“What are you worried about?” I lean back on the tile and ignore how cold I am while she takes all the hot water. Being physically uncomfortable is a bit of a peaceful place for my brain.
“That this is too good to be true.”
I don’t have that worry at all. “It’s good because it’s true.” I kiss the top of her head, getting splashed in the face. “Am I suffocating you though? I feel like I’m being too much.”
“You’d think that but no.” She washes her beautiful body with soap while I watch. “It felt like I was walking around with a limb missing yesterday when you left to go wherever you went all day.”
If she’s fishing to find out where I was, I’m not about to take the bait. Saying I went out and bought an engagement ring will make me sound crazy. “Iknow the feeling. You’ll get used to it.”
Her brow pinches. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve walked around with my heart missing for most of my life, Taylor.” When I see she doesn’t understand me, I add. “I left it with you a long time ago. Never got it back. Never wanted it back either.”
The air in the shower seems stifling.
“So yeah,” I clear my throat. “Walking around with a missing piece takes some getting used to.”
“Does it still feel that way, Conner?”
“Yes. I still feel like my heart is gone.” I’m not going to lie. “But it’s nice to come home to it now.”
What a great transition to discuss living together, but that’s not coming anytime soon either. She’ll say we’re rushing things.
Taylor kind of slows down, as if she’s thinking way too fast and forgot her body is attached to her brain. “Move in with me.”
“What?”
“Move in with me, Con.”
She has no idea how badly I want to say yes to that. “Aren’t we going too fast?”
“Are we even moving fast enough?” she counters. “Honestly Conner, what are we even waiting for?”
She’s right. It’s time to put things on a better speed now that we’re together and never ever breaking apart. However, I still have shit to figure out on my end of life.
“How about we get through the Blossom Festival first then we can discuss it.” The lease on my apartment is up for renewal in a few months. That’s a decent timeline to get our ducks in line. Maybe. Hopefully.
Except all my ducks have no clue what they’re doing for work and they’re not in a line, they’re planning a mutiny and—
“There it is,” she points at me. “There’s the look that has me so worried, Con. What’s going on with you?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
She gets mad and turns off the water, leaving me cold and half soaked.
“Taylor, wait.”
She’s out of the bathroom before I can grab a towel and go after her.Damnit.
“Taylor!”
“I want the truth.” My girl spins on her heels and jabs me in the chest with her finger. “Tell me what you’re worried about.”
“I did. I’m scared I’m too much and I’ll annoy you.”
“Of course you’ll annoy me. You always annoy me. It’s what you do.” She crosses her arms. “That’s not what has you all flustered up here.” She pokes my forehead. “Ifeelit, Conner. I feel your worries and your fears, and you don’t have to believe me when I say that, but have I ever been wrong? In all the years you’ve known me, have I ever been wrong about knowing when there’s something deeper going on with you?”
No. Never.
