Free Hidden Scars by Amanda K. Byrne Page B

wanted, you know? I wanted to ease into the more serious end of dating, start by seeing someone for a whole month, maybe two, actually get to know them.” Which was what she’d been doing with Taylor. Her horror grew. “It’s all my fault. I had to let my curiosity get the best of me and try and get to know the guy and now it’s all getting out of control and it
sucks
, because I can’t handle anything other than super uber casual and we have to
work together
, which automatically makes everything worse.” She shut her eyes in defeat, slumping down in her chair.
           The continuing silence from the other side of the table had her opening them again. Megan was grinning at her like an idiot. “I honestly never thought I’d see this. Awesomeness.” She sobered when Sara glared at her. “No, this is a good thing. I know dating again after a nasty break up is difficult, and unlike a lot of people I know, you really did seem okay with being single. But if this guy’s so different, maybe that’s what you need to feel comfortable wading back into the relationship end of the pool, instead of sticking with the ‘three dates and I’m gone’ pile of pickings.”
           Megan reached for her mimosa. “I think he’s interested. You didn’t see the way he was looking at you after the bout. All intense and focused, like you’re the only one in the room.”
           Sara burst out laughing. “Taylor’s like that with everyone he has a conversation with. He’s an intense kind of guy. There’s no scary vibe coming off it, which is good, but yeah, I’m not special there.”
           “And I’m not sold,” Megan said, doubt lacing her tone. “Why don’t you ask him out or something? Satisfy your curiosity. Better yet, kiss him.”
           Yeah, because kissing Taylor was the best idea she’d heard in ages.
           She managed to steer Megan clear of dating and Taylor and their non-dating relationship for the rest of brunch, then begged off, saying she had to run errands. Instead she headed home, intending to spend the rest of the day with her new library book.
           Her plans changed when her phone buzzed with a text from Jeremy. He wouldn’t be in tomorrow. She could handle finishing the proposal without him, couldn’t she?
           Gritting her teeth, she forced her fingers to relax their death grip on her phone.
Of course
she could finish the proposal without him. Just like she’d written the last four proposals without him contributing a single word.
           Bringing it up to Larry wouldn’t do any good. No, if she wanted to fix this problem, she’d have to remove herself from the equation.
           She’d been growing more and more unhappy with the atmosphere at work, with Kaylin constantly pestering her for gossip, Larry’s insistence on a team atmosphere, and Jeremy’s laziness and general incompetence. While she’d liked her job before, she was fast approaching the point where she was staying because of the salary she commanded.
           Leaving Jones, Madison, and Compton would solve a few problems. She’d have a new challenge and she wouldn’t have to clean up the messes others made with their clients. The downside would be she couldn’t see Taylor every day.
           She worried her bottom lip. Could their fledgling friendship survive a job change? Would he still seek her out if he had to call or text her to make plans, rather than walk down the hall to her office?
           If she left, could it open the door for them to become more than friends?
           She bit hard into her lip, chasing the thoughts away. Taylor couldn’t be her reason for doing this. She was doing this for
her
, and her peace of mind. Rubbing her palms along her thighs, she got to her feet. Her resume needed to be updated and polished. She’d have to familiarize herself all over again with other firms in the area. A lot had to