Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Like what?” Carmine asks carefully, concern etched in his features.
My brothers know that Paige lives in Rosemary, thirty minutes outside of Houston—yes, I looked her up because I couldn’t help myself—and in order for us to be together, one of us would have to move, and she made it clear that she’s not moving, nor should she have to.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I can’t continue like this.”
I found Paige’s social media pages a few days after I got back and was desperate to see her face—after making the mistake of not taking any photos of us with my phone. Every night, I check and refresh, hoping to see a new post, but unfortunately, she doesn’t post much, aside from advertisements for Kingston and the various places she’s traveled to for work.
Her last post was a photo dump from London—which didn’t include any pictures of us, despite her taking a couple, but it did include all the places we’d visited together—with the caption: Forgot how magical it is here.
As I swiped through them, remembering our short time together, I was so damn close to messaging and begging her to talk to me. But I left her my contact information, so if she wanted to talk to me, she would reach out. It’s been two months, and she hasn’t, which tells me all I need to know—she’s moved on.
“What if we had a way for you to see her—” Dustin says.
“I already told you—”
“In a business capacity,” he finishes.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“This.” Dustin tosses a manila folder he’s holding onto my desk and stands. “If you want to see her, there’s your way in.”
I glance from him to Carmine, who shakes his head. “For the record, I think this is a bad idea, and the only reason I’m going along with it is because Dustin bullied me into it.”
“Fuck you.” Dustin laughs. “You’re the one who brought it up to me!”
“No, I was simply presenting you with the proposal since you’re the money man,” Carmine argues. “You’re the one that insisted we share this with Nate.”
“Share what?” I ask, opening the folder.
Only once I do, I no longer need either of them to explain because right there in black and white is the solution to my problem.
“You’re welcome.” Dustin smirks. “Now, quit being a fucking dick and go get your woman.”
chapter thirteen
PAIGE
One Month Later
“The house is beautiful.” I glance at Kira, who’s grinning happily, her hand on her belly despite her being only eight weeks along.
She said because she’s already had one baby, it’s common to show quicker, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe something is wrong with me—or maybe I’m not actually pregnant. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with my OB/GYN, so I’ll find out then.
“Thank you,” Kira says. “I was surprised when Ryder suggested moving since our old place was plenty big enough for our growing family.”
“It is,” I agree, “but it’s not about the size of the house that makes it feel like a home.”
I moved more times than I could count, growing up, so I know firsthand that not every house feels like a home. Hell, the house my dad bought in Florida with his wife was the most beautiful, over-the-top house I’d ever lived in, but it never felt like home. Then again, I bought a house I loved, decorated it how I wanted, and it still doesn’t feel quite like home.
“I can’t wait to decorate the baby’s room,” Kira gushes. “I told Ryder there’s no way we’re waiting to know the gender.” She laughs, but when she glances at me, she immediately stops.
“Don’t do that,” I say. “We’re friends, and I’m so happy that you’re happy, and I don’t want you hiding it because my life is a mess.” I look from Kira to Ana. “Neither of you.”
Both women nod in understanding.
“How are you doing?” Ana asks softly.
“I’m okay,” I lie, not wanting to bring Kira and Ryder’s housewarming party down with my negativity.
“Don’t do that,” Ana says, repeating the words I just said to Kira. “You don’t want us to hide our true feelings. Well, we don’t want you to hide yours either.”
“What do you want me to say?” I choke out, my emotions getting the better of me. “I messed up. I hooked up with a stranger, and now, I’m pregnant.”
“First of all,” Ana says, “you didn’t hook up with a stranger. You met a man and fell for him. Don’t belittle the time you spent together. We’ve listened to you talk about him, and it wasn’t just a one-night stand.”
“And even if it had been,” Kira adds, “there is nothing wrong with that. After the shit your asshole of an ex pulled, you deserved to get laid.”
“Damn right she did,” Ana agrees.
“Well, it doesn’t matter what it was because the outcome is the same. I’m pregnant, and in less than six months, I’ll be a single mom.”