Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Mom, I’m already interested in someone else. I don’t want to be set up.”
“Your father is right. You’re still seeing Reminisce.”
I drag a hand down my face. “Yeah, well. No. I mean, it’s complicated,” I say in frustration.
“Can you explain it to me?”
“I don’t know. I can try.”
She stands from her chair and leads me over to the sofa in the room. She pats the seat beside her the way she used to do when I was little and she wanted to have a talk with me. I remember those talks like they were yesterday.
“Okay, I’m listening.”
“Do you remember when I first brought Rem to meet you and dad? It was a few months after the first time I was wounded on the job.”
“Oh God, do I remember. I wanted you to quit then. I hoped you would.”
I clear my throat. “I took that bullet for Rem. They were shooting at her. She was the prosecutor on a huge case.
“They targeted her, but I was there to save her. The entire situation spooked her. It also pushed us together. I knew her from high school.
“Our schools played each other a lot. I’ve always had a thing for her. When we first hooked up, I thought I was getting my shot.
“I brought her here to meet you and Dad because I thought we were going somewhere. I hadn’t realized yet the toll everything had taken or that she associated me with the danger and her fears. She worries about me, far beyond what’s rational.
“That worry sometimes triggers panic attacks on top of the ones triggered by other things that stem from that event. Before you suggest it, she’s been to therapy. It works for a little while, then we’re back at square one.
“I want her, and I know she wants me. I just have to break through her fears,” I explain.
“Knight, that’s a lot to take on. It’s already been four years. Your father and I knew something was going on, but I never imagined this.
“Although, I can’t blame her. I’ve lost more than my fair share of sleep worrying about you. Are you sure this is something you want to pursue?”
“I have always loved Reminisce. Now when I think about it. I loved her from the first time I saw her.
“She looked at me and gave me this smile that lit up the entire room. My breath caught and no one else mattered after that. Then her boyfriend showed up.
“I wanted to make her mine then. Being assigned to protect her. Taking the bullet for her. Those were all signs of fate bringing her to me.
“I would swim across an ocean and back if that’s what it took to have her. I can wait out her fears. I will conquer them to love her,” I say honestly.
“Wow,” mom breathes with tears in her eyes. She nods and reaches to cup my face. “Maybe you should tell her that. Love is a powerful thing. It has the power to overcome fear.”
“I hope you’re right. For now, though we’re friends.”
My mother gives me a knowing look. “Knight, do you really believe that?” She snorts. “Even I know you better than that. You love her so you want to do what’s best for her, but you’re not going to keep doing this dance for long. It’s not in your nature.
“I’m surprised you’ve done it for this long. I admire the man you’ve become. Your character speaks volumes to who you are as a person. I think if you show her the real you. The one we all know and love, she’ll come around. After all, my boys are irresistible when they let out their charm.”
I release a chuckle, feeling a little lighter after our talk. She could be right. I’ve always taken a soft approach with Rem.
Maybe shaking things up will be a good thing. I have a lot to think about.
Reminisce
“Hey, Mommy,” I say as I step out onto the lenai where she’s sitting drinking tea.
The sun is beating down strong, but there’s an ever so slight breeze happening. Only my bougie mother would be out here with a tea set having tea in this damn heat.
I walk over and kiss both her cheeks, then move to sit across from her. She lifts her teacup to her lips, then takes a sip before placing the cup back on the saucer and sitting them on the table.
As she sits back, she looks at me appraisingly. I have half a mind to get up and leave. I can see in her eyes she’s about to be all up in my business.
“I’m glad you could stop by,” she says.
“I wasn’t expecting your call. What’s up?”
“You haven’t been yourself for a while now. Do you want to talk about what’s going on with you? Neither of those boys your father tried to set you up with are your type, but I’m hearing you’re entertaining them both,” she replies, lifting a brow.