Taylor's POV
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Guys that can parallel park 4x4's without their parking cameras on are a big deal for me. Really the way in which Matthew swings the car about maintaining his cool makes him look far older and more refined than his eighteen years.
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Glancing out of the tinted windows at our destination I take in the grandeur, the mowed lawns and the water fountains. The large estate that is the perfect setting for a wedding or any fancy event. Looking over at the perfect gentleman next to me in his suit and tie, I decide that guys in suits are also a bit of a thing for me too.
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“It’s a hotel” Matty tells me as we walk up to the building. I smile over at him as he takes my arm and wraps it in his own.
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“It’s beautiful” I smile over at him looking at the lit up building that resembles as palace. When I get closer I notice there are candles in every window illuminating the grand interior. We ascend the stone steps and stand in the warmth of reception. Looking at everybody else’s attire I'm glad I dressed up, this place is fancy.
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Matty places his hand on the small of my back as a smartly dressed man in uniform appears and asks for the name. After a brisk nod we are then shown to our table.
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I notice Linda at the same time she claps eyes on us on our way over. She stands smiling, taking one look at me and beaming with pride. I feel I have made the correct choice in outfit I return her smile.
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"Matthew and Taylor" she says extending her arms and my nerves dissipate as she holds me in an embrace.
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"Taylor you look absolutely stunning" she says to me and I thank her and compliment her back on her maroon dress. It’s a classic cut, with a boat neckline and ending at her knees. Steve hands me some champagne, I take it gratefully.
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"Kimberly this is the lovely Taylor, Matty's partner" Linda says boastfully.
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I turn to appraise Kimberly, Matthews sister, and I smile at her warmly extending my hand to which she smiles and instead wraps me up in a big hug. Kim is slim with a pixie haircut. Her alabaster skin glowing as she regards my outfit and tells me that I look wonderful and elegant. I notice that she has the same green eyes as her brother.
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I compliment her on her red gown, telling her that she looks as though she has just stepped off of the runway. She beams at me. I instantly know that we will like each other as she guesses correctly that my dress is fendi and I guess that hers is Marc Jacob’s.
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Matthew and Kim exchange a look and she smiles at him broadly.
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“Look at you dating a girl that wears fendi” she says proud.
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“Pure class” she smiles and we take our seats at the large marble table.
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"'Matty, Kraig. Kraig this is Matty my brother" Kim says introducing the young man behind her.
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"Oh hey, nice to meet you" Matty replies extending his hand.
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"We met last month he's a music student" Kim says softly. I notice Kraig stands a whole foot taller than Kim as she is vey petite. Kraig sports a typical suit with a black blazer and a white shirt, not a touch on Matthew’s pink shirt and charcoal suit.
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"Oh that's great Taylor here is studying music next year" Matty tells them.
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"Awesome nice to meet you both, what do you play if you don't mind me asking" Kraig asks me, interested.
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Kraig has natural blonde hair and blue eyes. He's a typical rocker and I'll bet he's in a band.
"I play guitar acoustic mainly a bit of piano and I sing too" I tell him and Steve nods. The guitar in Matthew’s kitchen is Steve’s and I briefly wonder whether he still plays.
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"Great I'm a guitarist too" he says smiling at me, a twinkle in his eyes. When musicians meet they usually want to launch into huge conversations about genres and skills, I can feel his anticipation to chew my ear off but I hold back because this is a family event.
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"You'll have to show Taylor your music books" Kim says smiling at me.
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"I'd actually really appreciate that" I say gratefully.
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Matty rests his hand on my knee under the table after we have ordered food. I ask for something I cannot pronounce, the name has the word pollo in which I am sure means chicken. I could have ordered for Matty I seem to already know what he will go for, as he chooses the ribeye steak and smiles down at me.
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Seated opposite me Kraig initialises me in conversation regarding music until the food arrives. Matthew occasionally strokes up my thigh and finds my stockings, I glance down at him and he winks at me. Kim tells us all about her latest runway that she organised for a university show; the theme was a summer flower garden and as she describes the outfits she has put together and designed I find that I am in awe of her creativity.
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Once our mains arrive I notice that Kim is the only one that goes for the veggie option. She doesn't make a big deal out of it, but she clearly does not like meat.
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I glance at Linda who is proudly watching Matthew, enjoying seeing him smiling with his sister as he asks her curiously about her vegetable based meal. He includes me in the conversation saying how experienced I am as a cook and I listen to her interested in the dishes that she makes as a vegetarian.
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After our mains have been cleared away Steve makes a toast. Steve is a man of few words so when he stands up holding his glass in the air we all look to him and remain quiet. He congratulates Matty on finding the love of his life and I almost cry. Matthew holds me in close and I smile up at him.
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Next Steve praises Kim on passing her first year at university with Kraig and congratulates them on finding a place together in the city. Kraig high fives Kim and they smirk at one another
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Steve, the bulky man that he is, gets down on one knee in front of Linda as she gasps clearly surprised. I clasp Matty's hand in mine, and he kisses it and then holds it in his own.
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“Linda, please would you do me the honour of becoming my wife” he says sincerely as she wipes her eyes.
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“Happy tears” she smirks.
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“Yes, Steve a million times yes” she smiles as he places the ring on her small hands.
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It's a beauty of a ring. Emerald set with two diamonds on a gold band. We all complement them on their engagement and Steve orders some more champagne.
