Page 19 of The Christmas Plan

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 naïve 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.”