Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I forced myself to smile. “No, no, you didn’t upset me. I just need a moment or two. And I really should get back and open up.”
As soon as I stood, Brody put his arm around me. “I already paid for your lunch, ladies, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to steal my wife away.”
I could see the worry etched on both of my sisters’ faces.
“Steal away!” Addie said in a sad attempt to sound chipper.
Brody pressed his hand to the small of my back as he guided me out of the restaurant. My mind was so crazy with thoughts of Jack that I didn’t even think to say goodbye to my parents.
“Is Harlee working at the shop today?” Brody asked as we headed down the sidewalk. I had walked to the restaurant since it wasn’t that far from Coastal Chic.
“No, she isn’t. Why?”
The crease between his brows showed he was worried about something.
“You don’t think Jack is really stupid enough to do something to you?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Not me.”
I stopped walking and faced him. “Me? Do you think he’s going to do something to me?”
“I’m not sure, Sutton.”
Something was clearly wrong. “Brody, what are you not telling me? I can see it on your face; you have something to say.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you…and honestly, I don’t really want to.”
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. “It has to do with Jack?”
He nodded. “I’m not going to tell you here on the street. I’ll tell you tonight. Meanwhile, do you think maybe Harlee can come and work with you this afternoon?”
I jerked my head back. “You don’t think I should be alone? I have a restraining order against him.”
Brody looked into my eyes, and I could see the conflict there. He wanted to tell me it was okay, but he also wanted to have someone with me. “That restraining order hasn’t stopped him yet.”
A shiver ran through my body. “I’ll call her and see if she can work today.”
His body instantly relaxed a bit. “Let me walk you back to the shop.”
I put my hand on his arm. “Don’t be silly, it’s in the opposite direction of where you need to be. I’ll be fine.” I reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Be careful, and I’ll see you later tonight, okay?”
He placed a quick kiss on my lips. “I will be, and I’ll see you soon. I love you, Sutton.”
Not in a million years would I ever get tired of hearing those words from him. “I love you too.”
I watched as he turned and headed toward the waterfront. A sudden feeling of awareness came over me, and I quickly scanned the area, only to find life going on as usual. People walked up and down Main Street, going in and out of the shops. I shook away the uneasiness and quickly headed back toward Coastal Chic.
Pulling out my phone on the way, I called Harlee.
“Hello there!” she said.
“Hey, Harlee. Can you come in and work with me this afternoon?”
“Of course. When do you need me there by?”
“Just whenever you can make it. I’ll explain more when you get here.”
She paused for a moment. “Is everything okay?”
I chewed on my lip as I picked up my pace. “I think so, but honestly, I’m not a hundred percent sure.”
“I’m leaving now. See you in a bit.”
“Thanks, Harlee. See you soon.”
Later that night, I stared in shock at the copy of the marriage certificate in my hand.
Brody reached for my other hand. “Hey, are you okay?”
I lifted my eyes to meet his. “He was married already? Before he married me?”
He nodded. “He got this girl pregnant and asked her to marry him. She was here on a student visa, originally from France. From what I can tell, I think they met when he was there on a trip working with his dad. Then she followed him to the States.”
I nodded. “His father’s accounting firm has another firm in Paris. I don’t know much about it. I never got along with Jack’s parents, so we didn’t talk much.”
“She’s a couple of years older than Jack. She graduated the same year she got pregnant, then went back to France to have the baby.”
Closing my eyes, I cursed. “Both junior and senior year, he went over there for a few months. Told me it was because of a study abroad program.” I shook my head and laughed. “I am so stupid. I can’t believe I didn’t see it.”
“Maybe you didn’t see it because you didn’t actually care.”
Glancing over at Brody, I nodded. “I think you’re right. I was always happy when he left to go to France. I never even cared how long he was gone for.”