Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

do it at her office. That conversation had to take place in private when I could see her face and touch her. I wouldn’t think about what would happen if she didn’t feel the same way. I was done waiting. It was time to go after what I wanted and I wanted her.

“We should celebrate.” She pulled back and was quiet for a few seconds like she was considering what we should do but I didn’t care as long as we were together. “You have Zach though, right?”

“Yeah, I always make dinner for him.”

“Would he want to go out? Maybe grab a pizza or something?”

“I’m sure he would.” I’d never taken him anywhere before except the few times he’d shown up at the bar. I worried I was crossing a line. I wasn’t his parent or his mentor. I was just the neighbor. But was I? What I was doing was more like a mentor. I stood straighter. Zach deserved having me in his life, like I deserved him. The same went for Taylor. I just hoped she’d feel the same way once I told her I loved her.

“Great. I’ll meet you at your place? Do you need to work?”

“Let me check with Isaac. I’m always off for dinner and it shouldn’t be an issue if I’m a little later than normal.” I’m sure Isaac would understand we wanted to celebrate the news.

“I wish you didn’t have to work late every night.”

I knew what she was thinking. She worked days and I worked nights. It was nice when she helped out at the bar in the evenings but that wasn’t fair to her. She couldn’t work two jobs each day. She didn’t need to. But I was a bartender and I’d just taken on more responsibility. I’d be working more hours not less. “Maybe it’s time for Isaac to hire more help.”

“Definitely. That way he can stop tapping the U.S. Attorney’s Office for waitresses.” She smiled teasingly.

“That was just me and nobody else but me better be tapping you.”

She snorted at first but then said quieter, “I’m so glad you offered me the job. Best Job Ever.”

“It was the best decision I ever made.” I thought back to our first meeting when she offered to waitress in exchange for my help. I rose to the challenge, but there was something else drawing me to her and it wasn’t just her looks. It was her tenacity—her inner goodness that shown through everything. I’d been jaded for so long and she’d gotten to me even on our first meeting.

Taylor checked the time on her phone. “I’m so sorry I can’t do lunch when you came all the way here, but I have a meeting in a few.” She pulled me in for a hug.

“That’s okay. I came unannounced.”

“Congrats. I can’t wait to celebrate tonight.”

I kissed her lightly. “See you tonight.” As I walked out of her office, I wondered if I was being unrealistic thinking a relationship could work. She was an attorney, a prosecutor, for God’s sake. She never acted like she was too good for me or like she had a ton of money. I felt like her equal when we were together.

Something about seeing her in her element, her fancy official office, brought everything back into perspective. I’d need to be careful.

Later that night, I smiled when I saw Zach waiting at the door talking to Taylor. I don’t know what they were talking about but the light on Zach’s face as he listened attentively to whatever she was saying was amazing. I loved that they got along so well.

“Hey,” I said drawing both of their attention.

“Oh, hey,” Taylor said sheepishly. “Sorry, I got here a little early.”

“Never apologize for that. I should have given you a key.”

Her brows rose at that.

I didn’t want her waiting around in the hallway. It wasn’t safe. “I should have given Zach a key awhile ago.” That was stupid. I can’t believe I hadn’t. It was just that he lived here. He was used to this lifestyle—the danger on the street. Taylor was different. This wasn’t her life. She wasn’t from here. “I’ll have two keys made tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” Taylor said softly touching my forearm as I placed my key in the knob and turned.

She walked inside after a small smile aimed at me.

“You’re totally whipped,” Zach said, laughing as he followed her inside.

I wanted to make Taylor happy when I’d never wanted to make anyone else happy. It felt good. “What do you even know about that, huh? Don’t listen to what those idiots say in your school.”

“I know enough to know she’s got you whipped.”

“Someday you’ll be lucky to be in the same position, kid.” I slapped his shoulder lightly and caught Taylor’s soft expression.

I’d continue dropping hints that she was it for me. Then it wouldn’t come as a surprise when I told her how I felt.

“Whatever,” Zach said, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Taylor and what a future with her would look like.

She wouldn’t live here. I’d need a new apartment. But I couldn’t leave Zach. I needed to figure out his situation. We needed to talk to his mother, but first we needed food. I was starving.

“Did you want to get pizza, Zach?”

“For real?” His face could only be described as measured excitement, as if he didn’t want to get his hopes up.

“Do you not like pizza?” Taylor’s crestfallen expression was cute. “We can get something else.”

“No, I love pizza. It’s just—” He looked at me and I knew. He wasn’t used to going out to eat. His mom didn’t order pizza. He’d probably only eaten it at school.

“No worries, man. Let’s go,” I said, letting him off the hook. He was proud and didn’t want to admit he was overwhelmed with the suggestion. And I knew what was causing his feelings. I’d always allowed him in my home, I cooked for him, and helped him with his homework, but I’d never truly involved him in