“Scared?”
Standing, I laced my fingers through my hair. “I need to head up and help Walker get ready for tomorrow.”
“Hey, Jase?”
Turning back to look at her, I said, “Yeah?”
“Can I give you a piece of advice?”
With a shrug, I replied, “Sure.”
“Once in a lifetime, someone will walk into your life and turn it upside down. Your whole world will feel like it’s spinning out of control and you’re going to feel so many different things all at once. Being scared is the first thing you’ll feel, but if you let love in and trust it, I promise you it’s all worth it.”
Looking at the ground, I kicked at nothing. My heart physically felt as if it was aching anytime I thought about what we might have together. It wasn’t just that I was scared by how much I loved Taylor, I was also worried about the distance we lived apart from each other. “How do you make it work when I’m here and she’s there?”
“Do you love her, Jase?”
My head snapped up as I looked my mother in the eyes. “I’ve never loved anyone like I love her, Mom.”
“Then you’ll fight to make it work.”
Stepping off the elevator, I took in my surroundings. I had no idea what Taylor’s grandfather really did, but from the looks of this building, whatever he did he made money at it.
“May I help you, sir?”
I spun around and grinned at the receptionist. Her eyes lit up when she saw me and I flashed my crooked grin. “Hey there.”
Running her tongue quickly along her bottom lip, she smiled. “May I be of service to you?”
“Yes. I’m actually looking for Taylor Atwood.”
Her smile faded some while she sat up a bit straighter. “Taylor?”
“Yes,” I replied with a nod. “Taylor. Is she in?”
“I’d have to check, may I tell her who is here to see her?”
I wasn’t sure if I gave her my real name Taylor would tell her she didn’t want to see me. Maybe I should give her a fake name. After going back and forth in my head I decided to go with my real name.
“Jase Morris.”
As she picked up the phone, she flashed me a flirty smile. “Jase . . . that’s a nice name.”
“Thank you.”
Looking away, she spoke. “Ms. Atwood, there is a Mr. Jase Morris at the front to see you. Yes, I’ll let him know.”
The back of my throat ached. She didn’t want to see me.
The receptionist hung up the phone and gave me a polite smile. “Ms. Atwood asked if you would please take a seat. She’ll be with you in a few minutes.”
A rush of relief raced through my body as I let out the breath I hadn’t known I was holding in. With a quick spin on my heels, I made my way over to the chairs and sat down.
Five minutes passed before I heard her voice coming from down the hall. “I’ll get those numbers on the investments over to you this afternoon.”
Taylor and a guy a few years older than me rounded the corner. When she put her hand for him to shake it, I couldn’t help but notice the way he looked her over like he wanted to devour her.
Fucker.