Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
And I hope she knows I love her and would fight for her, too.
“Of course, you can ask.” I exit the house and lock it from the keypad. “He was … Dad, you know? Totally up Aurora’s ass. He did manage to get a few words out directly to me, so that’s a plus. But it’s so awkward.”
At least we cut it short early on so they could go to Urgent Care. Silver linings and all.
Mom sighs. “I know, honey. I know how hard it is for you to navigate that relationship, and I wish more than anything that it was easier for you.”
I pop open my hatchback and sling my tool belt inside. Then I drop it closed.
“Do you know what I think?” I slide in the driver’s seat and promptly shut and lock the doors. I’ve seen too many crime documentaries. My head rests against the seat. “I think I’m tired of worrying about him.”
“I hate that, but I understand it.”
“I left their house last night and just felt so … heavy. It felt like I’d been in a fight, and I don’t need that mess. It’s hard enough to get through a day without thinking negatively about myself, and I know many of my friends feel the same way. We look in the mirror, and what’s the first thing we see? Crow’s feet. We kick ourselves for spending too much on coffee. I feel guilty because I don’t call you enough. It’s a hundred things a day.”
“You’re absolutely right, Carys. I’m proud of you for being so self-aware that you realize this.”
After quickly checking my surroundings, I start the car and back onto the street. Then I head toward my house.
“I don’t understand why the burden is on me to try to fix a relationship that I didn’t break,” I say. “Because that’s what it feels like. I must always go to him for dinner or a holiday.” I laugh. “I say that like it’s more than a few times a year.”
Mom breathes into the phone. “It can only burden you if you let it, sweetheart.”
That’s easier said than done.
Although, it is something to consider. Why do I refuse to chase men who don’t deserve me, yet I keep coming back for more with my father? He clearly doesn’t deserve me either. And I know it. Why do I do this to myself?
“Let’s change topics,” she says. “What are you doing for dinner?”
I groan. “I just want to go home, take a shower, and go to bed. But I also want carbs.”
“How about swinging by my office? I’ll order Chinese, and we can have a little office picnic. I know some of the girls here would love to see you, and I want to talk to you about getting life insurance.”
“Why? Do you plan on killing me soon?”
She laughs. “No, but we’re now offering whole life insurance, and it would be a great thing for you to invest in while you’re still young. We’ll talk about it when you get here.”
The last thing I want to do is engage with people, but the promise of Chinese food is tempting—and so is the unspoken promise of a hug from my mom. Sometimes that really can make everything seem better.
“Fine. But can I get ginger pork buns and Mongolian beef?” I ask.
“Absolutely. How long until you get here?”
“Twenty minutes or so.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
“Bye.”
I turn to circle back to Mom’s office. My fingers tap against the steering wheel as I stop at a traffic light. A slow smile spreads across my face as a warmth creeps into my belly.
“Nothing is too pretty to eat.”
Good God.
I’ve never had a man order a meal for me. They always stare at me until I choose something. Gannon just took the initiative and removed the pressure, which was so lovely. Thoughtful. Manly.
And the look he gave me when I tried to pay? Swoon.
It crossed my mind that if I get hired at Brewer Group, I might encounter Gannon during the business day. What if we got stuck on an elevator? Locked in a closet together? Trapped in his office during a wild winter storm?
I laugh, the sound filling my cute little Gremlin.
“You know you can’t actually jump his bones,” I remind myself. “Tate would kill you.”
But maybe it’d be worth it …
My phone buzzes with Tate’s ringtone, and I roll my eyes at his timing.
“Hey, buddy,” I say. “What’s up?”
“Be glad you’re an only child.”
I laugh. “Why? What happened?”
“Just be glad.” He groans. “Anyway, what are you up to? Sounds like you’re in the car.”
“I just finished work and am heading to Mom’s office for dinner. What about you?”
“I’m heading to Jason’s. Mimi misses me.”
“I bet she does.” I giggle.
Jason’s wife’s grandmother, a woman they call Mimi, latched on to Tate the day she met him. He, of course, charmed her, and I’m pretty sure they’d be dating if there wasn’t a sixty-year age gap. He goes to Jason’s, where Mimi lives in a guesthouse, and occasionally hangs out with her. It’s not surprising, though. Tate likes anyone who’ll coddle him and tell him he’s cute.