Turning the Page Read Online Free PDF Page A

brown ones, framed by impossibly thick, dark lashes.
    "I'm rambling, aren't I?"
    "What? No. Oh, no. Absolutely not." Melanie finished her wine in one gulp, mortified that
    she'd been caught staring. What was wrong with her?
    "What about you?" Taylor asked, graciously overlooking Melanie's embarrassment. "Sam said you left your job. Why? If you don't mind my asking, of course."
    Melanie met Taylor's gaze for a long moment. She felt so...what was it?...at home in those
    eyes. She couldn't remember ever being so comfortable with somebody. She hadn't told
    anybody but her secretary her real reason for leaving Rucker and Steele, not even her own
    parents, but she felt so safe with Taylor. So secure. It was strange and comforting at the
    same time.
    She took a deep breath and told Taylor the whole story, from beginning to end, leaving nothing
    out.
    "Wow," Taylor said when Melanie finished.
    "Yeah. Crazy, huh?"
    "What? No. I admire you."
    "You do?"
    "I admire somebody who has the guts to make a change. Most people wouldn't realize what you
    did until they were in their forties or fifties and had already wasted most of their lives on
    their job. By then, it's almost too late. Or, they realize they're unhappy, but are too lazy or
    scared to do anything about it, so they stay unhappy forever. I think you did the absolutely
    right thing."
    "You do?" Melanie repeated.
    "Without a doubt."
    Melanie felt a great burden lifted from her shoulders at Taylor's words. She didn't
    understand why the approval of this young woman was so important to her, but it was. She'd
    only known her for several hours, but her opinion already meant a great deal to Melanie. What
    a strange day, she thought with a smirk.
    Taylor stood and began clearing the table. "It's getting late. You must be exhausted from
    your drive."
    "Now that you mention it..." Melanie stretched and stifled a yawn.
    They cleaned up in companionable silence, Taylor showing Melanie where various dishes and
    utensils belonged.
    "So," she said when they finished, "I'l come get you on my way to the gym in the morning? Is nine o'clock too early?"
    "That's perfect."
    Taylor turned back as she stood in the doorway. "Thanks for dinner."
    "Thanks for the wine and the company. I really enjoyed myself."
    "Me too. Good night."
    "Good night, Taylor."
    Melanie watched as Taylor made her way across to her own house, the moonlight bathing her in
    a soft glow. She had finally managed to close the door when she was struck by the realization
    that she was actually focused on the gentle sway of Taylor's hips.

Chapter Five
    IT WAS PRECISELY nine a.m. when Melanie reached for the doorknob to answer the brisk
    knock. Taylor smiled brightly, looking fresh-faced and sunny in her navy blue gym shorts and
    bright yellow T-shirt. Her white socks accentuated the beginnings of a tan on her legs, and
    Melanie noticed Taylor's hair was still slightly damp when it had been pulled back and fastened
    behind her head.
    "Do you always shower before you work out?" she asked.
    Taylor's smile faltered slightly, and the pink tint from the previous evening returned in full
    force, creeping slowly up her neck.
    "Um... no. Not always." She decided an immediate subject change was in order. "Ready to go?"
    "Wel , I have a small problem. Sam didn't come home last night."
    "Surprise, surprise."
    "I can't get into the bookstore."
    "Sure you can." Taylor slipped through the doorway and into the kitchen, Melanie on her heels.
    She opened one of the cupboards to reveal several hooks supporting various sets of keys. Each
    had its own label, neatly printed in block letters. "Jeff Mason may have been an idiot, but he
    was an organized idiot." She handed the keys marked STORE to Melanie with a grin. "Ready
    now?"
    "You're a lifesaver."
    "Nah. Just observant."
    Sunday morning traffic was minimal as they tooled along in Taylor's Honda Civic with the
    sunroof open, the sun reflecting off of their sunglasses.
    "How'd you sleep?" Taylor