Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
It’s also empty.
Aside from ghosts that won’t leave me the hell alone.
I don’t want to hurt Willa. That’s the last thing I ever wanted to do, and I could see by the look on her face the other day when I told her I was leaving town that she still has scars from all those years ago.
I hurt her worse than I ever realized.
She’s right, I am a dick.
She deserves so much better than that. She deserves everything. So does Alex. He’s such a sweet soul, so loving and generous.
I want to wrap them both up and keep them safe from everything, always.
Cary—or my subconscious—is wrong. I am what’s best for them, and they’re absolutely what’s best in my life. The money, the homes, the celebrity? None of that matters if I don’t have them with me.
I’m done hurting Willa, and myself. I’m done standing back, worried about what Cary might think of it. Yes, he was my friend, and I respected him. But he’s gone, and Willa and I are alive.
Wasting even one more minute isn’t an option.
I pick up my phone and text Charles.
Going back to Cunningham Falls this afternoon. Please have the plane ready by 4:00 p.m.
I check the time. It’s after three in the morning, so I don’t expect an answer until around seven.
I’ll finish up some work here, take a lunch meeting, then head home where I should be.
I never should have left.
Chapter Ten
~Willa~
SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND…
I’m singing. Loudly.
Shine bright like a diamond…
And dancing with Jenna, Hannah, and Nina. Dancing my ass off at a bar called Lacey’s, where the DJ is playing all of our favorite songs. Alcohol is already moving happily through my veins, and my friends are smiling.
Screw Max and his moodiness. All a girl needs are her friends and some martinis.
“Wooooo!” Jenna is a woo girl. Always has been, especially when she’s a bit inebriated.
The song ends, and we sashay our way back to our table. It’s in the corner, as far from the music as possible so we can chat.
“How can you wear those shoes and dance?” Hannah asks as I sit next to her.
“I’m used to them now,” I reply, glancing down at my four-inch heels. “By the time I get home, my feet will be killing me.”
“Liquor helps to cover the pain,” Nina reminds us and holds her drink out for all of us to clink. “By the way, you always look so adorable, Willa. Do you have that outfit in your store?”
“Every single piece of it,” I confirm with a wink.
“I’ll be in tomorrow,” Nina says. “I need some wintery things. I have to adjust to this cold climate now that I’m an official resident of Cunningham Falls.”
“Welcome home, by the way,” Jenna tells Nina with a big smile. “I’m so happy you decided to move here permanently.”
Nina is Christian’s sister and publicist.
“It makes sense,” she says with a shrug. “Christian is here more than he’s in California these days, and I like it here.”
“I’m glad,” I add, also toasting her with my Cosmo.
“I was thinking of starting a business here,” Nina confides. “I know all about being a personal assistant to the wealthy, and I think there could be a need for that here.”
“More and more as we have more wealthy people moving in,” Hannah agrees, nodding. “Heck, I think professionals who aren’t necessarily wealthy but still need help could use those services.”
“I’m talking about things like personal chefs, holiday decorating, errand running, in-home spas, floral services, shopping, small event planning, and more. I have a couple of friends in L.A. who run a similar company there, and they’re ready to branch out.”
“You’re hired.”
We turn in unison to find our friend, Grace, standing at the table.
“Sorry I’m late, guys. The baby made a huge mess, and I had to clean it up and get her settled again with Jacob.”
Grace is another dear friend of ours, and the wife of Jacob Berkley. He owns the Blacktail Ski Resort and many other businesses in town, including the bar where we’re currently having girls’ night.
“How are you feeling?” I ask. Grace just had a baby a couple of weeks ago. “I’m surprised you wanted to come out tonight.”
“I needed to get out of the house,” she says with a sigh. “I’m feeling good. But no liquor for me tonight. I’m breastfeeding.”
“I’ll have hers,” Nina offers, making us laugh.
“I’ll hire you to do all of those things,” Grace adds as she sheds her coat and asks the server for an iced tea. “I can’t get caught up from having the baby. I love her, but man, she’s a lot of work.”
“It never ends,” I agree with a nod.
“Jacob is working a lot of hours with it still being ski season, and having a service like that would be a lifesaver. So, when you’re up and running, let me know. I’ll keep you busy.”