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I don’t wait for her to answer before I’m jogging through Eden and out onto the sidewalk. When I don’t see her outside, I begin to panic, and a cold sweat breaks out on the back of my neck.
“Taylor,” I shout. “Taylor!”
“She’s there,” Paisley says, pointing up the sidewalk.
I look to where she’s pointing. She’s sitting on a bench a little way up the sidewalk that’s half hidden by a large tree. I make my way to her and drop to my knees in front of her.
“Taylor. Look at me.” She shakes her head. “Please, baby.”
She slowly lifts her head, and when I see her tearstained face, my heart breaks. I reach my hand up to wipe away her tears, but she turns her head away from me and I pull my hand back.
“You love Sophie,” she whispers, and I hate the dejection in her voice.
“No.”
“But you did?”
“Yes, and I should have told you. I’m sorry you had to overhear my and Paisley’s conversation.”
Her eyes go past me to Paisley. “How could you not tell me?” she asks her. “You’re my best friend and you lied to my face.”
“Don’t be mad at Paisley. I put her in an impossible situation,” Seb says.
Taylor shrugs. “It doesn’t matter now.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t be someone’s second choice again, Seb. Iwon’tbe someone’s second choice.”
“Fuck, Taylor. You’re not. You were never my second choice.”
She lets out a sarcastic laugh. “I was! You couldn’t have the woman you wanted, so you settled for me. We even look alike.” She stands from the bench. “It’s my own fault. I pushed you and pushed you into being with me. If you really wanted me, I wouldn’t have had to push that hard.”
She starts to walk away from me, and I stand up and look at Paisley, not having a clue what to say to make this right.
“Taylor, wait,” Paisley says.
“I don’t want to talk to you, Paisley.”
She stops and turns around. “Does Sophie know how you feel about her?”
“Felt. Past tense, and no, she doesn’t. Cade either.”
She sighs. “But everyone else does? God, they must think I’m an idiot.”
“Paisley, Nash, and Wyatt know, that’s all, and no one thinks you’re an idiot.”
“That’s all? That’s half your family, Seb.”
“Taylor—”
“Were you thinking about her when we were together?” she asks quietly, her voice cracking with emotion.
“No! Never. Fuck, Taylor.” I drag my hand through my hair.
“You went and spoke to her about our relationship,” she says. “Why? Why would you get advice from someone you’re in love with? This is so messed up.”
“I’m not in love with her. I loveyou.”
