Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Maybe,” Anne says a little more seriously. “But maybe not. It's not like this is a common situation. You two already had a sort of relationship before you knew your father was going to hire him for this job. Doesn't that factor into anything?”
I nod. “It's definitely made things harder,” I admit. “He’s even more amazing in person, and he was already pretty damn amazing through text.”
“Well, tell me this,” Luna says. “What if, on one of the times he asked you to meet up, you did? You had a date, realized you liked each other, then what? Would things be progressing?”
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. “If things happened organically like that, I don’t doubt it at all. It's just easy with him. He's smart and funny and can get under my skin in the best of ways, and he’s sweet to that stray cat I love. But that's not how we officially met.”
“Technically you two met at a masquerade party two months ago,” Lyla reminds me.
I tilt my head, unable to argue with her there.
“Exactly.” Luna nods at Lyla and at Anne, who clearly agrees from the way she's nodding too. “So why should a little thing like him being hired to protect you deter things? None of this has been typical, so why do the typical rules have to apply? I'm not saying if he's making you uncomfortable that you pursue it, because if he is, then that's a whole other story—”
“Never,” I say. “I feel safe with him.”
“Then I think you should stop shackling yourself into these rules you think you have to abide by.” Luna eyes me.
“I agree,” Anne adds. “You're both consenting adults. And as long as you set boundaries, if you need any, then there should be really no reason why you're keeping a barrier between you two.”
When they lay everything out like this, it’s really hard to remember why I didn’t invite him back to my place after our dinner a few nights ago. I’d wanted to, but when he said he was going to follow me home and then leave, I lost all my courage. This is completely uncharted territory for me, especially since we’ve already slept together before. I didn’t want him to feel obligated or that I’m using him for convenience.
“I agree with both of them,” Lyla says.
“I'll think about it,” I finally say, and they clap with delight.
“Keep us posted,” Anne says.
“You're bringing him tomorrow night, right?” Luna asks.
“I was going to ask you about that,” I say. “I know I responded to your and Brad's invitation to the fundraiser before I had a plus one. A mandatory plus one,” I continue. “Knowing him, he'll want to make sure he's got eyes on me in a new location.”
Hell, he’s in his car outside right now, giving me the safe space to enjoy this time with my friends without worrying if Spencer will show up.
“Oh, I bet he wants to have eyes on you,” Anne says, waggling her eyebrows, sending us all into laughter again.
“Please bring him,” Luna says. “You know Brad won't mind. The more the merrier.”
I smile at my friend, loving the way her eyes light up every time she mentions her once best friend and now boyfriend, Brad. I always thought they were perfect for each other, and I'm so grateful they recently figured that out.
“Okay, then,” I say, taking another bite of my eggs. “I’ll bring him.”
We fall into easy chatter after that, laughing and joking, our time together doing absolute wonders for my soul. Not that I haven’t been having plenty of fun with Owen, but with the stalker situation going on, my practice, and my conflicting feelings around Owen, it was a lot. And there’s nothing like a good girl session to make me feel normal and empowered again.
A knock on my door sounds just after six p.m., and I'm just sliding my last earring in as I hurry to open it.
I swing open the door, any form of greeting dying in my throat the second I set eyes on Owen.
His muscular body is draped in a midnight-black suit, making the ink on his neck all the more striking, his glacial blue eyes molten as he looks me up and down.
“You look spectacular,” he says, eyeing my dress, a dark blue sleeveless number with a slit that travels high up my thigh.
“So do you,” I say, finishing securing my earring before I grab the clutch I laid on the entryway table earlier. “Are you ready?”
“I am if you are,” he says, offering his arm.
I take it, unable to stop the flutter in my heart as he leads me down to his car, holding my door open for me and going as far to ensure I'm buckled before he closes it and heads to the driver's seat.