The Christmas Plan (Sapphics in the City #4)

11. Taylor

11

TAYLOR

Taylor's apartment had become a complete mess after just a couple of hours of getting ready for the agency party. Of course, most of it was Taylor’s clutter.

Before she could put on her dress, Taylor had to finish all of her makeup and her hair. She had set herself up in her marble-tiled apartment, trying not to get distracted by the gorgeous woman in the other room.

Across the apartment, Mac quickly threw on her suit and combed her hair. Now, she stood anxiously in Taylor's massive living room, whose windows overlooked Central Park as she waited for Taylor to finish getting ready.

With her hair in delicate curls and the subtle face of makeup completed, Taylor walked from the bathroom to the living room. Over the old record player, Mackenzie had insisted on playing Frank Sinatra’s Christmas album.

Before she even crossed the room, Taylor knew what Mac would say as soon as she turned around – considering she was only wearing a sleek black bra and a high-waisted, black G string.

Sure enough, when Mackenzie heard the soft padding of Taylor's feet on the polished hardwood floors, she whipped around. “Holy shit.”

“How does my makeup look?” Taylor rolled her eyes and she tried to redirect her girlfriend to the topic at hand.

Mac scoffed as she tried to tear her eyes away from Taylor's toned, muscular body. “What a silly question to ask when you walk in here looking like this. Maybe we don’t have to go to the party after all.” Licking her lips, Mac’s mind was immediately in the gutter.

Snapping her fingers, Taylor sighed. “I'm being serious, we don't have all day.”

Mac walked closer and placed her hands on Taylor's hips, the feeling of her calloused hands on Taylor's soft skin sending a wave of excitement through her body.

More serious now, Mac examined Taylor's makeup and hair. “I think it's perfect, subtle but really brings out your eyes. And your hair looks luscious as always.”

Trying not to let her cheeks flush from the compliment, Taylor patted Mac’s shoulder. She could feel the sturdy muscle even under the layers of suit fabric. “Thank you.” A part of her wanted to cave and abandon the party entirely to enjoy a night in with her hunky girlfriend.

But from the dining room table, Taylor could hear her phone buzzing. She had no idea who would be calling at this time of night on a weekend so close to Christmas.

When she strode across the room and read the name on her phone screen, panic set in. “Fuck. It's Kim, what am I supposed to say?”

Mac offered a gentle shrug. “The truth?” Historically, Mackenzie was a horrible liar, the truth flowed out of her like water through a sieve.

Taylor laughed as she picked up the hunk of metal from the long table. “That's gone so well in the past.” With a link to Mac, Taylor brought the phone to her ear and accepted the call. “Hey, mom.” Taylor tried to sound stern.

Through the phone, Kim sighed. “Hello, daughter. I was just calling to check on you and make sure you're still coming for Christmas.”

Nodding, Taylor turned toward her windows and looked out at the city skyline and central park stretching out before her. “Yep, we’ll be there.” Of course, Kim hadn’t quite accepted that Mac would be in attendance too, but she’d get there eventually.

Besides, Mac wasn’t one to back down from an uninterested in-law.

Clearing her throat, Kim grew nervous. “How is the search for a new agent coming?”

It was almost a surprise that Kim would be so bold. But Taylor knew she wasn't typically one to shy away from a difficult conversation.

Looking over at Mac, Taylor knew that as na?ve as Mackenzie was, Kim deserved the truth. “Actually, Mac is taking me to her agency's holiday party. There is an agent there that I've been interested in for a couple months.”

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. If Taylor wasn't wrong, Kim was standing by the beach. A cold wind must've been hitting her face off of the Long Island coast.

Eventually, Kim relented. “Don't forget your worth. We'll talk later.”

The line went dead and Taylor wasn't entirely sure what to think. It was a step in the right direction, at least she had accepted the reality of her mistakes.

Mackenzie walked up behind Taylor and wrapped her arms around Tay's waist. Resting her chin on Taylor's shoulder, Mac planted a delicate kiss on the exposed skin. "You okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Taylor nodded. “I guess it's the best I could've hoped for.”

Her eyes were drawn to the glowing Christmas tree at the corner where the entirely glass walls met. Its warmth and comfort had become a staple in the apartment, turning a bachelorette pad into a home. In all honesty? Taylor wasn't so sure she ever wanted to take it down. It would always be the first tree she and Mac decorated together.

But looking past the tree, a flurry of snowflakes started to fall on the balcony just outside the apartment.

“I guess we should get going, just in case the snow gets bad.” Taylor bit her lip.

With a nod, Mackenzie released her grip and walked Taylor back to the bedroom where her silver, sparkling gown hung on a hook near the bed.

Mac giggled. “This might be an essential part of leaving.”

Taylor groaned as she started to slip on the dress. Once it was on, she knew there was no going back and she would actually have to go to the dreaded party.

Suddenly all of her fears came rushing back.

What if no one signs me?

Am I damaged goods?

Is this the end of my career?

But as her mind spiraled out, Mac delicately laid the fabric over Taylor's head and helped drape it down her body. Once the gown was zipped into place, Mac’s strong hand cupped Taylor's shoulders and reminded her why she had made the choice.

No amount of sponsorships or time on the court would ever be worth giving this up.

Besides, maybe she’d be able to sign with a queer agent who would understand what she’d been through. It might end up being the perfect solution.

Slipping her feet into her 5-inch, black, red-bottom heels, Taylor took a deep breath and smiled at Mackenzie. “Let's get after it.”