by Lydia Rose
“Thank you for the dance. I’ll walk you back to the table,” Jessica said standing next to Taylor. As they reached the table, they found it empty. Jessica pulled out the chair for Taylor and took the seat next to her. “I’ll stay with you until your friends return.”
Taylor couldn’t help but chuckle. “Are you trying to keep other women from asking me to dance?” The blush on Jessica’s face said it all and she laughed again.
“Taylor, I want you to know how sorry I am.” She saw Taylor’s body tense knowing she didn’t want to have this conversation, but she wasn’t going to stop until the words were said. “I should have been honest with you about Robin and explained that I have a hard time telling her no. I asked her to leave and never return.” Jessica let out a sigh. “I know I did it too late. I never should have let her in the door. By letting her walk through that door, I hurt the most important person in life. Nothing happened.” Jessica waited for a comment. When Taylor didn’t say anything, she continued, “I know I don’t deserve another chance.” Jessica’s head lowered. “I love you, Taylor. Even if you never take me back, I will love you for the rest of my life.” Jessica sat up. “Well, I’ve said my piece and I will continue to give you the space you’ve asked for.” Her chair scraped against the floor as Jessica pushed the chair back.
Taylor reached for her hand and looked into the sad soft brown eyes. “Don’t go,” she said loud enough for Jessica to hear and with a nod of her head she took her seat again. No longer caring if she was making a mistake, she took Jessica’s hand and pulled it into her lap.
It wasn’t long before Taylor’s friends returned to the table. “Well, well, well,” Kay said taking her seat. “This is a surprise. How are you, Jess?”
“Better thanks,” she answered smiling.
Julia noticed Jessica’s hand in Taylor’s lap and smiled at the pair.
“Where’s Monica?” Taylor asked.
Kay nodded with her head. “Still dancing. It’s as if the woman hasn’t danced in years.”
“Someone should tell Ted to take her out more often,” Julia said with a nod. “That woman is trying to crawl inside Monica’s skin.”
Everyone at the table turned and looked at the dance floor. “Oh my,” Taylor said touching her face. “Should we go out there?”
“No,” Kay said quickly. “She isn’t drunk and if she wants help, she’ll let us know.”
Taylor and Jessica shared a look and then laughed. “Would you like to dance again?”
“Of course.” Jessica stood up and held out her hand to Taylor.
This time there was no distance between the two women’s bodies. Jessica had her arm wrapped around Taylor’s waist and together they moved to a rhythm that only their bodies knew. Barely moving, Jessica’s lips were near Taylor’s ear. Taking a deep breath, she whispered, “I love you so much, Taylor.”
Taylor’s head leaned back and she stared open mouth. Wanting to say the words that were so near, but her fear of being hurt again kept them from leaving her mouth.
“I don’t expect you to say anything, Taylor. All I’m asking for is a chance to make it up to you.” She felt her body being pulled closer to Taylor’s body and they continued their dance. “One day at a time, Taylor.”
“One day at a time,” Taylor repeated. As they danced Taylor wondered what she was doing. How could she trust Jessica again, but something inside her told her she could.
When the women were ready to leave the club, Jessica walked them to the car. The other women bid her good night before disappearing into the car. “May I call you?”
Taylor looked at Jessica not showing any sign of agreeing. “Not today,” she said with a wink.
Jessica watched as Kay pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the road. Once the car was out of her view, she jumped in the air with a cheer and walked to her car.
*
“So, are you two back together?” Kay asked glancing to her right in the car going home.
“No.”
“You looked real cozy tonight with Jess out on the dance floor.”
A snicker came from the back seat. “I saw you three dancing with women. Are any of you going to see those women again?”
“Geez, Taylor,” Kay said. “I thought you two looked good together. You don’t have to chew our heads off.”
“Sorry,” Taylor mumbled. “It’s complicated. Okay?” As the words left her mouth, she heard the subtle chime from her purse.
