Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
He opened his mouth and she held up her hand.
“A woman you’re concerned about.” She shifted on the stool, adjusting the long flowing skirt she wore. “Which begs the obvious question, if you’re so worried about her, why don’t you just go see her and find out for yourself how she’s doing?
“We had this conversation and I told you to turn on the charm and work your way out of the rebound thing, but now I’m going to adjust. Get your ass over there and check on the woman. Settle your mind. She’ll see you’re a good guy but that’s not the purpose of the visit. Those things are secondary benefits.” His sister stared at him, her lips lifted as she tried not to laugh.
He decided to humor her. “And what, may I ask, is the primary benefit?”
She lifted her hand and flicked his head with her thumb and forefinger.
“Ouch! What was that for?” He rubbed the side of his head where it stung.
“Stop driving yourself crazy and go see her. I guarantee the second you look at her, you’ll know whether or not you’re in.”
He was in, all right. Way over his head.
“Thanks, sis.” Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “If I haven’t said it lately, I appreciate you.”
She smiled. “And you can show me by buying me lunch.”
Once they finished, he walked Fallon out to her Uber and dialed Samantha to find out where she was and when they could meet. Her phone went direct to voicemail.
Now that he’d made the decision to see her, he didn’t want to wait. A quick Google check and he called her office, using the directory dial to reach her.
“Hello? Samantha Dare’s office. Brandy Bloom speaking.”
He recognized her name as Samantha’s PA. “Is Samantha in?”
“I’m sorry. She can’t come to the phone. Who may I say is calling?”
“It’s Dex Sterling.”
“Dex!” Brandy said, as if they were best friends. “Samantha left for the day. Did you try her cell phone?” she asked.
“It went to voicemail. Can I leave a message?”
A few seconds of silence followed before Brandy answered. “She actually went home for the day. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind me telling you, she wanted to pack up douchebag’s things. And since you’ve played white knight for her before, I should add I just saw Jeremy walk out the door and he didn’t look happy.”
He narrowed his gaze at the woman’s surprising revelation. “Are you sure she’d want you telling me all this?”
“You? I’m positive. You can find her at…” She proceeded to ramble off Samantha’s address. “In case you don’t have it. Oh, and I’ll have the doorman let you up. I have the code to add you to her list. Nice talking to you, Dex. Bye.”
Brandy disconnected the call, leaving him with his phone in his hand and Samantha’s address on repeat in his head.
* * *
The locksmith worked on the front door while Samantha sat in the kitchen with her brother, relaying all the information she’d been keeping from him. By the time she finished, Ian had run his hand through his hair so many times, the strands stood on end.
“No prenup? Have I taught you nothing?” He rose from his chair in her living room, pulled on his tie to loosen it, and began to pace. “Thank God you didn’t marry the motherfucker or I’d have to have him killed.”
“Ian!”
“What? Am I wrong?” Before she could do any more than shake her head, he held out his arms and she walked into them. He wrapped her in his brotherly warmth and kissed the top of her head.
“It’s going to be okay. I texted you the best business lawyer in Manhattan. Call him as soon as you can.” He released her and she stepped back, grateful for her big brother. No matter how nervous she’d been to tell him, he’d come through for her in the end.
“Okay I’ve got to get going but if you need me, don’t hesitate to ask and I’ll come back.”
She smiled. “Give those kids a hug from Aunt Samantha, and thank you, Ian. Love you.”
“I love you too.” Turning, he left her apartment.
The locksmith finished his job a few minutes after Ian departed. Samantha paid him and closed the door, turning the deadbolt with a satisfied smile on her face.
She poured herself a glass of wine, because what was a good purging and cleansing without a celebratory drink and putting Taylor Swift on speaker? Then she began her mission: throwing Jeremy’s things into large boxes she’d had delivered to the apartment before she left the office. Her ex was a neat freak, so she tossed his things in haphazardly, not bothering to fold the shirts and sweaters, all the while envisioning the aggravated expression on his face.
Her plan was to text and tell him to come get his things and if he gave her a hard time, she had no problem calling the police to have him evicted. After all, his name was not on the lease.