Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
But he did care.
The question was, how much?
“He’s tried to call a couple times,” I admitted after a few moments.
“And?” Fiona asked.
“And, I was too scared to answer. Too afraid of what he might say.”
Maddie tucked an arm around my shoulders. “It’s okay to be afraid,” she said. “It’s worse to feel regret. To live in fear and never know what could’ve happened.”
A broken laugh tumbled from my lips. “Thanks, Doctor Maddison,” I said, and she laughed with me.
“Anytime,” she said. “Now, drink up.”
* * *
The next day I felt lighter in a way I hadn’t in a month. Thanks to the girls’ night, I felt like the fog over my mind had cleared and my heart was marginally put back together. I’d even showered and put on a little makeup today.
My phone rang, and I instantly answered it when I saw Fiona’s picture. “Hey, babe,” I said. “Want to do lunch?”
“That would be fun,” she said. “But I have something else in mind.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, you have a little time off now that you just turned your book in, right?”
“I’m taking at least three weeks off,” I said. “I need the breathing room to think about the next book’s plot.”
“Perfect! Girls’ trip.”
“Where?”
“That’s…a surprise,” she said, something hitching in her tone.
“Cool,” I said. “I love surprises.”
“I know you do,” she said, but she still sounded unsure. “I’ll text you the deets. Be ready in two hours, okay?”
“Two hours?” That didn’t give me much time.
“It’ll be worth it, babe,” she said. “Trust me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Perfect. Pack for the beach!”
We hung up and I sprinted to my bedroom. Thank God all the time inside had given me plenty of time to stay on top of my laundry. I packed quickly, then grabbed a coffee before I was due to arrive at the airport. Brogan must’ve sprung for a private plane, because Fiona’s instructions led me to where I’d gotten used to traveling with Asher.
I needed to call him. I’d told the girls last night that I would, but with the new trip taking over my day, I hadn’t had a chance. Maybe once I boarded, I’d have enough time to at least try.
After security cleared me, I climbed the stairs of the private jet, entering before I halted in my tracks.
Asher stood in the middle of the aisle, wearing Hawaiian print board shorts and a graphic T-shirt that looked a little ridiculous on him.
And I couldn’t help it—despite all the pain, the uncertainty, the heartache—I laughed.
“Did you lose a bet to Gareth?” I asked, somehow managing to make my body move toward him.
19
ASHER
“No, I didn’t lose a bet to Gareth.”
“Then what are you doing here?” Daisy asked, shoving her sunglasses to the top of her head.
Damn, she looked good. Sure, her eyes were red and puffy, almost like she’d been crying, and there was a definite look of shock in those wide brown eyes, but the sight of her made my heart start beating again. Her flirty little sundress swished against her legs right above the knee and her hair was up, but a few tendrils had escaped her bun.
“Fighting,” I answered over the sound of the engines.
She looked fucking perfect, and the impact of how much I’d missed her these last few weeks hit me like a semi-truck, knocking the breath from my lungs.
“Fighting,” she repeated, her arms going limp. Her bag slid to the floor of the small aisle.
The attendant closed the door behind her, making the cabin instantly quieter, but Daisy didn’t even turn to look. Her gaze was focused on me, and the Nirvana T-shirt I’d donned for the occasion.
“Fighting,” I repeated. “As long as you’ll let me.” I shoved both my hands into the pockets of my Hawaiian print board shorts and shrugged. “I’ve never been the kind of guy to kidnap a girl, so I’m really hoping you’ll consent.”
“To fighting?” Her brows rose.
“To taking off.” I motioned to Sarah, the flight attendant as she picked up Daisy’s bag.
“I’ll just stow this,” Sarah said, popping it into a cabinet, and then backing away through the door that separated the main cabin from the service one. “Precheck is done and we’re ready for takeoff, but how about you just buzz us when you make your decision?”
I nodded. “Thanks, Sarah.”
“Anytime, Mr. Silas.” She mouthed good luck, before retreating, shutting the door behind her.
“This isn’t a girls’ weekend, is it?” Daisy asked, glancing around the cabin. “The others aren’t coming.”
“Nope, it’s just you and me.” I grimaced. “That is, if you decide it’s okay to just be you and me.”
“I’m really confused right now.”
“That’s because I’m really shitty at grand gestures.” I raked my hands over my hair.
“Is that what this is?”
“It’s what it’s trying to be.” I sighed. Fuck, I sucked at this. “Okay, we have a pretty tight flight plan here, so let’s make a deal.”