“Well, I for one,” Monica said, “hope you two get back together. I like her.”
The moment Taylor was in the privacy of her own apartment she pulled out her phone to read the text. I had a great time tonight. Thank you, Jess. She now sat with the phone in her lap wondering whether she should acknowledge Jessica’s text. I had a good time too. Those thoughts stayed in Taylor’s mind. Spending time with Jessica began to heal the crack in her heart that occurred when they broke up. Leaving her phone in the living room, she went to bed without answering the text.
CHAPTER 27
The morning came much too quickly for Taylor and she looked over at the clock that sat on the night table. “Oh,” she said stretching out the word as she stretched her body. Throwing the covers back she pulled on her robe and went into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. Standing in the kitchen doorway nursing her coffee, her phone chimed. Hurrying to the phone she read the text. Would you have dinner with me tonight? Just two people sharing a meal without pressure. Taylor knew this time she couldn’t be rude and ignore Jessica’s text, but did she want to have dinner with her? Taylor finished her coffee before picking up the phone again. “How about lunch instead?” She quickly sent off the text before she changed her mind. The answer was quick and simple. Yes. Taylor began typing. “Mai Ling’s 1.” I’ll be there, came Jessica’s response. She ran for the shower.
It was just after one when she walked into the restaurant. Not seeing Jessica in the lobby, she walked over to the hostess. “I’m meeting my friend for lunch,” she said.
“Taylor?” the Chinese woman asked.
“Yes.”
The woman smiled. “Your party is right this way.” She led Taylor to Jessica’s table.
The moment Jessica saw Taylor walking toward her, she stood up. Not expecting a hug or kiss, nevertheless she felt her heart beating rapidly. “Hello, Taylor.”
“Jess,” Taylor said before taking her seat. Afraid to look at Jessica, she picked up the menu and began to peruse the selections. In the past when she and Jessica had come here, they shared food. “Do you know what you want?” Taylor asked without looking at the blond sitting next to her.
“Do you want to share what we usually have?” Jessica asked cautiously.
“Fine,” Taylor answered and closed the menu.
Jessica now poured Taylor a cup of tea as the waitress approached. “Are you ready to order?”
“Yes. We will have the pork lo mein, two egg rolls and the small spare ribs.”
“Any soup?” the waitress asked.
“Taylor?” Jessica asked.
“I’ll have the egg drop.”
“Sweet and sour for me.”
Once the waitress disappeared into the kitchen the table became uncomfortably quiet. Their soup was delivered to the table and they both reached for the fried noodles at the same time. “Go ahead,” Taylor offered waving her hand. She watched Jessica take a few noodles and break them up into her soup. Jessica moved the bowl toward her. “Thank you.” The only noise was spoons hitting the bowl. Taylor finally couldn’t take it anymore and put her spoon down.
“Don’t you like your soup?”
“The soup is fine, but we aren’t. I hate sitting here with you and neither one of us knows what to say.”
Jessica let out the breath she had been holding. “I was worried you were going to say something else.” Her hand went to her heart as if she could slow her heart down.
“What did you think I was going to say?” Taylor asked looking at her.
“I thought you were going to say you hated this and you couldn’t do it anymore.”
“Oh,” she said softly. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your text last night.” Taylor pushed her soup bowl away from her. “I had a great time too.” When her eyes met Jessica’s, she saw the woman smiling at her. “How have you been?”
“Miserable. You?”
Jessica smiled. “The same. Thank you for agreeing to have lunch with me.”
Their meal was delivered to the table and they took bites in between a quiet conversation. They weren’t back to the way they were before, but at least they found things to talk about.
Pushing her plate away, Jessica said, “If you have to leave, I’ll get the check.”
“I’m not in a hurry,” Taylor answered looking at Jessica questioningly.
“I just thought that since you didn’t want to have dinner with me that you had something else planned for this evening,” Jessica explained, not meeting Taylor’s gaze that she knew was there without looking at her.
