Chapter 8

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"Those hardest to love need it most."

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Karlie

It was late in the afternoon when Karlie woke up. She wasn't surprised to see the other side of the bed was empty. She answered some texts from her sisters about her stay in Sunset Hills. She had told them she was here for a work thing, but not what specifically she was doing here, and she couldn't think of a reason why her job would demand her to go to a small town in southern Connecticut, so she tried to remain as vague as possible in her texts and hoped they would buy it. And it wasn't her problem if they didn't. She was a grown woman, after all.

Karlie headed downstairs and ran into Taylor in the living room. She was already dressed and had a fresh coat of makeup on her face. Karlie gulped when Taylor stood up. She was wearing black shorts and a white crop top and she looked absolutely stunning and Karlie knew she was ogling but she couldn't help it.

"Hey, I was just about to wake you," Taylor said. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. I just took some more aspirin for my ribs and so they feel okay now. Just don't make me laugh because I don't think I'll survive that. How are you?"

"Better now I have slept," Taylor smiled.

Karlie smiled back and they just stood there, looking at each other, not really knowing what to do. Karlie silently wondered what Taylor was thinking at the moment. She was slowly coming to terms with her feelings for her and even though the idea of love and attachment kind of scared the crap out of her, it was nice to feel this way again. She had fully overcome her shyness around Taylor and she knew she was getting bolder in her approach, and it was interesting to see how Taylor reacted to that. She didn't seem to mind it, but Karlie still wanted to be careful with her. She knew very little about the woman but she had obviously been through a lot in her life and Karlie didn't want to force her into this, whatever 'this' was.

They were interrupted by a soft cough. Both of their gazes shifted to Lilah, who had entered the living room through the kitchen door. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No," Taylor and Karlie said in unison. "Uh, Karlie, do you want something to eat?" Taylor quickly added.

Karlie shook her head. "I was actually wondering if I could take a shower."

"Yeah, of course, but what if you fall? Or faint?" Taylor said hesitantly.

Karlie chuckled. "Well, I have to shower at some point. Otherwise living with me is going to become very unpleasant very soon."

"Yeah, but—"

"I feel fine. The 24 hours are almost over."

"But what should I do? Do you want me— should I—" Taylor's cheeks became flushed and Karlie suddenly understood what she was insinuating.

"You don't have to stay with me while I shower. If something is wrong I'll just scream your name really loud."

Taylor still looked uncertain about this prospect but also relieved that Karlie didn't expect her to sit in the bathroom with her. She agreed silently and walked in the direction of the yard, so Karlie assumed she wouldn't be getting instructed on which bath products she could use.

"I'll show you where the towels are," Lilah smiled at Karlie. God bless that kid.

They walked upstairs together and Karlie could feel the little girl eyeing her with curiosity. When they entered the bathroom, Lilah asked, "So what's going on between you and my mom?"

"Nothing, why?" answered Karlie immediately.

"You seem a little awkward around each other."

Karlie chuckled. "Yeah, I guess... She doesn't really like me and I'm living here, so..."

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