Chapter 31 Gabriel
GAbrIEL
Taylor insisted on being the next one to orchestrate our fun, so I met him on Thursday afternoon at an address I’d promised not to look up in advance. The significance of his leaving work right at five p.m. on a weekday to meet up, even though tax season was still in full swing, was not lost on me.
I stepped out of my ride share and spotted a sign touting vintage threads in the shop window.
“Hey, handsome,” Taylor said to me as I walked up to the front door. He pulled me into a hug.
“I bet I can guess what we’re doing here.”
Now that the wedding was behind us, the countdown to my big birthday celebration had begun in earnest.
Taylor grinned. “You are refusing my help with your party—which is annoying, by the way—but I figured this was at least one way I could participate.”
“You would go too hard.” I shoved at him. “You need a break after all the wedding planning you just finished, and I’m not letting you burn out again.”
Taylor tried but failed to hold in his smile.
“You only turn thirty once.” He attempted to mimic my voice. “I’m going to make it a big fucking deal.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know I said that, but it doesn’t hold you personally liable.”
Taylor rolled his eyes and interlaced his fingers with mine, leading me into the store.
“So, what are we looking for today?” he asked.
“Well, it’s nineties themed, so let’s start there. I’m hoping I stumble across something that inspires me because I haven’t decided on a costume yet.”
I scanned the racks. Sometimes you had to hit up the stores a few times before you found what you were looking for, but I’d been feeling lucky lately.
“What did you do for your thirtieth?”
“Just the matching tattoos with Margo,” he replied.
I’d thought his little rainbow tattoo was adorable before, but now that I knew the story behind it, I loved it even more.
“No party?” I feigned shock, even though Taylor’s deflection of attention from himself didn’t surprise me in the slightest.
“Nope, it didn’t feel like a milestone.” Taylor tossed a sidelong smirk in my direction. “My life has been pretty routine until recently.”
“I have no idea what you mean.” I winked.
Taylor pulled out an oversized T-shirt with a geometric neon pattern and held it up to my chest. “I haven’t been thrifting since I was a teen.
My theater teacher encouraged us to find pieces for our school plays in stores like this one, then we’d modify them in class.
I think the department had a nonexistent budget, but I loved the challenge. ”
“I’ve bought clothes secondhand my whole life,” I said, taking the shirt from him and tossing it over my arm.
An idea was starting to form in my mind.
“Growing up, I hated it. Never felt as cool as the other kids in school with their new clothes. Even though I went through a phase of buying the trendy stuff, now I shop almost exclusively at thrift stores again. Couldn’t have the degree I have without doing my part for the environment. ”
I was distracted by the way Taylor’s tongue stuck out ever so slightly while he was perusing the racks, deep in analysis mode.
I thought he was stunning that first day in the fancy suit, but seeing him like this—wearing a casual white Henley and shorts, his eyes lighting up when he found something he liked—made him even more attractive.
When he pulled a plaid miniskirt off the rack and threw it over his arm, I raised an eyebrow at him.
“You’re going to have to wait and see what that turns into.” Taylor laughed and wrapped his free arm around my waist. “I know why you’re doing this whole costume party thing, you know.”
I hummed as I pushed hangers around on the next rack. “Why’s that?”
“After I told you that story about my theater kid days, all of a sudden, we’re planning a costume party? Nothing suspicious about that at all,” Taylor teased.
“Not everything is about you, baby,” I smiled widely.
Except this was a tiny bit about him, not that I would ever admit it.
“I know we haven’t known each other for long, but you should know that I love a good costume party,” I said. “Who says costumes are only for kids or Halloween? That’s bullshit. What about those of us who are young at heart?”
“Ah, so definitely not a crisis of aging then, either.” Taylor’s eyes twinkled, and he poked my dimple with his finger. “Don’t worry, angel. I’m having a great time over here in my thirties. You’ll love it.”
I huffed. “Why are you making this a big deal?”
“Because you told me you wanted it to be a big deal.”
“Not like this.” I shrieked in laughter as he tickled my ribs.
“Whatever, sure, you’re doing none of this on purpose. Either way, I appreciate it. It’s been fun to remember what I loved about those days. And maybe it is time for me to find a real hobby. I’ve been in a rut.” He waved his hand over his clothes.
“I always think you look good. No more talking down about yourself on my watch.”
“You are biased.” He shot me a soft smile. “I feel like I’m always playing it safe. Basic, you know? At some point, it stopped being a priority. Plus, working as an accountant, you have to keep up professional appearances.”
“Well, if you ever need an audience while you’re testing out new fits, just ask. I’d be happy to ogle you for science.”
I grabbed Taylor’s necklaces and pulled his face closer so I could steal a quick kiss. His lips on mine always made my heart race. I couldn’t resist dipping back for another and another until Taylor was laughing deeply.
“I’m sure you would,” he said as he grabbed my hand and squeezed. “Thank you.”
I didn’t find everything I wanted for my costume, but I did buy a pair of jean overalls and talk Taylor into some criminally short navy shorts.
He’d eyed them with skepticism, but when I whispered in his ear about how hot his ass would look in them, I could tell he was powerless to resist my charms. The shorts got added to his pile of purchases.