This is an idea that I'd had before regarding the beginning of their relationship. I'd started to write it when that absolutely perfect article came out, helping me to add some more detail.
"If anything, it's good publicity, after the whole Matty mess. And you've got to admit, Taylor, the whole story is adorable."
It was only mid afternoon, but she felt listless, picking at the Greek salad she'd fixed them both for lunch. She was glad to be back in her own space for the time being, with her cats and in her own bed, to be sure, but without having a steady schedule, she was kind of lost.
It was just something fun to think about. She'd heard about the whole friendship bracelet thing, which was really cute, but the truth of the matter was, Kam was already all over that, slyly mentioning he knew of an adorably goofy, tall football player that matched her energy perfectly, asking her if she knew that he had been to concert. He also just happened to have been on the same team his brother used to play for. It felt like no coincidence that her dressing room when she played Arrowhead was the large locker room the players used for games and her cousins were over the moon to take pictures in front of a certain person's locker, being big fans. Even her parents got in on the act, mentioning what a nice looking couple they'd make.
Still, she was guarded. Did she really want to meet with someone? Was the whole thing just a ploy? It was these kind of questions she had to ask herself in the interest of self-preservation. It had been a really fucked up few months.
Tree had her hands folded in the manner where Taylor knew she meant business, not necessarily stern, but serious and she sighed.
"I get where you're going with this. I just don't see how jumping into something with this guy would be good publicity. The press would have a fucking field day."
"You're missing the bigger picture, Taylor," Tree explained patiently. "Between you and I, the Matty thing was never serious. You know that and I know that. And I get it...believe me, I do. But put yourself in my shoes. A total logistical nightmare. A nightmare. This guy makes much more sense on paper."
Taylor blinked, spearing a cucumber. "I'm not dating someone just for good PR, Tree. Not at this point. I absolutely refuse. No."
"That isn't what I'm saying at all."
Tree had the patience of a saint and she knew she could be a humongous, yet well intentioned pain in the ass, so she took a deep breath, focusing on her breathing.
"I want to meet someone... organically. Like this whole idea is super cute and he...he's extremely attractive," she tapped her nail against the phone screen where she'd pulled up his picture. "I'm certainly not denying that...I'd be stupid if I did. And I'm doing better, I am. I've worked through a lot. I just don't think I have it in me for another rebound. You're thinking, "well, what if it's not, Taylor? That's just as exhausting, too. I don't know..."
She buried her head in the crook of her arm, completely aware she was being overdramatic. Between general fatigue and her brain never allowing her a second of peace, the way she figured it, she was entitled.
Focusing her eyes on Tree who was calmly eating as though Taylor wasn't having an entire meltdown right in front of her, she heaved another sigh.
"I guess it's like...what would really be the harm in just meeting him?"
"I could get you his number," Tree offered casually. Tree could get God's number, she was fairly certain, if it were possible. "Just give me the go ahead and I will."
"Oh, you're loving this, aren't you," Taylor smirked. "Secretly. You live to play matchmaker. Not just because it makes your job easier, but because you're such a sap."
