Amazed at the relief, the happiness that flooded her at his smile, she grinned back.
So that was what a first kiss should feel like.
Amazing and worthy of shooting stars and firework displays.
Jack made her feel good inside, made her feel alive, made her feel as if she was a whole woman, as if she knew exactly who she was and what she wanted from life.
She wanted to wrap her arms around herself and give herself a hug.
And maybe a high-five, too, that she’d kissed him and it had been perfect.
Holding hands, she and Jack went back to the main stage, spread their blanket, and watched the next act as if nothing monumental had happened between them. When the show finished they made their way to the medical staff camping area.
Taylor’s heart kerthunked with each step they took into the campground, with each campsite they passed, drawing them nearer and nearer to theirs.
When they stood outside her tent, they paused, looked at each other, a thousand questions bouncing between them.
Jack’s gaze glittered. “’Night, Taylor.”
Disappointment hit that he wasn’t planning to spend the night inside her tent.
She wanted him inside her tent.
Inside her. She wanted to loosen his hair from its band and run her fingers through his silky locks. She wanted so much.
So much it stunned her.
“’Night, Jack,” she whispered back.
A smile still on his face, he winked, then closed the distance to his tent.
Taylor watched as he unzipped the flap, glanced her way one last time, then disappeared.
Part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and follow him, but another part wasn’t willing to risk ruining the best night she’d had in a long, long time.
Maybe ever.
CHAPTER FIVE
JACK’S GAZE DRIFTED to Taylor yet again. It was early morning. The sun was just starting to rise over the hundred-acre Tennessee farm where the festival took place each year. Soon they’d wake a few who had spent the night in the medical tent, not due to any emergency but who’d partied too much and had needed to sleep it off.
Jack never minded that. Part of their job was to provide a safe place for festival goers.
Like the young woman whom Taylor was currently settling into the cot. A couple of friends had dropped her off, saying she wasn’t acting right. Most of the patients they saw weren’t in any real danger, but there were always those few.
“Busy morning,” Taylor mused as she handed him the clipboard with her notes.
Skimming what she’d written, he nodded. “Each night of the festival brings a few more than the night before as the heat, booze, and lack of sleep kick in.”
“Guess it’s a good thing we’re off tomorrow, eh?” she teased.
“Are you planning to stay at the festival tonight or go back to Amy’s apartment?”
The surprise in her eyes said she hadn’t thought about leaving the festival.
“What am I asking? This is your first music festival. Of course you’re staying. Awesome bands are scheduled for tonight.”
“Um...right.” She smiled. “You know me and music so you may have to point them out.”