Free Dreams (New Beginnings Book 3) by Michelle Lynn Page B

there aren’t any more eggs.”
    Josh swatted him on the back of the head then looked at Abigail. “Is Taylor in class all day?”
    “Yeah,” she replied. “But Fridays are her easy days. I can give you her schedule.”
    “Great. Write it down while I jump in the shower.” He walked towards the bathroom. Before shutting the door, he heard Mack’s voice.
    “I thought we could head back to bed after this, if you know what I mean.”
    “Can’t,” Abigail said. “I’m busy today.”
    Josh couldn’t help but smile at the exasperated sigh that left Mack’s lips as he closed the door. He wasn’t used to being turned down.
     
    ###
     
    Taylor’s passion for drawing died with Danny. Before him, it was a hobby, not something she could have ever dreamed of doing in the future. Then he came along and dreamed it for her, made her believe. He thought she was special, so she felt special. Now she didn’t know what she wanted.
    The professor dismissed the class and she walked out of the building into a rare gorgeous day. They were having a rainy fall, and she’d missed the sun. There was still a lot she didn’t know about her new city, but she’d learned quickly that an overcast sky was pretty typical.
    Today it was warm, with a brilliant blue sky dotted by puffy white clouds. Taylor walked around the corner of the building in the direction of the student union. She had an hour to grab lunch before her next class.
    “Taylor.”
    She stopped at the sound of her name and turned back towards the building she’d just passed. “Josh? What are you doing here?”
    He jogged the few feet between them and pushed his sunglasses up into his hair. “Thought you might want to get out of here.” He smiled hopefully.
    “I have classes,” she said regretfully.
    “I know. I just thought …” He stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans and looked down at his feet. “I haven’t seen you since the dinner at your parent’s house. I thought we could give this ‘friends’ thing a whirl.”
    Taylor had wanted to call him all week, but knew he had games. Now he was standing in front of her, vulnerable and unsure. He’s unsure and adorable, she thought.
    “Yeah,” she finally said. “Okay.”
    He raised his eyes to meet hers and a smile spread slowly across his face. “Yeah,” he repeated. “Okay.”
    He led her to his parked car - again, not what she expected. It wasn’t some hundred thousand dollar sports car. He drove a Lexus, still expensive but not showy. Just … nice, like him.
    “You sure you’re not missing anything in class?” he asked as they drove away.
    “Positive.” She looked sideways at him. “How’d you know where to find me anyways? Stalk much?”
    “Abigail told me.” He laughed and she didn’t know why.
    “When did you see Abigail?”
    “Look, she’ll kill me if she doesn’t get to tell you the story. So, let’s just say I made her breakfast at my place this morning.”
    “She didn’t,” Taylor said. “Mack?”
    “I didn’t say a word.”
    “I wonder if she’ll tell Colin.”
    “Apparently, it’ll all be okay.” He shrugged.
    Taylor was surprised to find herself laughing. “Whatever she says. We all know that kind of thing always ends well.”
    Josh smiled sideways at her and then looked back at the road.
    “So,” Taylor began. “Where’re we going?”
    “My favorite spot by the river. It’s the perfect day for it.”
    “Ew, didn’t a dead body wash up there?”
    “Wrong river.” Josh laughed. “Although, the Scioto is pretty gross too. Just don’t get close to the water.”
    “And you like that place?” She looked at him skeptically.
    “Just trust me. It’s great. Plus, I picked up some sandwiches on my way to get you.”
    “You were that sure I’d come?”
    “I hoped you would.”
    When Josh smiled, there was an uncertainty behind it that Taylor could relate to; a shyness.
    She thought one of the reasons she was comfortable around Josh was because he