Thelowlightsofthe fancy restaurant match the brimming light in Taysom’s eyes. “Is this technically our second date?” I ask him, the events of the day swirling in my belly.
I nibble on a small piece of bread. “Piece of bread” is not the right descriptor. More like a luxury snack of edible velvet with a whipped basil butter that is as soft as cotton candy.
He stares at my mouth, a flash of delight knocking me off kilter.Taysom Reed is affected by my mouth.
It’s hot. As is the way he looks tonight, in his crisp, white, long-sleeved shirt, green tie with tiny blue polka-dots (I call it his Wolves tie) and grey slacks.
“I would say so,” he says. “Want to go out on our third tomorrow night?”
“We’ve just started this one and you’re already thinking of the next one?”
“I’ve been thinking of our third date way before we went on our first one.” He pauses. “Wait. Was sushi our first date? Maybe this is our third one already.”
“Wanna go on a fourth a little later?” I ask, smiling. We’ve been texting all day and he was as excited as I am about the success of the fundraiser and the new job offer. He told me he has news, as well. I’ve been a worry wart ever since, but I’m grasping for patience. He’ll tell me his news when he’s ready.
He’s definitely stewing over something, even though he’s trying hard not to let it show.
“So, when will you get to go back to work?” he asks before taking a slice of the bread.
“There’s a whole rehiring process that has to happen, and before that, they need to secure the funds and it all has to go through a review of some kind, so I don’t know. But Ron’s hoping I can come get set up in the new space within a couple weeks, he said. And then hopefully we can start treating clients a week or two after that, depending on the state’s approval and all that.”
“Will you get MJ back?”
I squeeze my fists together. “I really hope so. We’d set her up with another clinic, of course, but as soon as I can publicly announce the reopening, I’ll reach out to Lynette, her mom.”
“So, what’s going to happen to the Crest building?”
I sigh. “It’s devastating to me, but they’re getting rid of it. They’ll level it and then build something new. Not for our department, I’m pretty sure.” I click my tongue. “It’s probably going to be an extension of the Sports Medicine Institute.” My smile stretches across my face.
“Nope. Have you been in that building? It’s way too massive as it is!”
Ha! He’s repeating my very own sentiment.
“Iseemto remember going in there, yes.” I tap my mouth, teasing him.
I definitely remember the frisson between us there. From the look on his face, so does he.
“Hey, like I said, I need to tell you something.”
My chest seizes. “I hate those words.”
“No, it’s okay.” He grows solemn. “But I think I’m going to accept an offer to start for the Washington Commanders.”
My already pounding heart stutter stops. “You’re leaving the Wolves?”
He nods. “It’s time. I’d rather be proactive in securing something I want than wait for the chips to fall.”
I sip my drink. “That’s wise. I…I’m excited for you.”
He grasps my hand on the table. “Are you? Because I dread living so far away from you.” He blinks and stares at our entwined fingers. “I’m thrilled about the center reopening, but I’m going to miss you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and breathe. “I can’t even think about us being that far apart.”
Grasping my hand tighter, he nudges it so that I meet his gaze. “We can still make this work.”
“I really don’t want things to end, Taysom. I don’t even exactly know what we are or what to call us, I just know I want to be with you constantly.” I bite my bottom lip, my gaze willing him to understand how much I care about him.
How much I love him.