“No,” Taylor let out a stifled breath. “I didn’t know how this would go.” She motioned with her hand back and forth between them.
“How is it going?” Jessica asked with a grin.
Taylor returned her grin. “Pretty good.” She turned in her seat. “What do you think?”
Jessica gave Taylor her best smile. “Wonderful.”
“Can I get you anything else?” the waitress asked as she collected the empty plates.
“Just the check, please,” Taylor answered never taking her eyes off of Jessica. When they were alone again, she asked, “How about a walk in the park? I think I need to walk this food off.”
The bill was paid and they left the restaurant standing close together. Both women wanted to reach for the other’s hand, but neither had the courage to make the move. Driving in separate cars to the park, they chose parking spaces and got out of their cars.
“Lead the way,” Jessica said holding out her hand for Taylor to choose their path into the park. They walked toward the pond.
“There is a path that goes around the pond. Are you up for that?” Taylor asked already moving to the gravel path.
“Of course.”
Walking along enjoying the day, the conversation settled into a comfortable silence. Unable to stop herself, Jessica reached for Taylor’s hand and held it gently waiting to see if her gesture would be rebuffed. When Taylor threaded their fingers together, they both walked with a bounce in their steps.
“Thanks for suggesting this,” Jessica said. “It has been a long time since I’ve been here.”
“Me too. Sometimes it’s nice to just slow down and enjoy the view,” she said with her eyes on Jessica’s.
Jessica slowed her movements and looked at Taylor. “Yes, it is.” Her smile carried her the rest of the way around the pond.
After their walk, they took a seat on a bench. Taylor laid her head back and allowed the bright sun warm her skin. “I can’t believe how warm it is for October,” she said with her head still thrown back.
“This is my favorite time of the year,” Jessica said sliding her leg onto the bench and faced Taylor.
Taylor lowered her head and looked at the blond. “Me too.”
“Can we do this again, Taylor?” Jessica asked cautiously. She felt she was still on soft ground and she didn’t want to jeopardize being back with Taylor.
“I’d like that,” she answered taking Jessica’s hand again.
“Would you like to do something tomorrow?” Jessica asked hopefully.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve already got plans,” Taylor answered forcing her hand to not touch Jessica.
Jessica lowered her head. “I understand,” she said and then added, “I hope she treats you well.”
Taylor chuckled. “I’m not dating anyone. My sister just had a baby on Friday. I’m flying down to Florida to see the baby and spend time with the family.”
“I didn’t know your sister and parents lived in Florida,” Jessica said surprised. She thought she had known everything about Taylor, but even she kept some things close to the vest.
“My dad hates the cold. They moved down there five years ago. My brother-in-law worked with my dad. They opened an office down there together.”
“I’m sure the weather will be nicer down there than here.”
“I hope so,” she said smiling.
“Are you there all week?” Jessica asked casually.
“No, I’ll be back Thursday.” Taylor paused. “Would you like to have dinner Friday night?”
“Yes,” Jessica answered quickly which caused Taylor to laugh again.
CHAPTER 28
Taylor landed in Florida late Sunday morning. She had spent more time in the terminal in New Jersey then she had in the air getting down here. She saw her father waiting and hurried to him with her carry-on. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, sweetie. It is so good to see you,” he said pulling her into a hug. “Karen is doing great and the baby is beautiful.” He tried to take her suitcase.
“I’ve got it, Dad. It has wheels so it’s no big deal.”
“How long are you staying?”
“I leave Thursday morning.”
“Well, your mother will be happy for the time you’re here.” He leaned closer to her. “Me too, and your sister is so happy that you came down.”
“I wouldn’t miss seeing my niece, Dad,” she said smiling. “Are we going straight to the hospital?”
“Yep.”
Walking into Karen’s room she noticed her sister was sound asleep and her mother was reading a book sitting in a chair near the bed. “Hi, Mom,” Taylor whispered next to her mother’s ear.
