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He shook his head and let out a deep breath. “Listen to me; I’ll never be too busy for you, and I don’t ever want you to wait to share something with me. Don’t you remember what I told you Saturday? You are, and will always be, my priority.” His lips turned up with a smile and he moved closer to her before he spoke again, his voice low, as if his next words were a secret. “Besides, I can’t get fired, remember?”

Emily didn’t know what to say to him, and being speechless wasn’t something that happened often to her. She smiled and searched her brain for something to say, but the only thing she managed was, “Ditto.”

He laughed at her response—not because he thought it was funny, but because he knew that if he was to call every time he wanted to, then they would never be off the phone. “You’ve got yourself a deal,” he agreed eagerly. “Now let’s go. I’m going to take you to lunch and you can tell me what had you fighting the urge to call me.”

She packed her things quickly and they walked, side by side, to a quiet bistro close by. Emily told him about her talk with Chelsea and the good news it brought. With that, the ordinary lunch between friends became a celebration. She also told him about her meetings with the editors, and how she wanted his company. After quickly considering the options, Taylor informed her that the best day for him was Tuesday. What he didn’t say was that the reason for that had nothing to do with his availability, and everything to do with wanting her back in NYC sooner rather than later.

After their lunch, Taylor walked her back to the coffee shop where he reluctantly left her only before receiving a promise that she would call or go to the studio should any of those urges reappear.

With the exception of the many texts exchanged between the two friends, the afternoon was not much different to the morning. They each focused on their jobs, without ever letting the other out of their minds. In a few of his texts, Taylor mentioned that he was desperate for a decent cup of coffee but that, with the amount of work he had, there was no way he would be able to go out for some. Another recurrent topic involved a certain blond who Emily didn’t know, but already hated.

Finishing her work much sooner than expected and itching to be with Taylor again, she decided to make good on her promise to him and follow her urges. With her things packed in her bag and both of their orders of coffee, Emily walked the short distance to the gallery.

It took a deep breath and a lot of determination for Emily to reach and open the heavy wooden door. The moment she stepped inside, it was clear to her that none of Taylor’s coworkers had ever been to his apartment, because if they had, there would be no way to deny the fact that the place was his. It had that rustic sophistication that was so
Taylor
.

She was standing still, taking the place in, when an annoying high-pitched voice called to her. “I’m sorry miss, but we’re closed today.”

Sitting behind a massive wooden counter to her left was a woman, working with a state-of-the-art computer. Emily instantly recognized Kimberly. She was exactly as Taylor had described her: too thin, too blond and generally unpleasant to her very core.

“I’m actually looking for someone; Taylor Carter.”

Emily’s sweetness did nothing to tame the other woman’s bad manners and sour mood; quite the contrary, actually. Kimberly scanned Emily up and down with a look of disdain on her face. “I’m sorry, dear, but we’re opening a show tomorrow, and Taylor’s very busy going over things with the artist.”

A small smile curled at the corners of Emily’s lips before she spoke in the no-bullshit tone she’d learned from her sister. “I understand that, but if you could please call him and let him decide if he has time to speak with me, I would appreciate it. My name is Emily, by the way.” Taylor had been right; the woman could test the patience of a saint.

With clenched jaws, Kimberly picked up the phone to call Taylor. Her annoyance was visible in the flat line of her lips. She wasn’t used to people speaking to her that way, and Emily’s certainty that Taylor would see her was only adding to the flame, quickly making Emily one of her least favorite people.

Emily watched with an estranged sense of satisfaction as Kimberly picked up the phone and dialed an extension number. Her bony fingers still worked the dial when a familiar voice sounded from a few feet away. “Is my over-anxious imagination playing tricks on me, or are you really here?”

“Of course I’m here,” she answered with a smile, turning to see her friend walking towards her. His smile was taking up most of his face, and she wasn’t sure if it was because she was there or because of the way Kimberly’s jaw had dropped almost to the keyboard, and her eyes were nearly popping out of her skull. Either way, it sent a jolt of thrills through her. “I received clear instructions to follow my urges. And I thought you could use a cup of decent coffee. I hear you’re very busy today.”

Her little dig at Kimberly made Taylor laugh out loud. “I am awfully busy, but for
you,
I’ll always make time.”

Both his words and the bear hug that followed made her giggly and blush just a little. Feeling safe in a man’s arms was unsettling, but there was no denying that Taylor’s arms were quickly becoming Emily’s safe and favorite place. A small bite of fear came over her that his words and actions were just for show, a kick-start to the ‘make Kim leave him alone’ plan.

