Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“You like him.”
“Of course I like him. What’s not to like? He’s sexy, smart, funny, kind, and so many other things. He’s impossible not to like.”
She raises her hand. “I can attest to that. I married his brother. They’re all pretty amazing.”
“Right?”
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
“What am I going to do about what?”
“Court!” She laughs. “You like him. Tell him. See where this goes.”
“Oh, no.” I shake my head. “Nope. Not happening. I’m not foolish enough to believe that a man like Merrick Kincaid would be happy with a plain Jane woman like me.”
“The hell you say?”
I turn to find Ryder Kincaid, Jordyn’s husband, and Merrick’s older brother. Well, one of them standing behind me. I groan out loud. “You could have warned me,” I hiss at Jordyn.
“I didn’t know,” she hisses back. “Babe, what are you doing here?”
“We finished up the job we were on. I thought I’d come and get Finn.” He walks to his wife and kisses her lips. Then turns to me. “You.” He points an accusing finger at me. “What’s this shit I hear about my brother being too good for you?”
My shoulders slump. “You can’t fault me for speaking the truth.”
“Courtney, Merrick would be lucky to have you in his life. He is lucky,” he amends.
“Told you.” Jordyn sticks her tongue out at me, and it breaks the tension.
“I’m a realist,” I tell them. “I’m the quiet bookworm.”
“And?”
“What do I have to offer a man like Merrick?”
“What kind of man is that?” Ryder asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
Jeez, maybe this is where Merrick gets it. “He’s charming, and sexy, and a catch.”
“Okay. You’re beautiful, sweet, and a little delusional.” He gives me a pointed look. “Never put yourself down like that.”
“I can’t let myself even consider that this could be more than what it is. He’s helping me. We’re faking, and if I allow myself to want him, to let a sliver of maybe we could be filter into my mind, it will be harder on me when this is all over.”
“I understand that,” Ryder says gently. “However, there’s a difference between guarding your heart and making yourself believe you’re not good enough.”
“Must run in the family,” I mutter, making him grin.
“I’m going to say one more thing, and then I’m taking my son home to do manly things and you ladies can finish the girl talk I interrupted.”
“Fair enough.” I smile.
Ryder looks at Jordyn, and his eyes soften. “Never stop fighting for what you want.” His eyes find mine. “Fight for what you want. If it’s my little brother, don’t give up. If it’s not him, that’s fine, too, but never stop fighting.” With that, he leans in close to Jordyn. “Love you, baby. I’ll see you when you get home.” He saunters off to the back, where Finn is taking his nap.
“He’s right, you know. Ryder and I, we didn’t get to our happily ever after easily. I let my mother control me. She threatened Ryder and his family. It’s a long story, but the end result is the same. Ryder never once gave up on us. He fought for us, and now look where we are.”
There’s sadness in her eyes. I want to ask her more, but I don’t want to impose. She’ll tell me her story if and when she’s ready.
“I already know it’s going to kill me when we walk away from this. It’s been a couple of weeks, and I already look forward to our time together.”
“I guess you have to ask yourself if the risk is worth the pain?” The door chimes, alerting us to a customer. Too bad Ryder didn’t use the front door. She stands and gives me a quick hug before going to help whoever just walked into the store.
All of this talk about Merrick has him on my mind. Who am I kidding? Lately, he’s all I’ve been thinking about. Grabbing my phone, I send him a text. It might not be me fighting for him, but it is me putting myself out there, letting him know that I’m thinking about him.
Me: Hope you’re having a great day.
His reply comes instantly.
Merrick: Better now. There are lots of long hours this week, trying to get ahead of the rain they're forecasting next week.
Me: Is there anything I can do to help?
Merrick: You just did.
He follows that up with a row of winking emoji.
Ryder and Jordyn have given me a lot to think about. I know the majority of my insecurities come from me being a people pleaser. I’m always putting others above myself. I know this about me. I just don’t know how to stop. It’s who I am.
The door chimes again, so I slide my phone back into my pocket and get back to work.
It’s Friday and the boutique just closed. I have no plans for tonight. Merrick’s working late again. He has every night this week. I could call Chloe and see if she wants to grab dinner, but then an idea pops into my head. I know Merrick’s been exhausted. I can hear it in his voice when we talk.