Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
After a breathless moment, Kat’s steadying presence soothes my apprehensions. She takes a deep breath and, to my amazement, simply states, “I knew he had questionable things in his past, but it doesn’t matter. What counts is who he is now, not what he did before moving to Midnight Falls.”
Her unwavering support brings a wave of emotions crashing over me, and I feel a powerful urge to clarify things, both for her and for her brothers. Taking a deep breath, I gather my thoughts. This is my chance to clear the fog, to reassure them their sister is safe with me.
“Elliot, Henry, Kat,” I begin, feeling the warmth of their expectant gazes on me. “It's true I once had a different life, where I was tangled up in dealings that were, let’s say, on the darker side of the ledger. But those days are behind me. When I moved here to Midnight Falls, it was about crafting a life I could be proud of. A life where I knew I’d leave past shadows behind.”
I pause, letting the weight of my words settle, and then continue, focusing on Kat, my heart laid bare. “I’m head over heels in love with your sister. She’s incredible. Every day, she makes me want to be better, to grow into who I’ve always aspired to be, and I’m gonna spend the rest of my life making her happy, whether you like it or not.”
Emotion simmers between us, a bubbling kind that feels like truth and hope wrapped into one. Kat reaches for my hand, a silent pledge, her touch both firm and reassuring.
“Not everything is black and white, Elliot,” Kat states quietly, her voice grounded in conviction as she steps closer and wraps her arm around my waist. “I know Tony’s past may seem worrying, but I love him. We love each other, and that’s the thing that counts the most.”
Her admission hangs in the air, delicate and brave, and I feel my chest swell with a fiery warmth. Something shifts within the small office, the lingering tension dissolving as Kat and I exchange a look branded with the intense emotions we feel for each other.
Elliot, on the other hand, remains pensively silent, digesting the reality of the situation. I see him wrestle through layers of protectiveness before he finally exhales, his shoulders slowly relaxing. Henry, meanwhile, simply nods, like something has clicked in place for him.
“Well,” Henry says, breaking the pause with his usual easy grace, “if Tony makes you happy, I’m all for it.” His lightness acts as a balm to the serious undertones, allowing a certain levity to resurface.
Elliot scratches his chin, clearly still working through the changes of the night but manages a faint smile. “Guess I’ll hold off on personally roadside-towing Tony for now.”
Everyone chuckles, and although the tension hasn’t entirely left, it’s laced with acceptance. I know there are hurdles yet to leap, but this feels like the start of genuinely bridging two essential parts of my life.
As we head back out to the bar, I’m ready to show Scared Shotless to Elliot and Henry, but Kat squeezes my hand gently, pulling me aside for a brief second.
“I knew you’d win them over,” she says softly, her eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and love that makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world.
“You’re the only person I was really worried about winning over,” I reply, my voice dipped in humor, “well, you and Walter.”
“Walter is still on the fence, but a few more treats should do the trick.” She chuckles.
“I’m buying stock in the cat treat company,” I mumble as we lead her brothers over to the bookcase that opens to reveal stairs leading to Scared Shotless.
Chapter 9
Kat
After my brothers finally head out the door with cheerful goodbyes and promises to come back for more of Tony's "fancy bartender skills," I find myself wrapped tightly in Tony’s arms.
“I’ve been waiting all night to have you to myself,” he whispers against my lips. “Come with me.” He takes my hand and leads me down the dark hallway toward his office. The space feels surprisingly intimate despite its size, lined with bookshelves covered with vintage books and accented by knickknacks and mementos that showcase Tony's taste and slightly mysterious past.
As the door clicks shut behind us, he turns to me, delicious mischief dancing in his dark eyes. "So, here's the plan," he murmurs, his voice low and teasing as he explains, “We’re going to make out like teenagers. Sound good?”
I can't help the laugh that bursts from me. "An exciting proposal," I say, leaning in closer, “but I have a counteroffer…”
Without giving him a chance to respond, I slip down to my knees in front of him, a boldness sweeping over me that I can’t resist. His breath hitches in his throat as his dark eyes widen.