Taylor's POV
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Ross' house is pretty similar to my own, white picket fence with a double driveway. A front garden with a few flowers and a lawn. He has a wooden porch which we climb the stairs up to the front door, hearing the voices and music from outside.
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Phillipa opens the door, the noise coming from inside is loud and invasive. I strain to hear her speak before letting us in.
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"Hi" she mutters not overly interested in us. I notice that her eyes flick over my dress and the fact that I'm wearing Matty's jacket. His arm around the small of my waist like we're heading into Prom.
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"You look nice" she says matter of factly, and slightly louder so that I can actually hear her. I take it as high praise from a girl that never compliments anybody.
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My eyes travel over her jeans and lilac top. It makes her look younger, her hair is in a bun accentuating her wide face. All the same I compliment her look as she moves aside as we enter Ross' hall.
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"You came together?" She practically shouts as we walk into the large living room with the others. She wants them to hear? Why? I wonder briefly. The music stops and I feel conspicuous. Ross is lounging on a corner sofa, which is cream. He looks at me wounded, Rachel is sat on the floor by a large coffee table. Rhea and Malachi are together on the other end of the sofa. Rhea smiles broadly at me, and Malachi nods to Matty.
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"Tay you look hot" Rach says, her expression one of complete shock. Her utterly unedited monologues keeps me entertained and I find that I love that about her. Whatever pops into her head comes straight out of her mouth. Matty looks down at me and makes a show of removing my/his jacket to show off my dress.
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"Thank you" I tell him softly, he's a tease, he knows how to work a room.
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"You look wonderful" he whispers and I smile at him.
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"Where is your dress from hun?" A tall girl asks from the other side of the room. She giggles and sneers at me and my new prada gown. I balk, not seeing how she ever ended up with Matthew, assuming that this is indeed Jen. Long dark hair which is spiked around the edges, just like her personality. Deliberately white skin, has she used talcum powder as foundation? Dark red lips and heavy eyeliner. She would be an absolute vision if she wasn't so mean. I can feel the jealousy rolling off of her as she's trying to pull me down. Well pulling me down is not going to happen, hun.
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Brad, I recognise from Matthew's party, stands next to her with his jaw on the floor. She glances his way clicks at him and he recovers. I just wait for her to realise how pathetic that was for an opening dig.
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I hold her stare as she refuses to back down. Glancing at her own black attire just as she did my own dress. Eventually I look back up into her face.
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"Taylor, I assume you're Jen" I introduce myself. I know who you are bitch, there's nothing hidden between myself and Matthew.
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"Right" she says distastefully.
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"Right" I say just a hint of annoyance behind my tone.
Ryan steps out of the kitchen a few cups in his hands. Glasses on and a new pink shirt on.
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"Oh hey Taylor looking awesome. Is that" he smiles placing the cups down
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"Is it prada" he says coming over and inspecting my gown. I just knew he was into fashion.
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"Indeed it is" I tell him and he admires it.
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"Beautiful, Maroon is your colour" he smiles sitting down next to Phillipa.
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"You'd look great in fendi" Phillipa adds brushing a stray hair out of her face. Just full of compliments tonight isn't she?
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"You'd look great in Ralph" I smile nicely and she beams at me, has nobody ever complimented her before? Jen scowls. A face of thunder and I smile looking at my boots. Matthew places his hand on my lower back in a gesture to guide me into the room.
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"Ross we got some drinks on the way in" I say to him. Indicating to the bag I'm holding. I try to sound normal, and to smile at him reassuringly.
I glance at Rhea who is beaming at me. Malachi is holding back his laughter at the whole scene I've made inadvertently.
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"That's great, thanks Tay" Ross beams at me standing up as I follow him in to what I can only assume is his kitchen. Matty tactfully lets me follow him alone. I presume he realises that I need to clear the air.
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Ross' kitchen follows suit with the rest of the house with its neutral colour scheme. He has an American style fridge with an ice dispenser. It's the brightest thing in the room, in a postbox red colour. With lots of pictures pinned to it with magnets.
I set the bottles down on the kitchen island. He grabs a glass and pours me a shot of Malibu and lemonade.
He hands it to me looking up and into my eyes finally.
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"You look unbelievable" he whispers. I need to be strong here. Don't look at him I instruct myself. That's my only ploy, but it's so difficult. He already feels familiar to me.
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I finish sipping my drink and look directly at him. Hopeless case that I am. His blonde hair pushed away from his face. His arm resting on the countertop as he leans into me, the sleeves of a khaki button up shirt rolled up. His look completed with black Levi's, he looks smart.
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"What's the occasion" I ask looking at his shirt.
