~Taylor
"Let's go over to the table," I panted as a song ended. Deanna nodded.
"I need a drink." She slid her arm around my back and we walked over to the table. "Where are Gabby and Isaac?" she asked.
I glanced around. "They're probably dancing," I said. "It's getting so crowded in here. We probably just can't see them."
We sat down and I poured out some lemonade for both of us. Deanna took her fork and tinkled it against her glass. A couple people nearby glanced over at her. "I'd like to make a toast," she declared.
"Deanna!" I exclaimed, embarrassed.
"Shhh," she hushed me. The music was loud enough so that almost no one paid attention to us, but I lowered my head, still grinning. "Look up at me, Taylor Hanson." I met her eyes. "I want to make a toast to Taylor because he is a very special man and has lifted me out of the rut my life seemed to be in."
"Here, here," a voice from the next table commented. I laughed, raising my glass to meet Deanna's. Suddenly something caught my eye. I glanced over her shoulder but what I had seen was gone. Nah, couldn't have been, I explained to myself. I turned my attention back to Deanna.
"I love you," I whispered, gently kissing her.
I passed and gazed at the scene unfolding in front of me. Zac was spending some time back at the hotel while I explored an Italian market. Endless stalls lined both sides of the road, filled with colorful cloth, knick-knacks and all kinds of food. I stood confused, not knowing where to go first.
"Lady, lady!" a man wearing an apron yelled, approaching me. "You buy?" he questioned, thrusting forward some fruit. "Is the best tasting!"
I smiled and, realizing I hadn't eaten breakfast, grabbed some money out of my pocket in exchange for soaking in the sights, smells and sounds. In the square, I found a group of children racing around with a flock of pigeons. In their hands, they clenched fistfuls of grain that could be bought at a nearby stall. With some spare change, I purchased a bagful and joined the laughing children in their attempts at feeding and capturing the pigeons. They seemed to have the skill down to an art, but my feeble attempts attracted the attention of all involved, and it wasn't long before all their action had stopped so they could watch me.
"Signora, signora!" a young boy shouted. I looked his way to see him shaking his head. "No, no," he said, imitating my attempts. "Yes, yes," he declared, positioning his hands in a cup under the bird's belly. "Yes, yes," he repeated as I imitated him. In no time, I had caught a pigeon. All the children clapped for me. Laughing, I said goodbye to their playful group and headed off.
I looked over all the pottery and dishware, wondering if I could find something for Gabby and Isaac's wedding present. All the dishes and bowls were beautiful, but I wanted something special and unique. Suddenly, a set caught my eye. I smiled, knowing it was perfect. All the items were glazed and covered with small musical notes and staffs. Immediately, I bought the set and headed back in the direction of our hotel.
Once I had gotten Isaac out of sight, I let him turn around, keeping his arm in my grasp so he wouldn't instinctively go running into the middle of the situation.
"Uh, isn't that Avery?" I asked gently. Immediately, Isaac tensed up as he saw Avery getting up from a small table with a dark-haired man who must have been in his twenties.
"What's she doing here?" Isaac hissed.
"Question is, how did she get in?" I wondered aloud.
"There are plenty of ways," groaned Isaac. "Bribes, fake IDs. We gotta get her out of here though."
Nodding, I agreed. But then a thought hit me. "Isaac, however she got in, it was illegal. And that man probably arranged it. Somehow, I don't think it would be so smart to march over and break up this little party."
Isaac narrowed his eyes, submissing to my point, but fighting nonetheless against leaving his younger sister with that man.
"Let's give this a few days," I urged. "See what happens, gather facts and then figure out what to do."
Reluctantly, Isaac agreed.
I pulled away from Taylor after his kiss. "Tay, let's get out of here. I need to talk to you."
"Okay." Taylor stood, grabbing my hand, and we walked out into the cool night air. As we walked to nowhere, I couldn't help feeling overwhelmed. Taylor and I had known each other for only a short while, and he already loved me?
"Taylor, why did you say you love me when you don't?" I finally asked.
Taylor stopped and looked at me. "Don't you feel it?"
I was confused. "Feel what?"
"The spark between us. It's there, Deanna. I just know you are something special." He traced my face with a finger.
I smiled. "Yeah, I feel it. But, Tay, we don't know anything about each other."
"So? Let's go find a coffeehouse and sit all night and talk. I can't fight this feeling, Deanna."
I played with his hands. "Neither can I." Taylor pulled me to him and gave me a gentle kiss. I put my arms around his neck, holding him tightly.
When Taylor finally pulled away, we both spoke the same word. "Wow."
"Morning, sweetie," I said the next morning, putting my magazine aside.
"Hey, honey." Gabby stopped and laughed. "We sound married already."
I smiled and went over to her, putting my arms around her slim waist. "Did you see Avery come in last night?"
"Nope. I plan on talking to her later. Did you see Taylor?"
Just then, Taylor came in, humming brightly to himself. I turned away from Gabby just in time to see Taylor trip over his own feet. I looked at Gabby. I had never seen him looking so foolish!
"Hey, Taylor," Gabby finally said.
"Morning!" Taylor answered brightly.
"What's gotten into you?"
"It's official: Deanna and I are in love!"
My jaw dropped.
"But, Tay, you've only known..."
"I know. It's amazing!" Taylor plopped down at the table.
Gabby looked at me and pulled me aside. "This was what I was afraid of."
"What? Does this have something to do with what you said last night?"
Gabby nodded. "The first girl Taylor finds is the one he decides he loves. He's wanted someone for so long..."
"Gab, it's not like that," I assured her, putting my hand on her arm.
"You don't know what Taylor's said to me about this. You don't understand!" Gabby whispered. I could tell she was getting angry.
"Calm down, Gabby," I said, pulling her into my arms.
"He's gonna hurt her," Gabby choked. I knew she was remembering the pain she went through before me. I tightened my grip on her and rocked her back and forth. If Gabby was right, Deanna could be in emotional danger.
