“We need to go. Stop kissing me.”
“Stop looking so cute.” I usually saw her in suits or leggings and sweatshirts but today she wore a sundress and sandals. She looked so young and happy.
We were on our way to the bar when Taylor got a call.
Taylor shot me a regretful look. “Sorry, it’s my boss.”
“No problem.”
“Dean? Yeah?” She shot a concerned look at me. “I did but—I don’t think I want to move right now. What?” Excitement filled her eyes.
Why was she talking about moving? Had she reconsidered taking that position in Baltimore? Just the thought caused a pit to form in my stomach.
“That would be amazing. Thank you so much for letting me know. Have a good weekend.”
“What was that about?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even.
“Dean said that new prosecutor position opened up and he wanted to let me know so I could apply.” Her smile was huge. “Wouldn’t it be great if I got it?”
“The job in Baltimore?” I barely managed to choke out. I thought she was happy and content here with me. I’d finally planted roots here, buying a home and buying into the bar and now she was leaving? How could she even consider it?
Her eyes widened. “No, they opened a position here. New Orleans received a grant to create a new position similar to the one I wanted in Baltimore.”
Thank fuck. There was no way I could live across the country from her. Those few weeks away from her when she’d broken up with me was enough separation for a lifetime. “That’s great. I hope you get it.”
“Thanks. I still have to apply but Dean said he’d put in a good word for me. I think my department has a high turnover rate.”
“Yeah, no kidding.” I didn’t blame her for wanting to change jobs. She frequently came home upset about whatever file she was working on. She felt things too deeply to do that job day in and day out. And I couldn’t stand to see her upset. At this point, I’d circled several times and couldn’t get close to the bar due to traffic. “This can’t be because of the block party, is it?”
Checking her phone, Taylor said, “Hadley said there’s a huge turnout already.”
My frustration turned to elation. “That’s great news.” If this party was successful, we’d do more of them. Hopefully, it would increase business and encourage other businesses to come to the area.
“Oh my God. This is amazing,” she said, reading something on her phone as I finally found a spot to park.
“What?”
“Elise from Hot Heels Boutique posted about the party, stating she was scouting the area for a possible new location for her store.”
“Didn’t you talk to her when you went in to shop there?”
“Yeah, it was a while ago though. I didn’t think she’d actually follow through.”
“You’re amazing, babe.” I leaned over and kissed her before we got out and walked hand in hand, just enjoying the time together. Since she worked days and I worked nights, these few evenings we spent together were the best.
We stopped at Isaac’s make-shift bar on the sidewalk where Patrick and Isaac were serving drinks.
Hadley spotted us and said, “There you are!” She pulled Taylor away from me, talking a mile a minute.
“That one’s a firecracker.” Isaac had moved from behind the bar to stand next to us. “She’s been driving me nuts the last few weeks.”
“Yeah, I found Taylor annoying at first too and look how that worked out.”
He slapped my back. “Now you’re whipped, and I have you working for less pay.”
I received a percentage of the sales now that I was the owner versus a salary, which worked out better for me. It had allowed me to purchase the house and the car. I was getting closer to being the man Taylor deserved in her life. His words about being whipped didn’t even penetrate.
“You’re not worried she’s going to move back to Maryland?”
“Not unless she takes me with her.”
“Uh, you signed some specific papers that keep you here.”
“For now. Maybe we should think about expanding the bar. We could always open another location in Annapolis.” I’d make sure we traveled home to see her family often, so she didn’t feel like she was neglecting them. She’d recently mentioned some of her law school classmates were opening a law firm in Annapolis.
“Annapolis, huh? Would we serve crab cakes?”
“You’d have to in Annapolis.”
“We’ll see. Might not be a bad idea. But I’d need someone to manage this one so I could travel more.”
“I don’t think it would happen anytime soon. She’s applying for another job here. One I think she’ll love.”
“She’ll eventually want to move back and be closer to her family.”
I nodded. I knew that. Once her parents passed, she wouldn’t leave Caleb alone in Maryland. He was on the waitlist for housing there. It wasn’t easy to switch states and bring him here.
“You’ll figure it out.” The band set up on the corner where there was a small lot next to Omar’s store. “I’d better get inside. Once the band starts playing, people are going to want drinks.”
“I hope so.” I hoped it would be the biggest night in sales we ever had. I wanted this to be a success for Taylor and all the businesses on the street. Somehow, Hadley and Taylor managed to get an article in the paper about our street being an up and coming area. She literally accomplished everything she set out to do. With a reminder every now and then that she deserved to live a life separate from Caleb she’d be fine. Just like I’d be fine as long as I was with her.
Later that night, Taylor opened the door from the bathroom, the light illuminating her way through the dark bedroom. “I love this room. The balcony, the open windows.” We slept hot most nights
