Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137443 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137443 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
I shoot him a grateful smile on their way out. Buzzing sounds from Pierce’s pocket, but he makes no move. I don’t ask questions until it happens again a few minutes later.
“Any reason you’re not answering your phone?”
“There’s no one I need to talk to.”
“Could be Maya.”
“It’s not Maya.”
“Well, it could be important,” I try again.
“If it’s important they’ll leave a message.”
I bite my tongue and work quietly, sighing in relief when the last truffle looks perfect. They go into the fridge until the wait staff picks them up later. Pierce watches me, but it’s clear he’s lost in thought.
I hang up my apron, tug my hair loose from the bun, and walk to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Talk to me.”
“About what?”
“I know something is spinning in your brain. You’re keeping secrets.”
“No secrets, just working through things.”
“Things like Connie having another shit-fit now that she knows my return is imminent?”
The wrinkles in his forehead crease, and his eyes go cold. “We’re not talking about her.”
“We don’t have to talk about her, but we do need to talk about you. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
I hold his gaze, silently telling him I’m not backing down. He blows out a frustrated sigh and drapes his arms around my shoulders. “She’s definitely not happy.”
“Outside of the obvious, what’s been happening this week?”
“The messages started when she found out I was in Aspen. She accused me of being an irresponsible father and all the other bullshit she could come up with. Today, when she found out about the new hotel, it tipped her scales of insanity. It may have finally hit her that you and I are going to get married and build our lives in Charleston.”
“A lot of people have been questioning how we were going to make this work. It’s a relief to finally be able to talk openly.”
“Yeah, but she’s not like most people. I can only guess she assumed you’d have to give up your career and business to marry me, and in her whacked mind, she was waiting for our relationship to fail. Now, I can’t get a read on what she’s thinking about us, but she’s made it clear she’s out for blood.”
A cold chill races across my skin, and I grasp him tighter. “What does that mean?”
“Only time will tell, but she’s starting with money. She’s assuming this job with Brasher is a goldmine and financially beneficial to me.”
“She’s demanding money?”
“The last message I bothered to check was financially driven. Who knows what the others say? None of that matters. My financial situation is locked. I pull a salary, and bonuses are based on company success, similar to the other executive team. She can take me back to court, but it won’t matter. John and I already prepared for that scenario.”
This is not a surprise. Pierce and I discussed our finances a while ago. Even though she’s not a family attorney, Stephanie was pretty confident Connie wouldn’t be able to demand more payment from Pierce. But it doesn’t matter because Pierce’s investments and portfolio are strong. “You’re holding something back.”
“I’m concerned about my kids.”
“That’s understandable. Why won’t you talk to me about it?”
“Because you have much bigger things happening.”
The memory of our trip to the airport weeks ago snaps in my head, remembering the emotional vulnerability that came out. He’s keeping all this to himself to protect me. “Please, don’t shut me out. I’m your partner. You can’t keep telling me only the good things happening and keep the bad hidden. That’s not how this works.”
He searches my face, dragging his lip through his teeth. I know I’ve made my point when his stormy eyes clear and he nods. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“But, for now, this conversation is over. We have a celebratory party to get ready for. She’s not ruining that for us.”
“Agreed.”
“Before we go, are you absolutely sure I can’t fuck you on that table?” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
I slap his chest, shaking my head furiously. “No! Let’s get you out of here before someone hears you.”
He sweeps my feet off the ground and spins me around, his lips against mine. The heaviness evaporates but not before I make a mental note to call my mom tomorrow.
It’s time she goes on Connie watch.
Chapter 32
Pierce
Connie: Our plans changed. The kids will not be able to join you today.
Each time I reread the message, my blood boils hotter. This was expected, but there was hope she’d follow through. Plans changed my ass. Technically, it’s her week, so I can’t do shit, but seeing as it’s Thanksgiving, we agreed that I could have Maya and Cole for a few hours. In return, I would do the same at Christmas while they were with me.
Not only did she do this on purpose, she played me. I was headed back to Aspen for the holiday. The only thing that could change my plans was the chance to have time with the kids today and enjoy it with my family.