As if he could sense her feelings, he brought his lips close to her ear, his stubble tickling her through her hair. “You have no idea how good it was to hear your voice from across the room,” he whispered, melting away her previous fear.

Emily’s eyes prickled as her smile changed from happy to ecstatic. “Ditto,” she whispered back into his ear.

Before letting her go, Taylor kissed the top of her head. She carefully placed the cup of coffee she’d bought him in his hands. Her giddy expression as his eyes drifted down to the short inscription written just above the sleeve was undeniable.

Deep down, Emily was still amazed at herself for behaving in a way that was so unlike her. As she watched him read the little note, all sorts of thoughts passed through Emily’s mind—none of them pleasant, and all created by her insecurities. Her worry that he might misinterpret her words vanished at the sight of the Cheshire cat smile forming on his lips.

His eyes met hers, a contented glint in them. Taylor lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip of the hot beverage. As he lowered the cup, his smile was still in place. “The best excuse of a coffee I’ve ever had.”

His words made her laugh. Locked in their bubble, they were completely unaware of the blond eyeing daggers at them from the wooden counter.

Taylor explained that he still had some last-minute details to work on with Marina, the photographer displaying her work, but that he wouldn’t take longer than a couple of hours. She assured him that she would be okay, as long as she had somewhere to sit and read. He directed her to an armchair. The seat had great natural light, which would be good for reading, and was also right in his view range, which was an added bonus.

During the next two hours Kimberly burned a hole in the back of Emily’s head. Pretending to be unaware of it, Emily simply continued to read her book. Every once in a while she would lift her eyes from her tablet and stare at Taylor. He looked incredibly competent, discussing things with the redhead photographer. On not so rare occasions, his eyes would meet hers, and they would trade smiles.

The sun had set and all of the employees, with the exception of Kimberly and Taylor, had left. Emily was completely engrossed in her reading when Taylor approached.

“Hey, I’m done. Come one, let’s go home before Bones is done with Marina and has a chance to piss us off some more.” His tone was half-joking but, joking or not, Emily wanted nothing more than to be on her way and enjoy her evening with Taylor. She quickly packed her device in her bag and followed him out onto the street.

“About those plans we had for tonight,” she said, adjusting the strap of her bag and putting her jacket back on.

As he did that morning he closed her zipper and adjusted the helmet on her head. “Yes.”

“I was thinking we could postpone them for next week and just relax on that delightful rug of yours. Maybe watch a movie or something.” Her voice was a little unsure. She knew that he had planned to take her out for dinner and didn’t want to disappoint him, but the only thing she wanted was to relax in comfy clothes and enjoy his company. After all, they would have a lot of excitement the next day.

“Everything you just said sounded perfect to me,” he agreed.

With a wide smile, she hopped on the bike and held on to him.

E
MILY STOOD
in front of the full-length mirror in Taylor’s guest bedroom, checking her appearance for the last time before leaving the room. Happiness and peace filled her heart.

Residual bliss of the previous night of movies and relaxation on Taylor’s couch still ran through her during her busy day of preparations for the upcoming event. As per his request, she’d spent the morning at the gallery. He was busy and they didn’t talk much, but just to hear his voice and occasionally exchange glances with him was enough to assure a heavenly mood. It didn’t take long for people to start talking or staring at them, wondering what was going on, and it didn’t bother Emily one bit.

After lunch she began her long process of pampering with a trip to the hairstylist and nail parlor. She hadn’t seen Taylor since lunch, and was a little anxious for him to see her all dolled up. Smoothing the fabric of her dress and collecting her clutch from the dresser, she walked out into the living room.

Taylor stood by the window, his face illuminated by the dimming light of the sunset. He looked flawless in his gray fitted suit and black dress shirt. He wasn’t wearing a tie and the first two buttons of shirt were open, showing just enough skin to make the assemble look effortlessly sexy.

Hearing the clicking of heels approaching, Taylor turned around to look at her. His smile was as breathtaking to her as the whole of her was to him. He took his time admiring her, committing every detail of her to memory.

The red abstract print on the black background of her dress, gave her an edgy look, while the shimmering of the satin made it look glamorous. The hem was several inches above her knees, showing off the creamy skin of her sculpted legs. The shortness of the skirt, however, was perfectly balanced by the very modest neckline. Very high, black, studded pumps and a small red clutch finished the look.

“Wow. You look . . .” He shook his head and let out a small puff of air through his smiling lips. He had no words that could possibly begin to describe her beauty. “Simply . . . wow.”