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

“Don’t come back without her,” Isaac called after me as I walked down the hall into the bar and out the door.

I went home to get tickets, pack, and took an Uber to the airport. I was comfortable leaving Zach for a few days because his mother had agreed to parenting classes, requested assistance, and Ms. Glover was monitoring the situation. I had to explain to Taylor why I lashed out. If I had been thinking rationally, I would never have believed she could do such a thing.

She’d said she wouldn’t take me back, but I had to try. I couldn’t continue to let her think anything that happened was her fault. That she was a bad person. I couldn’t bear to hear the defeat in her words that I’d made her feel.

When I landed in Baltimore, I realized I had no idea where Taylor lived. She’d told me she lived in the downtown historic area of Annapolis but that was it. I searched for Leeds in Annapolis and found several, but only one downtown. I gave the address to the Uber driver, hoping this one was her parent’s address.

I pulled up to a well-maintained home with gray siding, bricks, black iron flower window boxes, and black shutters. I walked up the tall wooden steps to the double red doors, and raised my hand to knock, realizing I had no plan other than make her listen to me—be there for her. I had no idea if she’d let me. I knocked softly hoping it was the right house.

The door pulled open and an older man stood there with his brow raised. “Can I help you?”

I couldn’t help but notice how expensive yet homey everything looked—hardwood floors,

the curling wooden banister leading to the second floor, and artwork lining the foyer and hallway to the rest of the home. My heart raced. “Are you Taylor Leeds’s father?” He had the same light blue eyes.

“I am.” He stood unmoving, hand braced on the door, brow raised.

I knew this wouldn’t be easy. “I’m Gabe Adler. I’m a friend of your daughter’s—”

“Dad, who’s at the door?” that familiar silky voice I’d know anywhere drifted from behind him.

Her dad stepped back revealing Taylor, eyes wide with surprise. “What are you doing here?”

She stood in a long gray sweater, black leggings, her face clear of make-up, and her hair tied back in a ponytail, and I’d never seen anyone more beautiful. “I’m here to see you.”

Mr. Leeds moved off to the side still watching us.

I’d wanted to come earlier but I had to take care of Zach first and I needed to explain. I looked Mr. Leeds in the eye and hoped he’d see the sincerity in my eyes. “I had a situation at home that I had to take care of first, but I wanted to be here for Taylor. I know how important Caleb is to her.”

Mr. Leeds turned to Taylor but gestured at me. “Is this what you’re running from?”

Taylor’s face flushed. “I told you I’m not running from anything. Gabe’s a friend.”

Mr. Leeds’s eyes met mine, shining with respect and hope. It threw me for a second because in my experience, no father wanted me dating their daughter, especially, not someone like Taylor.

Her close-knit family and expensive home made me wonder if I had anything to offer her, but the fact that she loved me despite of that spurred me on. I wasn’t going to let her go without a fight. Mr. Leeds finally nodded to me before leaving us standing in the doorway.

“Can I come in?” I asked Taylor, nerves settling in deeper now that it was only the two of us. This was the moment that would decide everything. She could send me on my way or let me in.

She considered me for a long moment still standing several feet from the doorway before she moved closer to me and I held my breath. I wanted more than anything for her to approach me like that night in the bar when she’d smiled, happy to see me, and moved to kiss me. I wanted her lips on mine, her arms around me. Did she miss me as much as I missed her?

She merely stepped into me so that I had no choice but to step back onto the porch so she could close the door to her home. My heart sunk. I’d hoped she’d let me inside for this conversation. The cool fall wind drifted around us as she tightened her long sweater around her body.

“We can talk out here.” She gestured to the small front porch, which had two rocking chairs and a small table between.

It was better than sending me away and she’d agreed to talk to me. I waited for her to sit and then sat in the chair next to her.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice was quiet and the same flat tone she’d had on the phone. Like she’d lost all hope.

I could barely hear myself speak over my rapidly beating heart. “I wanted to be here for you like you were for me.” On the way here, I’d repeated those words to myself. They were the most meaningful things I’d ever said to anyone and I hoped she understood that. How she was different from anyone else. She was the only one I wanted to be there for.

“It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?”

“I needed to make sure Zach was okay first.” I’d told her this before but I didn’t mind explaining myself again in person.

“Is he okay?” Her expression was pensive and hopeful at the same time.

We’d discussed the results of the family services investigation but not Zach. “He is. He’s staying in school. Lizzie is taking parenting classes suggested by family services. She’s getting the support she needs so she doesn’t have to work late hours. She seems to be sincere in wanting to do better.” I’d asked about whether charges could be filed for her