“Taylor,” her mother practically screamed which opened Karen’s eyes. Her mother pulled her into a hug before she could greet her sister. “We’re so happy that you could come down.”
“Hey, sis,” Taylor said walking over to her sister. “How do you feel?” she asked taking her sister’s hands in her own.
“Tired.” Karen ran her hand across Taylor’s cheek. “You look good, Tay.”
“Where is Chad?” Taylor asked.
“At the office,” her father answered and shrugged when he noticed the glare on Karen’s face. “He wanted to take care of a few things since he is taking off next week.”
“Does my niece have a name yet?” Taylor asked sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Rose after Chad’s grandmother.” Karen now smiled. “Rose Taylor Carter.”
“Her middle name is Taylor?” she asked shocked and felt the tears sting her eyes.
“Of course, I want her to have part of her Godmother and aunt’s name.”
Taylor leaned over Karen and buried her head in her chest. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Taylor.” Karen turned and looked at her parents who were teary-eyed holding onto each other. Taylor’s phone announced a text. “Don’t tell me that work can’t do without you for a few days too?”
“I don’t know.” Taylor looked at her phone and smiled before she put the phone back in her pocket.
Karen raised an eyebrow and grinned. “And who was that?”
“Uh,” Taylor stuttered.
“Who is she?” Karen asked holding onto Taylor’s arm.
“It’s Jess.” She began to blush. “She wanted to make sure I got down here okay.”
“Well, don’t keep her waiting. Text her,” Karen said waving her hand.
As Taylor began to return the text, her mother asked, “I thought you two broke up?”
“I saw her Saturday.”
“I thought she went back to her ex,” Andrea Jamison asked.
“No. It was a misunderstanding,” Taylor mumbled out and put away her phone.
“You jumped to conclusions and broke up with her. Didn’t you?” Andrea asked and now Taylor shrugged. Her head shook back and forth. “Now you are going to give her another chance?”
“Mom,” Taylor groaned.<
br />
“Don’t tease her, Mom. All we ever wanted was for Taylor to be happy. If Jessica can do that, I’m happy for her,” Karen said with a wink.
“We both made mistakes and we’re going to try again,” she said softly, then added, “or I hope we are.” Taylor raised her head and looked at her sister. “When am I going to be able to see my niece?”
“Come on, Taylor, I’ll take you to the nursery,” her father said already walking toward the door.
Before Taylor left the room, she said, “Don’t discuss my love life while I’m gone.”
“You wish you had a love life,” Karen said waving her hand at her sister.
Taylor and her dad stood at the nursery window both holding each other as they looked at the baby. “She’s beautiful,” Taylor said wiping at her eyes.
“She is,” Sam Jamison answered also wiping his eyes. “I hope someday you have this, Taylor.”
Taylor laughed. “Dad, I’m forty years old. I think my time has passed.”
“How old is Jessica?” he asked facing her.
“Thirty-two. Why?” Taylor took her eyes off the baby and looked at her father. “You’re funny, Dad. I can’t keep our relationship going and you think Jess and I will have children.”
“Do you love her?” Sam asked.
Taylor’s gaze returned to the nursery window. Did she? She thought so, but then the breakup occurred. Did she still love Jess? Jessica’s smiling face passed through her thoughts. “Yes,” Taylor answered honestly.
“So, it is still a possibility.” Sam put his arm around his daughter. “Don’t give up on dreams because dreams are all we have.” He dropped his arm. “Why don’t you call that gal of yours and tell her you miss her.” He walked away leaving Taylor alone.
*
“Hi, Taylor,” Jessica said when she saw Taylor’s name on the screen.
“Hi. I made it to Florida and am now staring at my beautiful niece’s face.”
“What’s her name?”
“Rose Taylor Carter,” Taylor answered biting her lip to keep from crying.
“Oh, Taylor. That’s wonderful.”
The baby opened her eyes. “Oh, Jess. She has my eyes. Well, they are her mother’s eyes too.”
