“You did great today,” I tell Taylor as we stand outside the owner’s box and watch the people milling about in the stadium below, enjoying Bark in the Park and feeling a swell of pride for Taylor and her hard work.
She shrugs, downplaying the compliment. “The event staff did most of the work.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t sell yourself short. They couldn’t have done this without you.”
“It was fun. I enjoy this kind of thing.” She hooks her pinky with mine.
“I need to head out soon.” My flight to New York is in a couple hours. I packed this morning and will head to the private airstrip directly from the stadium. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”
When I mentioned going to New York originally, I hadn’t thought of taking Taylor with me, but now that it’s time to leave, I don’t want to leave her. Not right now when things are still so fresh. My fears that this was a momentary lapse in judgment andthat she’ll change her mind with some distance are hard to overcome.
She looks away and down to where her friends are gathered in a circle by the lunch station. “I need to stay here. Help the team break down and spend time with the girls this week.”
“Okay.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“A week. I have some meetings to attend and a family thing.”
I watch in real time as she tenses and shuts down at the mention of my family.
“Hopefully it goes okay.” She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Walk me to the office so we can say goodbye?” I ask hopefully.
“I should really get back down there and relieve Mary for lunch. I’ll see you when you get home though. Safe travels.” Taylor presses a kiss to my cheek then she’s gone. Weaving through the crowd inside playing with kittens and back out to the hallway that will take her downstairs to the stadium entrance.
Sighing, I follow her path, but instead of going back to the event, I take the elevator down to the tunnel connecting the clubhouse with the office building. When I get to the car, there’s a text waiting for me.
My Wife
Sorry for how I reacted. I hope you have a good time in New York.
ME
Will you be here when I get back
Please don’t run from me,baby.
My Wife
I’ll be here.
ME
Good. I’ll check in, but feel free to use my office while I’m gone.
My Wife
Safe travels.
I love you.
It’s getting harder and harder to not give her the words, but I’ve already broken my rules and given her my body. I don’t know that I’d survive telling her those three little words and her not saying them back.
G
Good morning, Stella.
