You Can't Always Get What You Want (Taylor Hanson)

Chapter 4

Two days later Essence and Christine were sitting in Denny's waiting for Justin to come. Her parents thought she would be going to Hershey Park, which was around three hours away, for a few days with her best friend, when in reality she and Justin were going.

She still had two hours to wait until Justin would be there, so she and Christine were spending some time together.

"I know that Taylor hurt you and he seems like a jerk, but maybe the two of you could be friends. You did want that, you know?" Christine was saying.

Essence shook her head, "He's a complete and total ass. Nothing like how us fans thought he was."

"Maybe he just came off wrong. You did say he said he didn't want the marriage either. Maybe he is on your side."

"Yeah, well if that's even the truth. He makes me sick. He probably just wants to be with his precious Natalie,"

Essence replied, bitterly,"She's supposedly pregnant again. It's pretty clear he wants nothing to do with me."

Christine grinned,"You just contradicted yourself. Are you sure you don't harbor any feelings toward him?"

"Only hatred and loathing."

"Come on Essence, some of how you felt for me must still be there," said a very familiar voice.

Both girls' heads turned to look up at the tall figure standing beside their booth, grinning at the object of his supposed desire.

"Go away Taylor," Essence said.

Taylor's grin become a serious expression, "Look Essence, we need to talk. We got off wrong. I really would like to be friends with you. After all those years of thinking we'd end up together, well, I'd like to at least have a friendship with you." His deep blue eyes were filled with sincerity and he wore an anxious look on his face.

Essence sighed,"Fine Taylor, I'll give you another chance. But don't even think you can pull that cocky-ass bullshit again. If you do, you can kiss any chance at friendship goodbye."

His grin reappeared,"Got it."

"Well you two," Christine said with a quirky smile on her lips,"I should get going. I'll let you guys talk for the hour and a half you have before Justin comes."

Essence started to protest but Christine stopped her,"Look girl, you won't be able to see Tay for almost a week, so it'd be a good idea to at least talk now. Besides,"she checked her watch,"I promised Evan I'd meet him for lunch. I'll see you later."

Essence sighed,"Okay Chris, later."

After she was gone, Taylor slid into place where she had vacated. "You know, maybe we should start over," he said, sticking out his hand, the cheeky grin staying on his face,"Hi, I'm Taylor. Nice to meet you."

Essence laughed and her smile transformed her serious expression into sparkling eyes and straight pearly white teeth. She shook his hand,"I'm Essence. Nice to meet you too."

The shock of his solid, warm hand with the long fingers brought a slight rush of longing, which she quickly pushed back down.

"So Essence, how old are you?" Taylor continued the charade, pulling his hand reluctantly away from hers.

She laughed and replied,"It's okay, we don't need to start COMPLETELY over. I'm sure you know at least that about me."

"Actually I don't know too much about you. Our parents wanted us to get to know each other on our own. I do know your birthday though, which is in a little over a week."