Tainted Love by Cate Lockhart

She didn’t know that, and he didn’t either. And still nothing. She knew he loved Buddy. Ben was not one of those ‘He’s just a dog’ kind of people, but still. He also knew her, and knew that she would be scared and worried and her parents were out of town as well. So really, she didn’t have anyone as far as Ben knew. And he still couldn’t check in?
    ‘Everything okay?’ Taylor asked looking over at her.
    No. My fiancé is being a dickhead, but I’m glad I’m here with you. At least you act like you care.
    ‘What? Oh, yes. I was just making sure, I didn’t miss any important emails.’
    ‘So how do you like working at the shop?’
    ‘Do you mean with the antiques or for my parents?’
    ‘Okay, fair enough. Both, I guess.’ Taylor laughed.
    ‘Actually, the answer is the same for both. It’s kind of satisfying to see something old turned back into something beautiful. We have really nice clients. It’s a pretty laid back job. As far as my parents go, I’m very lucky. Both are nice, hard-working people. They have old-fashioned morals but are still open-minded. I guess that’s why I don’t like drama a whole lot. I’ve never really been around it, and I don’t like it.’
    ‘Is there drama now?’ Taylor asked.
    She had let that comment slip out accidently with realising. She was not about to start discussing her relationship with this guy that she was lusting after, so she came up with a good diversion quickly.
    ‘No, not really. I guess I was talking about Buddy, and maybe whatever is going on with the company’s finances.’
    ‘Ahh, got you. I was afraid, yesterday might have been a problem.’
    Wow. This guy doesn’t miss anything. Maybe that’s an accountant thing, scrutinize the details. ‘Yesterday?’ Abbi was going to try the dumb blonde routine. That worked didn’t it?
    ‘Yes, lunch? When your fiancé came it. You could cut the tension with a knife.’
    ‘Ah, yes. Well, he was just disappointed that I wasn’t available. We haven’t had much time together recently, as in the last couple of years, and well, it was just unfortunate.’
    The dimples framing his mouth flashed with a mixture of guilt and mischief.              ‘You could have easily asked me to leave. Why didn’t you?’
    Because I would rather have spent the time with you then Ben! There it was, out in the open – in her mind anyway. She’d been honest with herself. Maybe Buddy getting sick was the catalyst to show her that she was making a mistake with Ben. It was nothing to do with Taylor. Though being around him didn’t help matters. No today she had seen a snap shot of her future with Ben and she hadn’t liked it one little bit. She was sure there was someone out there more suited to Ben’s lifestyle but unfortunately it wasn’t her.
    ‘If you don’t mind Taylor, I’d rather not talk about it at the moment.’
    ‘No worries. But if you need to talk I’ve got pretty broad shoulders.’ He rested his hand on her knee.
    Okay, I’m having a hot flush now. Abbi cleared her throat, ‘Thanks, but I’m pretty sure I know what I’m going to do. The time for talking is pretty much over.’ She gave a faint smile. ‘Taylor, I really do appreciate your help this morning. It was very thoughtful.’
    ‘You mum pays me by the hour, so I’m making out like a bandit.’ He looked over for a reaction. Abbi stared at him, and he burst out laughing. ‘I’m kidding, Abbi! We really are going to have to work on getting you to lighten up.’
    Abbi just smiled and shook her head. She reached back and stroked Buddy, who was sound asleep in his blanket on the back seat.
    ‘Do you want to take him home?’ Taylor asked.
    ‘Oh no. I really do have to get to the shop and open up. I won’t be able to get anything done, if he’s at home alone.’
    ‘Fair enough. But I’d be more than happy to watch over him while you get on with things.’
    Abbi’s heart swelled. She liked how easy it was being around