My voice broke as I realized what I had just admitted to him. My ultimate dream. Moving away. Supporting myself with the rental and truly trying to become an actress. Voicing that dream was scarier than I thought and my cheeks heated as a whole new kind of butterfly took flight in my stomach. I was utterly mortified. That was the sort of dream a child had—not a grown woman who had a full-time job, health insurance, and a RothIRA.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Taylor said, sneaking Maisey’s leash out of my hands and taking hold of thereigns.
“Youdo?”
“Absolutely. And not just because it’s a plan I could see myself fitting intonicely.”
I smacked his arm. “You said not to read into it and here you are moving into my dream withme!”
He laughed, tossing his head back as Maisey jumped on her hind legs, prancing around him. “All in due time,” he said with a wink. “Now… can you bide some time while I go take care of your Christmaspresent?”
I pushed onto my toes, kissing him quickly on the lips. “Yes. Any particular store I should steer clearof?”
He scanned the sidewalk, both on our side and across the street. “Why don’t you take the stores on this side first and I’ll start on that side of the street. Let’s meet back here in thirty minutes? We can then switch sides if we needto.”
I nodded. “Sounds like a plan, Mr.Wilson.”
I reached for the leash, but he snatched it away, holding it behind his back. “Nuh-uh. I’m takingMaisey.”
