Dayna almost didn't ring the gate buzzer, she was so nervous about this situation. She was really glad that Diana had talked her out of quitting, because she would miss Taylor's company, but when he was around, her heart pounded more loudly and her body tingled. Being in the same room with him messed with her head like crazy lately. She wondered how she was going to be able to spend the night in the same house with him. But that paper..she really, really couldn't ask for another extension, Professor Howard would have a stroke and give her a big, fat, red "F". She sighed and pressed the buzzer. "Come on in Day.." Taylor's voice came over the speaker. She smiled and drove through as the gate opened. Taylor met her at the door, cup of coffee in hand. "Hi angel. Thanks so much for letting me invade your space.." she smiled taking the cup he offered. He smiled back, "Let me take that Day, I'll just throw it in the guest room for you.." "Whoa, dollface! Lemme get my disk and books outta there first.." she laughed. "Sorry.." he grinned, sheepishly. He watched as she dug out her things and zipped her bag back up. "Okay angel, you can take it now." she smiled, sipping her coffee. She wandered into the family room, where Ike and Zac were while she waited for Taylor. "Hey Dayna.." they said in unison. "Hey guys." she looked around the room. "Where's your folks?" she asked them. "They're already in bed, Dayna. They don't stay up late unless they absolutely have to." Zac answered without tearing his eyes from the game he was obviously losing. "Crap!" he muttered and Dayna laughed. "It's only a game Zac. Reset it and kick the livin' hell out of 'em next time.." Zac laughed. "Are you always this logical?" "Just my nature Zacman. get used to it.." "I am. Hope you get your paper done on time, if Tay is buggin the crap outta ya, just hit him on the head." Zac said and he and Ike both laughed. "Zac Hanson! Give your poor prince charming of a brother a break. He's just helpin' out a damsel in distress whose professor will have her head if she asks for ANOTHER extension." she grinned with her hand on her hip. |
| "If you say so.." he grinned and went back to his game. Taylor came back in then. "Ready to start, Day?" "Sure angel. Hope ya'll cleared a path for me to walk in there." she joked. "Night guys.." she looked back at Ike and Zac. "Night Dayna." they answered, then looked at each other, an evil grin spreading across both faces. "Niiiiight ANGEL.." they teased in unison, and Dayna almost spit her sip of coffee out. Taylor shot them both a dirty look, hoping Day didn't see it. "I'm sorry doll. Do they tease you like that all the time?" she asked concerned. "Nah.." he answered, "Just when my Dad isn't here to save them from the ass kickin' they deserve." He grinned and opened the door, gesturing for her to go in first. She did so and he pulled out the chair for her, settling her in it. He proceeded to show her how to get into the program she needed, then grabbed a book and flopped down on the small couch. An hour or so later, Zac, and then Ike came in on their way to bed. Taylor was sprawled on the couch, still reading and Dayna was typing away. "Night ya'll.." she said absently, her fingers flying over the keys. "Tired yet Tay?" Ike asked. "Nah.." he said. "I'm into this.." Zac and Ike exchanged another knowing glance and went off to bed. |
| After Zac and Ike were actually in bed, Taylor snuck a glance a Dayna, who was bent over the keyboard and squinting. He quietly got up and went to the kitchen, and refilled her coffee cup. He brought it back to her and set it next to her on the desk. She jumped and looked up at him. "You scared me, angel. Guess I was concentrating a little too hard." She smiled, lighting up the room. Daylight, he thought. "Thought you might need some more caffeine, Day. You were squinting pretty hard." "Oh thank you. Yes, I do." she turned back to her work, sipping off her coffee. Taylor watched her face in amazement. He could almost see her thought process going on. God, she's beautiful, he thought to himself, not for the first time. Her long curly hair was down, and a few random blonde curls framed her face. Her skin was still tanned, but starting to fade since the weather had cooled some and she had to wear more clothes and spend more time indoors, because of school. Even sitting here in her baggy T-shirt, and faded, torn at the knee, jeans she looked like the angel she was always calling him. She stretched and tilted her head, rubbing her shoulder and neck. He moved behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and began to knead them gently. "That always feels better when someone else does it." he said softly. He heard her catch her breath and smiled. Then she relaxed and dropped her head forward. "You're right about that.." she said. "I'm almost finished. You really don't have to stay up with me, sunshine. You must be tired." "I'm okay. Can I read what you're working on?" he asked, leaning down to look over her shoulder. She couldn't even answer, his touch and his voice so close to her ear was making her head swim. "That's really good, Day." he said looking directly into her eyes, his face just inches from hers. "Maybe you should change majors, go into writing instead.." he said seriously. "That's sweet. Thank you. But I don't think so." she smiled and took a sip of her coffee to regain her composure. Taylor couldn't bring himself to take his hands off her shoulders but he knew he had to. He could tell she was getting uncomfortable, and he most definitely didn't want that. "Feel better?" he asked, giving her shoulders a final squeeze before letting her go. "Thank you, sweetie. You really DON'T have to sit here and hold my hand.." she smiled again. "I know, I was into that book anyway.." he said and sat back down on the couch. "Whatcha readin'?" she asked. He held it up so she could see the cover. "Oh. I read that one..do you have the next in the series? I looooved it. makes the one you're reading make a lot more sense." she said excitedly. "Ahh! Don't tell me.." he laughed. "Don't worry, sunshine. I'm not one to spoil a good story. But I'll lend you my copy when you're ready for the next one, if you want." "Cool. Yeah...thanks Day." he smiled. "You better finish your paper though," he teased, "or you'll have way too much time to read for fun." "Once again he's wise beyond his years.." she sighed and gave him a warm smile. "Back to it, then." |