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I visit the toilets to freshen up. Matthew pulls me in for a kiss before I go with my small clutch in my hands. The lavatories are up two sets of winding stairs and I pace myself feeling heady from the champagne.
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Finally reaching the large oak doors I let myself in to the quiet rest room and pull my phone out intending on messaging Rhea to tell her about my adventures. I begin the message after having reapplied some of my lipstick and sprayed enough Armani to freshen up the entire room.
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My phone vibrates as I’m typing, no I think in my hazy brain. Not another call, who could possibly need me tonight? At eleven pm when I’m out with the love of my life. My mother always told me not to answer unrecognised numbers, but with my curiosity peaked I decide to pick up the call.
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Glancing in the long mirror at my dress and sorting out the suspenders that Matthew unclipped I place the phone to my ear and wait.
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“Taylor” the southern voice says on the line and I recognise it right away. Whether it’s the champagne or something else entirely, my tummy flips and I wait for him to continue.
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“It’s Jay, I’m sorry I’m aware that you didn’t have my number saved, it’s just” he begins and I smirk.
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“Hey Jay” I say to him softly, why is the blonde Viking calling me?
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“Hey there” he says softly and I glance up at the mirror at my own reflection.
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“How did you get my number” I ask him with a wry smile on my lips.
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“Okay don’t laugh” he smirks and I can see his grin.
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“I spoke to Rachel and she said there was no way she would send me a girls number that was hotter than her. So then I asked Ross” he laughs and I can’t help it I laugh along with him.
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“He said, actually I wont repeat what he said.” He laughs and I roll my eyes.
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“So I asked Ryan” he finishes.
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“And voila here we are babe” he says.
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“Jay you went on a mission just for my number when you could have just asked Matthew” I tell him and he snorts.
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“I could not ask Matthew for your number babe” he smiles.
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“Ahh why Jay” I tease him.
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“Because he’s madly in love with you and he would tell me to well you know what he would say” he smiles.
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“Why did you want my number” I ask him.
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“To thank you for my curry takeaway of course” he says, all charm.
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“You could have thanked Matthew” I tell him.
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“Did Matthew make the curry ?” He asks sly.
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“No” I say softly.
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“Didn’t think so babe” he smirks.
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“Then there you are, thank you Taylor, for the best food I’ve ever had in my life.” He says softly.
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“Hmmm” he sighs and I sigh exasperated at myself for picking up the call. Mother is always right.
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“You’re welcome” I say intending to bring the call to an end.
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“Well I suppose now I’ve thanked you, I’ll let you get on with Matthew” he sighs.
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“Goodnight Jay” I say slight sarcasm to my voice.
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“Goodnight Taylor” he replies smiling before he hangs up.
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I glance at my phone dumbstruck and place it back in my bag with a sigh. I definitely should not have answered that call.
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I plaster a smile on my face and head down the winding steps back to the private dining area. As I reach our table I spot a sundae waiting for me. Matty winks up at me.
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"Did I do good" he asks smiling.
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I try some, it's chocolate brownie. I spoon some into his mouth.
"Perfect" I say and he smiles.
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He drapes his arm confidently around the back of my chair as I eat. Kim is speaking with Linda and Kraig is trying to engage Matty in a conversation. I am thinking about the call with Jay Gilbert Scott. Wondering about his southern accent, and moreover his intentions.
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“Taylor do you play live at all” Kraig asks me and I smile up at him.
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Kraig seems nice overall, a little rugged. He's one of those guys that plays up to the rock star stereotype.
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“Not really” I smile as Matthew rubs my back.
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"I'm in a band, we're playing actually in September. You should come" he says to me.
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"If you’d like you could play an acoustic set, you know a couple songs" he asks me and I smile at him warmly. Even though his tone is condescending he means well.
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"Wow that sounds great let me have a think and get back to you" I tell him looking at my ice cream.
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"Here's my details, let me know" he tells me handing me a card. Kim joins us again and I place his card in my bag.
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"Actually I also wanna use you if you don't mind, I've got a fashion show I'm directing next term. Will you walk for me ? Please say yes! Our uni's aren't that far apart, and looking at you I know I can design so many looks on you" she laughs.
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"Wow yes of course I'd love to do that" I tell her enthusiastically.
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"Great lots of dressing up” she claps her hands together.
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“I'll let you and Matty know" she smiles.
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Matty's hand travels up my thigh, just stroking.
"I'm happy for you both, mum" Matty says to Linda and she beams at him.
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"I'm happy for you both too Matthew. I thought it was never going to happen! But for everything to fall into place like this is just perfect. You both will be at the wedding I assume" she asks us.
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"Of course we will, mom" he says looking down at me.
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"I'd love to" I tell Linda.
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This has been a special evening and being a part of Linda's engagement feels important to me. Like I'm part of her family. I can only imagine how emotional the wedding will be.
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We all say our goodbyes and Matty takes me to the car for the drive home. He hasn't drunk but this is my first time on champagne and I'm definitely feeling happy.
"That was so nice" I tell him smiling.
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He laughs and hands me a cigarette as he starts up the car and switches the heater on.
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"They all love you babe" he says pulling out the car.
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"Look at you becoming a model and a singer songwriter in one evening, I'm proud of you" he says winking at me in the car.
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