When Worlds Collide

Rehearsal

Taylor:

I had spent an unreasonable amount of time debating which dress to choose and, by extension, which suit Travis would wear to complement it. Every time I thought I'd made up my mind, another option would creep into my thoughts, and I'd find myself doubting all over again.

In the end, I settled on the Vivienne Westwood dress. Out of all the options, it was the one that truly took my breath away. The first time I laid eyes on it, I knew I needed this dress. Its timeless elegance and intricate design made it stand out from everything else I'd seen.

The color was stunning, rich yet soft, perfectly balancing boldness and sophistication. It felt like a statement, a reflection of the new chapter I was stepping into. In fact, it even matched the aesthetic of my upcoming album something I hadn't planned but couldn't stop smiling about when I realized.

When I tried it on, the way the fabric flowed and hugged my frame made me feel as though it was made just for me. Wearing it gave me a sense of confidence and excitement that I hadn't felt in a while.

And then there was Travis. He looked stunning in the suit

This morning, I texted Tree to let her know about my decision. I'd agonized over it so much that I felt compelled to share the final verdict with her. Her reply came back almost instantly

"You made the perfect choice."

Even Travis had been enthusiastic about my decision.

The morning sun filtered through the gauzy curtains in soft golden streaks, painting the room in a dreamy glow. I sat across from Travis at the breakfast table, watching him as he lazily sipped his coffee, his strong, calloused hands wrapped around the mug like it was the most delicate thing in the world. His hair was still a little rumpled from sleep, and the shadow of his jawline made my breath hitch slightly he was effortlessly gorgeous in ways that still caught me off guard.

I took another sip of my own coffee, letting the warmth spread through me as I debated how to bring up the topic.

"Well," I finally said, placing my mug down softly and curling my fingers around the edge of the table, "I've made my decision about the dress."

Travis's eyes flicked up to mine, warm and curious. He leaned back slightly in his chair, that easy, boyish grin tugging at his lips. "Oh yeah? Which one?"

I felt the corners of my own mouth curl as a playful excitement bubbled up in me. "The dress by Vivienne Westwood ."

His reaction was immediate and delicious. He straightened slightly, his eyes darkening as they searched mine, and I could see that exact dress flashing in his mind. He had been there when Vivienne Westwood's team had brought it to my apartment, watching with barely disguised awe as they presented it.

"The one that looked like it was painted on you?" he asked, his voice lower now, his grin deepening into something more dangerous. "Tay, you're gonna kill me in that."

I felt a flush creep up my neck, warmth pooling in my chest as I reached for the gold chain around my neck...a nervous habit. "It's not just me they'll be staring at," I teased, tilting my head. "You'll be in that grey Westwood suit. You looked... I mean, Travis, you felt like a Mafia Boss  during the fitting."

He chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Felt more like your bodyguard, standing there next to you. You in that dress, me in that suit... feels right."

My heart stuttered at the way he said it, so simply, so full of certainty, and something inside me melted a little. "It does, doesn't it?" I murmured, my voice soft now.