush on him, and what’s developed into more, I do think being forced to see him five days a week has helped me chisel away at the walls I put up to protect myself, my thoughts, and my fears. I’ve gotten to know him and that makes sharing things easier.
“I think I will,” he says softly, like if he doesn’t speak loudly then it’s not as scary.
“I … uh … have a list of counselors Mr. Taylor suggested—for after I graduate,” I quickly lie when his eyebrows rise, figuring it’ll be an easier pill to swallow if he believes the list is for me.
“Oh, cool. Give it to me later.”
“I will.”
Looking out the window, I stare at the buildings we pass by. The brick and stone colors blend together, occasionally broken up with graffiti.
“Lost in thought?” he asks after a few minutes.
I shake my head. “Blissfully empty for the moment.”
When his eyes move from the traffic to me, I know he figures I’m lying, especially with what happened yesterday.
Sure enough he says, “You sure about that?”
I’m quiet. “Yes,” I finally say. It’s not a lie either, I’d let myself zone out and nothing had been on my mind, but now there is.
“Should we stop for coffee before we go home?”
“Yeah.” I reach in front of me, adjusting the vent. “That’d be good.”
After swinging by Watchtower we finally return to the condo.
