Who I Am With You (Imagination #10) - Staci Stallings Page 0,226

there was no better example of that than her early encounters with Nelson freshman year, back when he was a gawky, awkward kid with too much hair and not enough face. Yes, sizing people up too quickly was her specialty. Helpless was far more Paige’s style. It was a sad, depressing thought, but it was true.

And she fell asleep Wednesday night wondering just where that left her.

All day Thursday, Taylor had thought about what to say to Greg and how to say it when they got to dance class later. She’d even thought about calling him or texting him, but that was taking the coward’s way out. No. She needed to apologize and to explain the fits and starts her heart did about Nelson at awkward and inconvenient times. That wouldn’t be easy, but she knew Greg would understand. He, of all people, knew how ridiculously high maintenance she could be sometimes and how she could make a royal mess out of things without even trying. He would forgive her and everything would go back to the way it was. That much she knew.

Thursday was a blur so hazy that when Greg got home after work, he didn’t even think about what day it was or why no one was home. Instead, he emptied the cereal box into a bowl, poured the last of the milk in, and took it to his room. At this rate, he would end up with a roomful of dirty dishes. But he didn’t have the energy to care.

All he could really think at that moment was that Friday’s 12-hour shift was going to kill him outright. But at least if that happened, he wouldn’t have to deal with whatever this was he was now living.

“We missed you guys on Tuesday,” LaChelle said when Taylor got to the dance class. Once again, she was surrounded by four girls who were looking at her like she was some kind of rock star or something. No wonder Greg had been so annoyed. She was annoyed by it.

“Yeah, we’re pretty busy these days,” Taylor said, and she glanced over at the empty corner. Their corner. But Greg wasn’t here yet, and she hoped he would hurry up and get here before… Too late. Movement at the door snagged her attention.

In came Nelson and Paige followed by Clara and Ryan. Ten seconds later, Lauren and Wes arrived as well. The only good part of it all was that meant Greg couldn’t be far behind.

“I hear that,” LaChelle said. “We’re supposed to start decorating the ballroom tomorrow.” Her eyes widened. “You know, we could really use the help…”

More movement yanked her attention to the door, but it was only Marco and Amelia, not Greg. Taylor’s heart absurdly fell, but she quickly shook herself out of that.

“Oh, they’re here,” Taylor said, breaking into the awful idea of decorating with Alpha Chi. “I’d better go.”

“K. See ya after class.”

Taylor nodded. However, when she started over to her side, she realized she was going to be over there all by herself. Trying not to look awkward about it, she tipped her head to get Clara’s attention. Clara seemed safe. All the others, not so much.

When Clara glanced her direction, Taylor made a face and looked around.

“Where’s Greg?” Clara mouthed.

Shrugging, Taylor indicated the others with her eyes. As Marco reviewed the basics they had gone over the previous week, Clara ducked over to Wes who glanced at Taylor. Okay, this was officially getting awkward. Where was Greg already?

“Working,” Clara mouthed. “He’s working.”

“Tonight?” Taylor mouthed back, and Clara shrugged.

“I’m sorry,” Marco suddenly said, and both Taylor and Clara snapped into model-citizen mode. “Can I help you?”

Taylor was one split-second away from apologizing.

“No,” the guy lurking at the door said, and her gaze slipped over to it. It wasn’t Greg, so her interest waned quickly. “They said the Valentine’s mixer dance class was here?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Marco said. “Did you… Do you have a partner?”

The guy looked truly discombobulated at that question. “Uh, no. They didn’t say that. Was I supposed to…?”

Everyone in the class was looking at the poor guy who looked ready to run.

Marco glanced over at Taylor who suddenly wanted to run as well. “Well, we do seem to have someone in need of a partner. It’s Taylor, right?”

“Oh. Uh, y-yeah. I…” Well, this had gone all the way past awkward and right into truly horrible.

“Is your… Greg coming tonight?”

Her Greg? What did that mean? “No. Uh. I think…” She glanced at Clara