Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“I deserve the perks of being his wife? Luxury yachts, spontaneous trips to Europe . . .” I fluff my hair. “Spa memberships to use anytime I want?”
She cracks up laughing. “I was going to say that you never signed a prenup, so it’s kind of the same thing. And trust me on the luxury yachting. It’s overrated.” Luna would know, but I’d love to find out for myself one day.
“Technically, I never married him either, so I’m not getting carried away thinking I’m winning half his estate. I wouldn’t do that to him anyway. I don’t want his money. I want my house, and right now, he’s the only thing standing between me and the biggest purchase of my life, my little garden, and the kittens I want to raise.”
“Listen,” she says, scoping out the restaurant as if we’re surrounded by spies. “You need to play this just right.” Her green eyes return to mine, and she quirks a brow. “Sexy. Talented. Top of his game. He has everything going for him.”
“Including a soon-to-be ex-wife.” I hold up my glass. “Cheers to that.”
I’m side-eyed instead. “Let’s think big picture here—”
“I’m not asking him for anything other than my freedom.”
“Have you seen him lately?” She grabs her phone, ready to prove a point.
“I don’t need to see him except when he’s at the county office sweet-talking Roberta into fixing this error.”
Glancing up, she asks, “Who’s Roberta?” Then she squeals with a bounce in her chair. “See? Look at him!” Between gritted teeth, she grinds, “He’s gorgeous.”
I stare at the photo on her phone, finding myself smiling just looking at him. He really is an attractive man. More than . . . He was back in school as well. I had such a crush but did not have the nerve to act on it.
He did.
I remember the bonfire after graduation, the moon hanging over the horizon, and taking a walk with Shane down the beach to get away from the ruckus of the party. I haven’t thought about that night in so long that it feels more like a dream to me now. Pressing my hand over my chest, I can feel my heart beating faster the moment I recall his lips touching mine.
One kiss. That’s all we shared.
Of all the men in the world, I end up accidentally tied to him. Go figure.
“What happens now?” she asks, picking up her menu like this is totally normal. That’s Hollywood for you. While she decides between the guacamole salad and the chicken tacos, I’m back to spinning, unsure what to do. Or order.
“I’ll wait to see if he returns my call.”
“You called him?”
“Called. Multiple times, but I didn’t want to sound desperate.”
“I think we’re past that point.” Tugging the basket of chips closer, she adds,
“Why rush things? You should enjoy the title of Mrs. for a while.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying the chaos of my life.”
“It’s quite exciting compared to your normal day-to-day.”
“True, but I’d rather deal with bickering retirees at Parkdale than be caught up in this mess.” I pluck a chip from the basket, already knowing it’s going to be hard to return to my patients when I’m so close to losing it all. “I don’t need this kind of excitement. I need this resolved, or the house will go to the next highest bidder.”
“Only you would luck into accidentally marrying a rock star and not want to take advantage of the situation.” She smiles from the heart, saying, “You’re too good for LA, Cate.”
“Then why do I always fall for jerks?”
“Because they were fun when you met them.”
“And then they show me who they really are.” The last one sent me an invoice for an Uber because I chose a restaurant in Pasadena, which was too far for him to travel to meet me. That’s his version. My side is that he thought he’d get laid on the first date because he bought me a burger at Hal’s Burger House. I never paid. Asshole. “I’m starting to think Prince Charming doesn’t exist.”
“I gave up on that fairy tale a long time ago, but for you, I hope it comes true. Maybe Shane Faris—”
“Shane Faris,” I whisper, not meaning to say it out loud as I roll his name around my thoughts. The images of him at the bonfire are still blazed into my memories.
“What are the chances?”
I think about it, toying with the idea of a coincidence. “One in a billion based on his fame. The odds are better, I suppose, that I’ve met him. Still, what are the chances . . .”
Turning to the server, she orders, “I’ll have the chicken tacos with a guacamole salad on the side.”
When a fresh basket of chips is delivered, Luna immediately grabs one, and says, “I can’t resist.” I laugh, though my mind is still on the coincidence that Shane Faris and I were put on the same marriage certificate by accident. Tapping her glass, she pulls me from my thoughts. “We’re having another, right? Because I need to tell you about this date I went on last night, and you need to tell me how you know Shane Faris. You kind of left that very important tidbit out.”