Fated

Part 6

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Selena Gomez had always been a soothing presence for Taylor, a balm to her soul. Her mere presence had a calming effect on Taylor more than anything else she had ever tried. Throughout the entire flight, she couldn't shake Jade Storm from her mind, and her mother's words about giving her a chance kept replaying in her head.

"Dude! How are you?" Selena practically squealed as she hugged Taylor tightly.

Taylor relaxed into the embrace, returning the hug to her sister in all but blood. "I'm good, just hanging in there," she replied.

Selena looked at her sympathetically, well aware of the recent negative press Taylor had been receiving.

"Come on, put your bags in the guest room and have a drink," Selena urged, pulling Taylor along.

"It's the middle of the day!" Taylor protested, laughing as she followed.

"Who cares? It's 5 pm somewhere," Selena quipped, producing a bottle of wine.

Taylor couldn't help but smile; she loved Selena's carefree spirit. She took a glass and followed Selena to the living room.

"Are you planning on going to your home in Beverly Hills? You haven't visited it since you bought it," Selena asked as she settled on the couch.

Taylor sighed, taking a sip of her wine. "I don't know. I don't want anyone to know I'm here, and if I go to the house, the media will find out somehow."

Selena nodded in understanding. "Well, you're welcome to hide out here as long as you want, but only if you spill the beans about what you're running from this time."

Taylor chuckled nervously, taking another gulp of her wine. "Running? I'm not running from anyone."

"Girl, I know you. You didn't just decide to up and leave New York just because you missed me," Selena laughed, pointing a playful finger at Taylor.

Taylor swatted her hand irritably. "Why not? I could've just missed you!"

Selena burst into laughter. "You would've called, not hopped on a flight and fled New York."

Taylor just grumbled, refilling her wine glass and taking another large sip.

Selena eyed her with growing concern. "Okay, I know I suggested wine, but I think you need to slow down a little," she said, gently stopping Taylor from taking another gulp.

"Tell me what's wrong, is it Tom?"

"No, it's not Tom, he's fine! He's great!" Taylor replied, avoiding the fact that she had been ignoring Tom's calls and messages for the past few days.

Selena raised an eyebrow, sensing that Taylor wasn't being entirely truthful, but she decided to let it go.

"So, then what is it?" Selena asked, her excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

"It's Jade fucking Storm," Taylor explained, throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation.

"Jade Storm, the actress? What does she have to do with this? Scratch that, how do you even know her? And why didn't you tell me? I love her!" Selena said, wiggling with excitement.

"You and the whole damn world seem to love her, and I don't know her!" Taylor grumbled.

"Then what?"

"She's my fated mate," Taylor mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Selena frowned in disbelief. "Can you repeat that? I thought you said she was your destined mate."

Taylor refused to say anything more, sinking deeper into the couch.