Free Better with Ben (How to Tame a Heartbreaker Book 3) by Casey McMillin Page A

her awake. Her body was in the middle of shutting down, but she fought it hard, telling herself over and over that it was all in her head as she teetered on the edge of consciousness.
    She stayed on the floor for about five minutes, fighting hellish waves of panic and praying that Gina wouldn't walk in and find her prostrate. She didn't feel like having to confront the obvious problem of needing to press your face to cold tile to stay conscious.
    Taylor made it through the attack without losing consciousness. She did breathing exercises for a few minutes, trying to concentrate on slowing her heart. She had cottonmouth—a symptom she knew to expect during an attack. She finally stood to get a glass of water, thinking she was glad she knew what symptoms to expect. That was the only thing keeping her grounded during the worst waves.
    She glanced at her phone as she sat on the couch. It was 7:08. Had she just been on the floor for over thirty minutes? What the hell?
    She typed in the pass code on her phone and stared at the screen. There was a text from Gina saying that she was just going to stay at school and study for a test since it was raining so hard. Taylor sighed and threw her head back onto the couch in frustration. She wasn't frustrated with Gina for not coming home—she was frustrated with herself for not being able to handle the thought of Gina not coming home.
    She could have called Hannah, Anne, Matt, Michael, Gina, or about ten other people who would have been willing to help her out if she needed it, but she didn't call any of them. The only person she thought could help was Molly's brother Ben. She remembered being wrapped in his arms, and amazingly, felt the panic subside at the mere thought.
    A week ago, she told herself she'd try a hug from Ben before she called in a prescription, and maybe it was the rainy day and the fact that she was alone, but she needed to do one or the other (or maybe even both). She figured she'd give Ben a call. She typed out a text to Molly since she didn’t have his number.
    Taylor: "Hey, I know this is random, but can I have your brother's number?"
    She knew she should have probably explained why she wanted it, but honestly, she was physically spent and didn't feel like offering details unless she had to.
    Molly text her back within seconds.
    Molly: "Nick and I are at the apartment, but Ben's not here. He's going out of town, but I'm not sure if he's gone yet. He can't really take calls when he's working, so don't worry if he doesn't call you back." Molly included Ben's cell phone number and an emoji of a smiley face.
    Taylor felt a sense of dread when she read the text, assuming the worst—that she'd try to get in touch with him and wouldn't be able to. He was probably out of town already. She was so let-down she almost forgot to send Molly a text back.
    Taylor: "Thanks. If you think he's working, I'll just wait till he gets back."
    Molly: "I'm not sure, but you could always try. Let me know if you can't get him and there's anything I can help you with. BTW, you doing okay?"
    Taylor laughed inwardly at the thought of pressing her face to the tile. Am I doing okay? Good one.
    Taylor: "I'm good, just had a question for him."
    Molly sent back another smiley face.
    Taylor saved Ben's phone number to her phone. She considered what she should write to him, but decided to call the number instead. It was likely that he wouldn't be able to respond anyway, so why not just jump in with both feet and place a good old-fashioned phone call? She pressed the numbers, and put the phone to her ear nervously. It rang a few times before she heard someone pick up.
    The person on the other end said, "Hello?" but she was so convinced that she'd get his machine that she didn't even realize she should respond. "Hello?" he asked again.
    Shit.
    It was him.
    "Hey, is this Ben?"
    "Yeah, who's this?"
    The sense of relief she felt knowing she had him on the line was unreal.
    "Taylor. Molly and Hannah's