Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
But as we start up the stairs to the apartment, I tell my heart to take half a dozen seats and chill. Anthony’s a smooth talker, yes, but he’s going to have to perform some serious verbal gymnastics to convince me to stay at his place tonight, let alone commit to exploring a relationship.
Which reminds me…
“I need to text my friend,” I say, tugging my phone from my purse as he shuts the front door behind us. “Tell her that I won’t be to her place for another hour or so.”
He nods tightly. “All right. An hour is generous. Thank you. I’ll do my best to make the most of it.” He bends down, scooping a purring Pudge into his arms. “I’ll go get him a treat. Then, we can talk.”
I nod, my pulse speeding faster as I text Sydney, warning her of the change of plans and promising to text or call as soon as I’m on my way.
She texts back almost instantly—Okay. Hopefully he can explain himself. Like I said, he doesn’t seem like a bad guy, but this whole situation is…bizarre. And I want better for you than a bizarre liar, even if the liar in question is some kind of financial genius who’s richer than God.
My brows shoot up. Richer than God?
What on earth?
But anyway, Sydney continues, good luck, honey. Let me know when you’re on your way. I already have the guest room ready for you, and I’m ordering five different types of ice cream now!
I’m about to text Sydney to demand more information—and to ask her to get Butter Pecan, the most comforting ice cream flavor—but stop myself.
I don’t want the truth from Syd. I want it from the man pouring two glasses of water from the pitcher in the fridge while my cat twines through his legs.
Pudge is clearly still a big Anthony fan.
I don’t know if the same can be said for me, but I’m ready to listen.
I just hope this story isn’t as bizarre as Sydney seems to think it is. I don’t want to be with a bizarre liar, either, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t praying for a reason to give Anthony a second chance.
I don’t want to leave this man, not tonight, or any night in the near future.
chapter 21
ANTHONY
I’ve never needed the perfect words more than I do right now.
I’m desperate to make Maya understand, to make her stay…
Seeing her in the process of being mugged—even if it was by an ultimately harmless kid with a toy gun—turned me inside out. The thought of not being close enough to protect her, of having no say in whether she’s going home to an apartment with a doorman in a safe neighborhood or to a sketchy street in Red Hook, makes me even crazier.
So instead of the perfect thing, I lead with, “No matter what happens tonight, please let me lease you an apartment in Chelsea. My treat, just for a year or two, while you get on your feet. I need to know you’re safe, even if…”
I trail off, refusing to finish the sentence.
I can’t go the rest of my life without Maya in it.
I just can’t.
She arches a brow as she slides onto the stool on the other side of the island, but doesn’t seem completely shocked by the offer.
That makes more sense when she murmurs, “So you really are richer than God? Sydney just texted that you were. She didn’t get into the finer details, but…” She glances around the apartment, her brow furrowing, before shifting her gaze back to mine. “So, what is this place? One of your rental properties or something?”
“It’s an Airbnb. I don’t have rental properties,” I say without hesitation, determined to answer her questions with complete honesty. “I own a few single-family homes and some commercial property in Red Hook, but the homes are all for family. I don’t charge them rent.”
“So that was true, too.” Her eyes narrow. “Is that why you bailed this morning? You were worried about being recognized by someone you knew in the area?”
I nod. “Dave Mackey is an old friend of the family. I actually worked for him part-time in the summers for a while during undergrad, and he did the inspections on all my properties in the area. When I saw it was him, instead of Kyle…”
She makes a soft, considering sound. “That would have been embarrassing for both of us.” She glances away with a pained expression. “Though feeling angry and betrayed might have taken the edge off all the bad news. After all, compared to being played for a fool by the man you’re falling in love with, what’s a few hundred thousand dollars in unexpected repairs?”
“You aren’t a fool,” I say, moving around the island. I want to cup her face in my hands, to hold her steady so she can’t look away from me, but the tension in her shoulders makes it clear she isn’t ready for me to be that close.