Pulling into Taylor’s townhouse complex, I can’t stop the low whistle I let out under my breath. The place is beautiful. These townhomes probably cost more than three of my family homes. Even though Taylor seems nonchalant about her family’s wealth, not oblivious to it but also not aware of it either, her family home and townhouse reminds me of the residences that Daisy fawns over in her decorating magazines. Completely out of our league.

I park in the spot next to Taylor, directly in front of what I assume is her townhouse and cut the engine. Stepping out of my SUV, I breathe in the beginning of Autumn and follow Taylor as she walks up a few steps and unlocks the door to her townhouse.

Stepping inside, my eyes scan the room and I immediately feel comfortable. Taylor is right; her place is much simpler than her parent’s. Tasteful, beautifully decorated, but still practical and homey, it suits her. An open-concept living room that flows into the kitchen and a sitting area. Natural light streaming in from the front windows and the back sliding doors that lead onto a deck. The entire first floor is decorated in neutral colors, tans and beiges and whites, that are inviting and calming. “Your home is really you.”

“Thanks.” She drops her purse onto an armchair and flops onto the couch. “I never realized how much I would miss it.”

“Living on your own?”

She nods. “Have you ever lived by yourself?”

I shake my head, another life experience I am completely stunted in. Besides never having a real girlfriend, I’ve never been truly on my own either. Not like Jax and Den and Daisy. “No. I’ve always lived in my family home. After my mom passed and dad left, it was the four of us. But eventually, Jax enlisted and Den got locked up. For a long time, it was just Daisy and I and it made sense to stay and keep things stable for her. After she finished high school and went to ASU, Den moved back home and financially, neither one of us was in the position to live on our own so it made sense to stay. I guess I never really thought about it because it always seemed logical, easy. But one day I’d like to move out. Get my own place.”

Daisy nods, looking up at me, her eyes wide with understanding and just a sliver of sympathy. “That must have been hard.”

“What?”

“Putting a lot of your own life goals on hold for your sister and brothers.”

“I don’t know if I ever had that many life goals.”

“Maybe you would have if you felt like you could.”

I tilt my head, thinking about her words. If I didn’t have any family responsibilities or obligations, would I have moved someplace else? Gone to college? “Maybe.”

“It’s not too late, you know, if you wanted to do something different.”

“Oh yeah?” I sit down on a chair, squishing her purse between my body and the armrest. “How’s your education program hunt going?”

“Pretty good. I found a program at Savannah State I may apply to.”

“What’s holding you back?”

She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t know if I’m ready to give up modeling completely.”

“Why can’t you do both?”

“I don’t know. I guess I could, but it just seems like teaching would be the next course of action after my modeling career.” She scrapes a fingernail over the Styrofoam of her coffee cup. “If I apply, I’ll see about a January start. Or even next September. Maybe give modeling a go for one more year. I’ve been working really hard at my PT and Patrick, my therapist, thinks my limp will be completely gone in another two months or so.”

“I’ve noticed that you’re walking seems a lot stronger.”

She nods, beaming at me, her whole face open and happy. “It is. I feel a lot stronger too. And with the limp less noticeable, I feel more confident which gives me the extra energy I need to push through the PT sessions.”

“That’s great, Taylor. Really great. I’m proud of you.” I tell her sincerely and she shakes her head, blushing at the praise.

“We’ll see if some of my old accounts come through again. But I want to give it one more shot, you know?”

“Like closure?”

“Exactly.”

“I feel you.” I stand up from my chair, brushing my hands together as my stomach grumbles. “Not to rush but I’m starving. Want to move your stuff in and have some donuts?”

Taylor nods, standing up as well and leaving her coffee on the side table next to the couch. “Sounds perfect.”

We make quick work of unloading the boxes and suitcases. I carry everything into Taylor’s home and while she’s busy unpacking some items, I drop a bag of donuts and my coffee in her kitchen. Popping my coffee into her microwave to heat it up, Taylor comes up behind me, wrapping her arms around my middle and pressing her cheek in between my shoulder blades.

“Thank you. For today. For helping me.” Her voice drips with sincerity and I turn, pulling her in for a real hug and holding her against me.

The top of her head fits perfectly under my chin and I breathe in the scent of her hair and skin and her. Giving her one more squeeze, I let her pull away. She turns her face up to mine and grins shyly.

“Anytime, babe. I’m glad I could come help.”

She grins at me before turning to pull some donuts out of the Kindred Spirits bag and arranges them on a plate. We sit at her large kitchen island and have a snack, the conversation between us flowing easily.

Too soon, I have to leave in order to make my shift at Cork’s. Brushing a kiss against her cheek, I linger in her space, breathing her in one more time before heading out to my SUV and starting the engine. I’m about to back out of the parking spot when I see him.

Tall and slim, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit like he just wrapped up a meeting, the bright blue of his eyes, usually calculating but now filled with warmth as he stares at the townhouse I just left is… the business bigshot I convinced to step up to the Devil’s Shadows poker game. My last job. My last mark was… Taylor’s father?

I watch as he knocks on the door before opening it and Taylor appears, laughing as she wraps her arms around her dad. He hugs her back tightly and my heart sinks.

I set up Taylor’s father with the MC. I helped cause his financial downfall.

I’m partly responsible for the pain and disappointment Taylor experienced when she learned of her dad’s gambling addiction.

Once again, my sins from the past come back to haunt me.

And I don’t have anyone to blame but myself.