Chapter 60
Taylor’s POV
+25 Bonus
The night air tastes like rain even though the sky is clear.i stand outside the café the streetlight spilling over the sidewalk in fractured gold.Liam’s voice still echoes in my head low and careful.
“i know you have been through a lot Taylor.but i like you. i would like to take you out properly when youre ready.”
there is kindness in his eyes and something else patience.i want to meet him halfway to be that kind of woman who says yes without flinching.but my chest feels too tight.My heart, too loud.
“your a great guy Liam. Really.but im… not ready for that.”
his smile barely wavers but disappointment flickers across his face like a shadow passing through sunlight. ” then ill wait.”
and just like that hes gone walking down the quiet street the sound of his footsteps fading into the hum of the city.i exhale slowly watching him go.hes everything i should want:kind steady,safe.
then my phone buzzes.
Aiden.
One word on the screen. Just his name, and still, my pulse stumbles.i dont even open the message.i dont have to. The reaction comes before thought. my breath catches sharp and involuntary.
“why is it always him?” I whisper.
the words vanish into the night.
a few hours later im curled up on Kiera’s couch.shes barefoot hair thrown into a messy bun a glass of wine in hand.a movie hums quietly in the background forgotten halfway through.
the scent of buttered popcorn and vanilla candles fills the room warm but heavy like its trying to comfort me against my will.
i lean back exhaustion pooling in my bones.its been a long day too many thoughts too many people wanting
something from me.Kiera must sense it because she sets her glass down and eyes me over her knee.
((
youre quiet tonight,” she says.
“Just tired.”
How was your date with Liam? it was great actually but….But what? Keira ask
It just didn’t work out, I’m ready yet
That’s okay atleast you tried but don’t stop getting back out there I will
She hums, unconvinced. “You really look tired. You’ve got that face.”
“What face?”
1/2
Chapter 60
+25 Bonus
“the one you make when youre trying to look fine but your soul is melting.”
a laugh slips out before i can stop it. ” thats oddly specific.”
“I’ve known you too long.” Her tone softens, but she keeps watching me. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”
I stare down at my cup. The tea’s gone cold. I swirl it anyway, the spoon clinking against porcelain. “You ever say something you weren’t supposed to? And the second it’s out, you wish you could rewind time?”
Kiera raises a brow. “Every day of my life.”
I take a slow breath.my throat feels tight. ” i told someone something i shouldnt have.”
Her voice lowers. “How bad are we talking?”
My gaze flicks toward the window. City lights blur against the glass. “you know that girl everyone’s been talking about the one the media keeps calling Aiden’s mystery woman?”
she nods frowning. “Yeah. The internet’s obsessed. Why?”
I swallow hard. “It’s me.”
For a beat, everything stops. The background music. The soft ticking of the clock. Even Kiera freezes, her mouth slightly open, eyes wide.
“What?” she finally breathes.
i force a weak smile but it feels brittle. “Yeah. Surprise.”
the silence stretches so long it starts to hum in my ears.then Kiera shoots up from the couch. “Wait—you’re serious? You’re the girl? Taylor are you actually telling me you have been hiding that from me this whole time?”
“i didnt want you to get dragged into it.”
she stares at me like she’s trying to process a foreign language. “Dragged into it? Do you realize what this means?everyone been dying to know who she is and its you!”
her voice rises caught between disbelief and exasperation.she starts pacing her hands flying as she talks. “ Taylor, this is huge! You’ve been living inside a media storm and didn’t say anything? Do you even realize—”
“i didnt ask for any of this,” i cut in sharper than i mean to.” she stops turning to face me.
((
‘what do you mean?”
i look down at my hands.the skin along my knuckles is tight pale. “It was a deal. That’s all.”
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