Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Just like it was playing tricks when I thought I saw Malcomb.
Actually, I felt him before I saw him. I could feel the heat of his stare on my skin. I immediately turned and quickly glanced around the room. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted a set of blue eyes staring back at me. Certain it was him, I leaned to the left in hopes of getting a better look.
But in a blink, those beautiful baby blues were gone.
I looked around the entire bar, but there was no sign of him. It was as if he’d vanished in thin air, and it bothered me more than I cared to admit. In fact, his not being there disappointed me more than when Danny turned cold on me.
I wanted to see him.
I wanted him to look at me the way he used.
I wanted him to hold me, kiss me, and make love to me—just like he used to. But those feelings of want and need were laced with hurt and anger.
As much as I wanted to forget, the day he ended things haunted me. Being turned away felt like a stab in the back. Malcomb completely ignoring my letters only deepened the wound.
It was those memories that turned my heart cold and gave me the strength to force the longings I had for him out of my head.
And then, only then, was I finally able to drift back off to sleep.
I planned to sleep the day away, but Mom dashed those plans when she came into my room and hissed, “Are you going to answer that?”
“Answer what?” I grumbled.
“Your phone,” she fussed. “The stupid thing has been vibrating off and on for over an hour.”
“I’ll get it in a minute.”
I heard her footsteps grow closer, then a shuffle at my bedside table. The phone landed next to me as she fussed, “It could be important.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ve got it.”
I rolled over with a huff and grabbed my phone. I squinted my eyes as I looked at the screen and groaned when I saw that it was Jackson calling. I threw my arm over my head, covering my eyes as I answered, “What?”
“I’ve been calling for over an hour.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Where the hell have you been?”
“In bed.”
“Ooohhh, so you had a big time last night.”
“I did. In fact, I had a great time.”
“Oh, really?”
“It was one of the best nights I’ve had in a while.”
I went on to tell him everything about my night, both the good and the bad, and once I was done, he chuckled and said, “Damn. I hate I missed it.”
“Me, too. I think you would’ve enjoyed it.”
“I’m glad you had a good time. You deserve it.”
I giggled as I told him, “You sound like my mother.”
“Well, your mother’s a smart lady, just like me.”
“Gotta love your confidence.”
He laughed as he said, “It’s part of my charm.”
“Yes, it most certainly is.”
There was a moment of comfortable silence before Jackson spoke up again. “So, I umm... I have some bad news.”
“Oh, God. What is it?”
“You gotta promise not to get mad.”
“Just tell me.”
“Michael’s wife went into labor last night, so he’s not going to be able to go to the conference tomorrow.”
“Okay. How is that bad news?”
“I have to go in his place.” There was a long pause before he added, “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it to the wedding.”
“What?” I sat up and immediately regretted it when my head started throbbing. With a dramatic groan, I fell right back on my pillow and whined, “I can't believe you're going to bail on me like this.”
“I’m not bailing, Londyn. I’ve gotta work,” Jackson defended himself.
“But you promised me you’d go with me.” I felt bad for giving him a hard time, but I really didn’t want to go to Skylar’s wedding alone. “Can’t you do something?”
“I wish there was, but I’ve got no choice here. I’ve gotta go.” I could hear the sincerity in his voice as he said, “You have to know that I’d never intentionally disappoint you, but this is a career opportunity that I can’t pass up,” Jackson explained.
“I know... I know.” I was disappointed that Jackson couldn’t come, but it wasn’t the end of the world. I’d had a good time with Skylar and the girls. I had no reason to think the wedding wouldn’t be more of the same. “And I understand. I really do.”
“I’ll make it up to you,” Jackson assured me.
“No need. It’s really not a big deal,” I mumbled. “I’ll tag along with my parents and try to slip out early.”
“And if he’s there?”
“Then, he’s there. I’ll figure it out.”
“Or you could try talking to the guy.”
“Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and see how the night plays out.”
“Okay, but you better keep me posted. I don’t want to spend the whole weekend worrying about how you’re doing.”