Chapter two hundred and sixty-four:

Taylor finished unpacking his stuff and wandered through the house. He had been granted his own room in a separate wing of the house. He had his own bathroom and television; all the freedom he needed and all of the solitude he could find to relax and write songs.

He descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen for a bottle of water, where he found Jenna already in the fridge.

“Hey, Jen.” He greeted her casually. Admittedly, he had missed her. He hadn’t been entirely sure of that until he saw her at that moment, with her hair in soft curls and a long tank top on over her faded jeans. She was still dangerously thin, but at the same time looked healthier than she had in months.

She straightened and smiled at him. By the glow of the fridge light, she looked almost angelic. His heart literally skipped a beat and his crush on her blossomed all over again. He hated it.

“Tay!”

She crossed the kitchen with the clunk of her heels on the stone floor and embraced him by putting her arms around his neck.

“Hey,” He swallowed, pressing his hands flat on her back, drawing her into his body.

“You look fantastic.” He admitted when she pulled away.

Jen laughed at that. “Good to hear. Becky did my hair, she was bored. I hate it curly. I feel like a doll.”

“It looks nice, I like it.” Taylor said the words, then cursed himself for it. He quickly changed the subject. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m still on the pills and I’m eating like six meals a day.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s much more than I’m used to. I don’t know how I can do it.”

Taylor eased himself onto a stool at the kitchen island. “It’s helping.”

“Yeah.” She opened the fridge again. “Actually, I’m thinking about making some grilled cheese sandwiches. Want one?” She offered.

“Uh, no thanks. I’m not really hungry…” He lied.

Jen turned to look at him, and knitted her eyebrows in confusion. “Are you okay? You love my grilled cheese!”

Taylor shrugged. “I’m alright. I’m just not hungry. I ate on the plane.”

“Oh.” She didn’t appear completely satisfied with the answer so Taylor quickly moved on. “Where’s Luke?”

“He’s studying in the computer room. He’s got some essays to email to his professors, so I’m trying to stay out of the way so he isn’t bothered.” She replied, turning on the stove.

“Oh cool.” Taylor replied. He watched her as she moved about the kitchen, cutting cheese slices from a large brick and buttering bread.

“Can I help?” He offered.

“That’s okay.” She laughed. “It’s pretty straight foreword.”

“Okay… did you girls go out and get all kinds of new clothes?” He was eager to keep her talking to avoid awkward silences.

“Yeah, it was really great!” She spoke with her back to him. “We spent three whole days going to every clothing store in like six different malls. Christy got some really cute maternity clothes and Becky got these amazing high heeled boots which…” She stopped. “I’m sorry. I’m boring you.”

“No, no, it’s okay.” He urged. “It must be nice not to have to share clothes, huh?”

Jen laughed. “Becky and Christy were in my room this morning looking for clothes to wear.”

“Oh.”

Jen placed a sandwich on a plate, cutting it in half diagonally. She crossed to the kitchen island and placed the plate in front of him. “You’re getting one anyway, even if you aren’t hungry.” She smiled.

Taylor thought for a brief moment she loved him as much as he loved her. Instead she half-turned and stood with her hands on her hips. “Think I should make Luke one too?”

Taylor rolled his eyes. He was wrong. She would never share his feelings.

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