“Really?” For some reason it surprised her to hear it. Of course she knew that what she’d had with Bradley paled in comparison to how Nick made her feel, but it was startling to know that others could see it too.
“Take it from someone who watched you two constantly,” Jessica said wryly. “He was obsessed with you, but you were only…” She stopped.
“What? Come on, remember what I said about tough love? I can take it.”
“It was a bit like watching an eclipse,” Jess said. “Like you two were sort of really great together for a split second, but you’re the sun, and you needed someone who could enhance your light, not try to block it.”
“Wow,” Taylor said, a little awed. “I’m guessing you’re a writer beyond copywriting, huh?”
Jess smiled. “I dabble in fiction. I mean, I’m not nearly as good as Nick, but I write short stories and stuff.”
“Okay, so since you know both guys, what’s Nick in your Taylor-is-the-sun scenario?”
“A prism,” Jess said without hesitation. “He takes your light and makes it even more awesome, for everyone to see.”
“Damn.” Taylor lifted her glass in a toast. “You’re good at this poetry stuff.”
“I know.” Jess looked down at her wine, swirled it around a bit. “I have another question, totally not my business.”
“We’ve slept with the same guy, practically back to back. I vote we get all up in each other’s business,” Taylor said.
“All right,” Jess said. “Does Nick know you’re in love with him?”
Taylor went still. “Okay, maybe not that up in each other’s business.”
“So that’s a no,” Jess said with a kind smile. “Are you going to tell him?”
Taylor swallowed and finally gave in to the strange mixture of panic and joy that had been consuming her all week.
She couldn’t tell him. Her feelings felt too big to express. And even if she could…
There was something else she needed to tell him first.
Chapter 28
Nick had made a big deal of telling Taylor that he’d hoped to get standby on an earlier flight but hadn’t been able to and would be home late.
And then he’d gone radio silent for hours, which told Taylor exactly what she needed to know.
He was getting home earlier.
Boys were so bad at surprises.
She was rummaging through her dresser trying to decide on the best welcome-home lingerie when there was a knock at the door.
Twinkie went crazy, her frantic bark echoing off the hardwood floors.
Taylor’s nose wrinkled at the unexpected intrusion. Too soon to be Nick, and he had a key.
But last time she’d gotten a surprise visitor it had involved a baby. And much as Taylor had been surprised by her affection for little Hannah, her mother was another story.
If Kelsey was on the other side of the door, Taylor had some very choice words for the woman who’d let Nick think the baby was his for months.
She stomped to the door and stroked Twinkie’s head, then checked the peephole.
She sucked in an irritated breath. So not in the mood.
Taylor let out a weary sigh and opened the door. “Hi, Bradley.”
Twinkie launched herself lovingly at Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, who looked…gorgeous.
If he was torn up over Jess dumping him, it didn’t show. His light blue sweater perfectly matched his eyes, and the dark jeans perfectly showed off his fit frame. He’d had a haircut recently, and his dimples were in full play. He looked more preppy and clean-cut than ever.
God, he’s boring.
“You got a dog?” Bradley said with a laugh, bending down to pet an adoring Twinkie.
Enjoy the infatuation while it lasts, dog. He’ll show his true colors soon enough.
“Can I come in?” he asked, giving Twinkie one last pat and standing up.
Taylor stepped aside so he could enter. “How’d you get up here?”
“My name’s still in their system. I was supposed to live here, after all.”
He said it teasingly, but she wasn’t amused.
“Oh, I remember,” she said sharply. “I also remember arriving on move-in day to a letter.”
His smile dimmed. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am about that.”
“Whatever,” she muttered. “What’s up?”
Twinkie wasn’t yet done worshiping Bradley—she brought out the carcass of her cow toy and draped it lovingly across Bradley’s shoe as a gift.
He slid his foot out from under the mangled toy and wandered around the apartment, taking in the huge television and the dog toys that were literally everywhere. “It’s different than what we talked about.”
“Well, yeah,” she said. “That’s what happens when your living situation changes unexpectedly.”
Bradley glanced pointedly toward Nick’s open door. “That Ballantine’s bedroom?”
The petty part of her wanted to tell Bradley that these days it was merely Nick’s office, because his bedroom was the same as hers.
He wasn’t worth the time to explain. She shrugged. “Yup.”
“He here?”
“Yes, Bradley. I stuffed him in the closet.”
“Weird rumors going around about you two.”
He gave her a look, clearly waiting—hoping—that she’d assure him that they were merely rumors.
She refused to satisfy his curiosity. “Bradley, why are you here?”
He met her gaze straight on. “I miss you.”
“Because Jess dumped you?”
He winced. “It was mutual.”
Taylor refrained from snorting. Barely. “Regardless of your situation with Jessica, I’ve moved on.”
“You’re still mad.”
“No, Bradley,” she said tiredly. “Frankly, I quit being mad and sad a long time ago.”
“Good,” he said with a smile. “Then it should be easy to remind you of all the reasons we were so good together.”
She stepped back as he approached. “You’re not listening to me.”
You never listened to me.
The thought came out of nowhere, but once it was there, she realized how true it was. She and Bradley had never been in the relationship as equals. He’d been both insecure and slightly controlling.
Jessica had been only half right. Bradley had been trying to block Taylor’s light, but he’d also fed off it. Used it for his own purposes, until he’d gotten too close and gotten burned, because she was too much for him.
Not like Nick. Nick matched her in every way, made her better.
And that was real love.
“We just hit a bad patch, Tay. I stupidly thought a placid life with a peaceful woman would make me happy, but I’d much rather have a challenge.”
“A challenge?” she said with a laugh. “I’m not a trophy to be earned, Bradley.”
“I know that. But Ballantine? Really? The guy’s a part-time bartender, a wannabe writer…”
“Stop,” she said, unable to keep the disgust out of her voice. “Just stop it.”
Bradley closed the space between them, his arms going around her. “I want another chance, Taylor. I won’t stop fighting for you.”
She bit back a sigh. This was just pathetic. And a lot annoying.
Taylor had two choices. She could try to explain to this dense oaf all the many reasons why they wouldn’t get back together.
Or…
She could just throw out one big one.
Taylor put her hand on his chest as she prepared to drop the bomb on him. “Bradley?” she purred.
His eyes flared in victory. “Yeah?”