My heart lodged in my throat as I stood near the entrance, observing the line. And I felt all the air leave my body as I got my first look athim.
Please make it make sense.
Standing next to Taylor’s mother was Tate. DefinitelymyTate. The lost-love-of-my-life Tate. The man I could never get over, the man who still lived in my dreams, was Taylor’s father.
He hadn’t noticed me yet. There was still time to run. But how would I explain that to Taylor? Didn’t matter. I could worry about that later. For now, I needed to leave. But as much as I wanted to flee, my legs were frozen inplace. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Tate shook hands with person after person as he nodded and thanked them for coming. When he flashed his beautiful smile, it hurt my heart.
Stop looking at him. You need to leave!
But just as I turned to make my exit, I heard my name.
“Blair!” Taylor shouted.
I pivoted slowly and looked up to find him waving me over. With a lump in my throat, I stepped toward them.
Everything thereafter seemed to happen in slow motion.
Tate’s eyes widened, and the color drained from his face the moment he finally noticed me.
This was not the reunion I’d imagined in my dreams. Far from it.
This was a nightmare I’d never imagined possible.
Chapter 18
TATE
What’s happening?
What…the fuck…is happening?
That was all I could think as she walked toward me.
Blair.
Lord knows I’d blinked enough times to know I wasn’t hallucinating.
After Taylor had called that name, I’d felt a shot of adrenaline zap through my body. And once I realized it was my Blair? I had no words. Everything about this day changed. Everything about mylifehad changed.
How the hell does she know Taylor?
Before I had a chance to consider anything, she stood before me, a look of warning in her eyes. I knew what she was telling me. Even without understanding how on earth we’d gotten here, she and I were on the same page:Taylor can’t fucking know about us.
I put on the fakest smile I’d ever conjured as my son proceeded to introduce me to the one woman who needed no introduction in my life.
“Dad, this is Blair Moynihan. She’s one of my best friends.”
Moynihan.
That’s one thing I’d wished I’d had all these years—her last name. Knowing it might’ve changed everything. Knowing it would’ve meant I could’ve found her again.
Blair Moynihan.
I offered my hand. “Very nice to meet you, Blair.” My eyes burned into hers.
When she gave me her hand, I felt it shaking. I squeezed, a silent reassurance that despite whatever was happening now, it was going to be okay. It had to be. I needed to believe that for my own sanity. I needed her to believe it, too.
She cleared her throat. “It’s nice to finally meet Taylor’s father.”
