Secretly Yours - Taylor x Travis AU

04.

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I stretched lazily, savoring the peacefulness of waking up in the beach house. A week had passed since that almost-kiss with Travis, and the memory of it lingered in the back of my mind, a tantalizing "what if" that refused to be ignored. Today, however, felt different. Today was going to be special.

I rolled out of bed and padded to the bathroom, the cool tiles a contrast to the heat that promised to build throughout the day. After a quick shower, I stood in front of the mirror, considering my outfit. I wanted something casual yet cute—something that said I was ready for an adventure. I pulled on a pair of denim shorts and a soft, pink tank top, the same one I had worn that morning Travis helped me reach the glasses.

Once dressed, I brushed my hair, letting it fall in loose waves around my shoulders. A touch of mascara and lip gloss completed my look. I gave myself a final once-over in the mirror, feeling a flutter of anticipation. Today, Travis and I were going shopping, just the two of us.

I bounded down the stairs, the smell of breakfast wafting through the house. My mom, Andrea, and Donna were already in the kitchen, sipping coffee and chatting. Austin had gone out for a run, and Clara was still away at camp.

"Morning, Mom," I said, grabbing a piece of toast.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Mom replied with a smile. "Big plans today?"

"Travis and I are going into town," I said casually, though my heart was racing. "We thought we'd do some shopping."

Donna looked up, her eyes twinkling. "That sounds like fun. You two enjoy yourselves."

I smiled and finished my toast just as Travis walked in. He looked effortlessly handsome in a navy t-shirt and khaki shorts. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world faded away.

"Ready to go?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Yeah, let's do this," I replied, grabbing my bag.

We waved goodbye to our moms and headed out the door, the warm sun already high in the sky. The drive into town was filled with easy conversation and laughter, the kind that made you forget about everything else. We parked the car and stepped into the bustling streets, alive with the sounds and sights of summer.

Our first stop was a quaint little boutique with colorful dresses displayed in the window. We wandered inside, browsing through the racks. Travis picked out a flowy, blue sundress and held it up to me.

"This would look amazing on you," he said with a grin.

I blushed, taking the dress from him. "You think so? I'll try it on."

I slipped into the dressing room, my heart pounding. The dress fit perfectly, the soft fabric hugging my curves in all the right places. I stepped out to show Travis, and his eyes widened in appreciation.

"You look beautiful, Taylor," he said softly.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling my cheeks warm.

We continued our shopping spree, moving from store to store, trying on hats, sunglasses, and silly accessories that had us laughing until our sides hurt. We stopped at a local café for lunch, sitting outside under a shady umbrella. Over sandwiches and iced tea, we talked about everything and nothing, the conversation flowing effortlessly.

After lunch, we wandered into an old bookstore, the air filled with the scent of aged paper and ink. I lost myself in the rows of novels, while Travis found a section on local history. We spent hours there, sharing our favorite finds and discovering new interests.

By the time we left the bookstore, the sun was beginning its descent. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, casting a magical glow over the town. Travis suggested we take a walk along the beach, and I readily agreed.

The beach was quieter now, the crowds having thinned out as the day drew to a close. We walked side by side, the soft sand beneath our feet and the gentle waves lapping at the shore. The conversation grew more intimate, our voices hushed in the serene twilight.

"Taylor," Travis said suddenly, stopping and turning to face me. "There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

My heart skipped a beat. "What is it, Travis?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. "I know we've always been friends because of Austin, but this past week... I've felt something more. I can't stop thinking about you."

I felt a rush of emotions, my heart swelling with hope and fear. "I've been thinking about you too," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

He stepped closer, his hand gently cupping my cheek. "I know it's complicated with Austin and all, but I don't want to ignore these feelings anymore."

I looked up at him, seeing the same longing and uncertainty reflected in his eyes. "Me neither," I said softly.

Our faces were inches apart, the world around us fading into the background. The only thing that mattered was this moment, this connection between us. He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin, and I closed my eyes, anticipating the feel of his lips on mine.

This time, nothing interrupted us. His lips met mine in a soft, tentative kiss, and it felt like everything I had been waiting for. The kiss deepened, a perfect blend of tenderness and passion, as if we were both afraid and exhilarated by the new territory we were exploring.

When we finally pulled away, we were both breathless, our foreheads resting against each other. The world felt different, as if it had shifted to accommodate this new reality between us.

"I've wanted to do that for so long," Travis murmured, his voice filled with emotion.

"Me too," I whispered, my heart racing. "I'm so glad we did."

We stood there for a moment, wrapped up in each other, the setting sun casting a golden glow over us. Everything felt right, like this was exactly where we were meant to be.

As we walked back to the beach house, hand in hand, I knew that today had changed everything. We had crossed a line, but it felt like the most natural thing in the world. The uncertainty of the past week was gone, replaced by a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. And as the stars began to twinkle in the twilight sky, I felt a surge of hope and happiness. This was just the beginning of our story, and I couldn't wait to see where it would lead.