Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“I think that’s what we all want to know,” Heath agrees, and we walk into the deli.
“Shit,” I curse under my breath because standing together at the counter are Dad and Jinx.
“Double shit,” Heath says, and we steal a quick glance at each other.
The two of them are sharing a joke as they take their drinks and walk over to a table.
“I guess we’re eating together,” I say under my breath, and we walk over to where they’re sitting and take the two empty seats.
“Hey, boys, I hear you’re getting ready for the big day,” Jinx says after we say hello.
“It will be here in no time,” Dad answers for us. “Jinx was just telling me he’s back from France.”
“Yeah, that must have been incredible. Did you get to do much sightseeing?” I ask, and I swear I see Jinx’s eyes narrow a fraction.
“You know how Elena is. We saw the inside of restaurants and clothing stores.” Jinx laughs at his own joke, then changes the subject. “So tell me, how is the wedding planning? I had no idea it would be so fast.”
“You’re coming, right?” my dad cuts in, and Jinx nods.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He looks at Heath and then reacts like something has just occurred to him. “Will you be taking a honeymoon? You can always count on me to keep an eye on things while you’re gone.”
“I’m sure I can manage,” I say, and Jinx blanches.
“Of course, I still somehow forget there’s two of you.” He sighs. “Speaking of two, is it Meadow or Briar that’s been in the office so much lately?”
Even without looking at Heath, I can feel his body change subtly at the mention of his fiancée and her being in the office. She’s there because she was hired as a forensic accountant to go over our books and find out who the hell has been stealing money.
“A little of both,” Heath answers, and maybe nobody else notices the slight edge to his voice, but I do.
“Well, I guess true love was bound to win in the end,” Jinx says and pats my dad on the back. “I know you’ll be glad when these two finally make you a grandpa.”
“I’m counting down the days.” My dad sounds proud as he speaks the words, and I realize that maybe I am too.
I used to think about the future and imagine Heath and me living next door to one another and raising our kids together. It’s just now occurring to me that we’re closer to that being a reality than a dream. Last night while I stayed awake and held Briar in my arms, I began making plans. When the sun came up, I knew what I needed to happen, and now I just need to get Briar on board.
“Well, I won’t keep the three of you. I need to run into the office and catch up on some emails so I was only here to grab a to-go bag.” Jinx stands from his seat as the cashier calls out his number.
“I’ll be in after lunch,” Heath says, and Jinx waves his goodbyes.
“Uh.” My dad makes a sound as he watches Jinx leave.
“What?” Heath and I ask at the same time.
“It’s nothing.” Dad waves it off, but I press him.
“No, what is it?”
“It’s just that before you got here, he was telling me about how late they got in. I’m surprised he’s going into work.”
“Did he say anything else?” Heath asks, and he must feel the same tingle of suspicion I do.
“Not really. We didn’t talk long before you walked in, but he did ask me more about a couple of old accounts. The funny thing is, as soon as you guys got here, he changed the subject.” My dad laughs and waves it off. “I guess he didn't want you two to think that he didn’t know what he was doing.” Dad gets up and goes to the counter to order his food, and Heath and I look at one another.
“Or more likely he didn’t want us to know what he was doing,” I say quietly, and Heath nods.
“After today, I think he knows we’re on to him,” he says.
I nod and let out a deep breath. “Fuck.”
FIFTEEN
BRIAR
“I can’t wait for this wedding to be over,” I hear Mace grumble.
Slowly I open my eyes and try to wake up. I don’t remember coming home last night. I think I passed out at Meadow’s after being knee deep in wedding crap. The last thing I recall is Heath’s living room.
Meadow and I spent the night catching up on reality television and eating junk food while we ticked off a few items the wedding planner asked us about. I knew it was one of only a few nights left that Meadow would be single. Even though she’ll always be my sister and my twin, now she’s going to get another half. I’m sure they’ll have jokes I won’t get, and I’ll hate and love them both for it.