"Good," I say softly. "That's what matters."
Silence stretches again, but this time it's comfortable.
She fiddles absently with the strap of her bag while I drum my fingers against the wheel.
"So... six massive hockey guys marching me into Campus Safety like I was under presidential protection? Gotta admit, that was a sight." She jokes and she lets out a little laugh.
I laugh, shaking my head. "Yeah, you definitely looked like you were walking in with your own personal Secret Service detail. Pretty sure the officers didn't know whether to salute or shit their pants."
That gets her laughing again.
Taylor checks the time on her phone—10:26 a.m.—then slips it back into her bag. She gives me a quick glance. "I should go. Still need to get ready for my next class in an hour."
I nod with a small smile, but before she can reach for the passenger door, the words tumble out. "Oh—wait. Uh... I actually wanted to tell you something. It's kind of important."
She eases back into her seat, "What is it?"
"So, uh..." My fingers drag along my jaw like I'm trying to scratch off nerves that won't quit. My lips press into a thin line as I stare down at the steering wheel like it's suddenly the most fascinating thing on Earth. "Not sure this is the right time to say it, but... I hope you'll understand."
"Okay?" she says slowly, leaning a little toward me. "Go on."
I swallow, pulse kicking, words tangling in my throat. "Well, I know we never really specified how long our deal was supposed to last—like, the timeline or whatever. But ever since Caroline came back... it's like—I don't know—it feels like it's my do-over. And I'd be an idiot to mess it up. Which means..." I trail off, exhaling.
"You want to end our arrangement, is that it?" Taylor says, cutting me off.
She doesn't sound upset—just chirpy, like she's pointing out something obvious.
My head snaps toward her so fast it's a miracle I don't get whiplash. I bob my head up and down, frantic, like one of those dashboard bobblehead dolls you can't turn off.
Taylor chuckles, shaking her head at me, amused rather than bothered.
"I can't keep showing people that we're a thing—or keeping up the act that there's, uh... something between us—if I want Caroline to even consider giving me another shot." I tell her, "I need to show her exactly where I stand. I don't ever want to give her another reason to doubt me because I already have enough to make up for to last a lifetime."
Taylor's lips twitch. "Knew that was coming."
I give her an apologetic smile. "I'm so—"
"Stop." She cuts me off with a raised finger. "Don't finish that sentence, Zach. Totally unnecessary."
Then she laughs, light and chirpy. "You really thought I was gonna be upset about that?"
"I mean... maybe a little?" I admit, dragging a hand down my face.
She shakes her head, smirking. "Not even close. We both knew what this was from the start—purely transactional. Just selling an act in public so people we didn't like stayed out of our business. Basically our own PG-13 version of friends with benefits." Her grin widens.
"Except, you know... without the benefits. Which is honestly the worst bargain ever, now that I think about it."
I can't help but chuckle. That's Taylor—sharp and funny.
She cocks her head, studying me. "Besides, I knew our deal was toast the second time I met her."
My brows knit. "What do you mean?"
"You looked at Caroline like she was fresh oxygen after being underwater too long. Like Christmas morning just walked into the room. And I thought, yep—this man is cooked." She winks. "Totally whipped. Kidding. Well... mostly."
Heat creeps up my neck. "Really? Was I that transparent?"
Taylor laughs. "When it comes to her? Yeah. You're the most transparent person alive. You could try to play it cool, but your eyes give you away every single time."