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"What's the occasion for you" he retaliates cheekily looking my dress up and down.
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I laugh somewhat awkwardly. God that stare I must escape it. His true blue eyes lock onto me and I feel warm, hot even. I remember his hands on my bare skin. His lips caressing my own, telling me that he doesn't just casually kiss any other girls.
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"Either way wow, I don't think I've ever seen a girl look better dressed" he says pouring his drink. Jack and coke, I note.
"So thanks for coming and brightening up my evening, considerably. I've been stuck with Rach hitting on Stiffy, Jen and Brad doing whatever it is they do and Pippa well making snarky comments" he laughs taking a sip of his own drink
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We fall back into our comfortable conversation, it's easy and friendly. I don't want him annoyed with me ever. I find myself not wanting to disappoint him. And that said, not wanting to hurt him. The music turns up next door, some kind of dance music. The girls laugh and start jumping around presumably dancing. That grabs my attention.
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"I ugh need to tell you," Ross begins leaning into me.
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"I just want you to make an informed decision about everything" he looks at me imploringly.
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He takes my hand softly in his own. His eyes looking into mine as if he's trying to tell me all of his secrets merely with his eye contact.
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"Sorry I'm not making moves on you here, I care even just as a friend but obviously as more. But what I'm saying is I want you to be so so careful, Taylor" he says genuinely. Staring at me completely earnestly.
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Rhea bursts into the kitchen Ross looks chagrined at the interruption. He sweeps his hair back and begins rolling up two cigarettes.
"You need to come dance" Rhea announces completely unaware of our moment due to her inebriation.
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"I'm coming" I begin glancing at Ross who is no longer looking at me at all. He just continues rolling, moment over. Heart to heart done I guess.
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Matty comes in smiling at Rhea. It strikes me that he really wants to make an effort with my friend. She smiles back at him. Charmed.
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"Doesn't she Matty?" She smiles at him.
"Less talking more dancing and drinking" she instructs me.
"This girl can grind I'll have you know" Rhea lets them know loudly.
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"How much have you had" I ask her. I'm not embarrassed, I can move. Dancing is something I'm good at. Confident with even.
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"Hey don't pull that shit with me Taylor" she jokes.
Matty is finding this very amusing. I put my hands up in my defence.
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"I think shots, for you now so we can stop you being so damn responsible" she says slurring.
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"This is nice" I say to her eyeing her black over the shoulder top, we purchased it the other day together.
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"Where did you get it from hun" I joke and she laughs hysterically as I loosely imitate Jen.
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"The hell was that about" Malachi comes in laughing.
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"She was all up in your business girl" he sighs lighting up with Ross' lighter.
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Ross hands me a roll up. I light it up, it's minty of course.
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"What a reaction babe" Rhea smirks at me.
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"Yeah you were just like hi I'm Taylor haven't you heard. The fuck who's asking" Malachi snorts and I laugh with them. Matty smirks and places his hands around my waist again.
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Ross goes back to leaning against the side, arms folded in front of him. Staring at me. We grab two shots of tequila, Rhea and I both down them. It floors me, tequila is strong.
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I sit up on the high stool opposite both Matthew and Ross. They're talking and I'm watching Rhea who has dragged Malachi into dancing with her. Clearly I am taking too long to do as she pleases.
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"I think those moves have got to be demonstrated babe, what's grinding when it's at home?” Matty says very cheekily, winking. Playful Matty has come out, I would love to grind on him if I'm being honest. I watch him leaning back on the other counter, opposite me.
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"Like you don't know" I laugh.
Ross has cheered up and smiles at me openly, that sweet smile. Maybe because I'm teasing Matty.
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"Oh you want a lesson? Or a show?" I ask Matthew.
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He's staring at me intently, thinking she won't do it. Problem is I will. He's thinking; not my shy Taylor. But if he can be a complicated moody guy one minute and then a simple charming boyfriend the next. Believe me I can do the same, I will keep him guessing until I hear the right song.
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"I will take what I can get" he says eyeing me.
I stand up. He watches me, how have I managed to captivate this one? I pull my dress down so it's now a Bardot, exposing my neck and shoulders completely. I was going to wear it like this before but I thought it was too much. It is completely too much. Ross practically boggles at me.
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Matty smiles at me, how he doesn't believe I will do this is beyond me. Perhaps I played innocent Taylor very convincingly. I take his hand, and I make him sit on the chair. He can watch me with no distractions. He grabs his cigarette and takes a pull.
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"I'm waiting babe" he smirks.
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I take one more shot, I do need it after all. It burns my throat but when I look back down at him I know that he can see the fire behind my eyes, and most importantly the cheekiness.
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