Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“She doesn’t have to go anywhere,” my father snaps, pulling her in closer to him.
“It’s okay, Carl,” Mandy says. She gives him a slight pat on his chest. “You should talk to your children alone. I’ll just go into the kitchen and check on dinner.”
Not saying anything, my dad accepts her chaste kiss on his cheek. It’s deadly quiet as we all watch her leave, pulling the study doors closed behind her.
The moment the doors shut, my dad turns to me and points a finger. It shakes slightly, which is a weakness I’m sure he’d rather I not see. “You will not ruin this for me. I’ve waited a long time to find love again—”
“You’ve found love with several different women since Mom died,” I say dryly. I also happen to know he found love with other women when Mom was alive, but I don’t mention that.
“Mandy’s different,” he snarls.
Christina moves to the couch to take a seat. She’s not going to offer an opinion one way or the other, as I’m sure she doesn’t care.
Rubbing my hand across my face, I sigh. I really don’t care either, but I want to make sure he’s protected just in case he’s only thinking with his dick right now. “Fine. She’s different. It’s true love. But at least get a prenuptial signed.”
My dad narrows his eyes at me. “Do you think I’m stupid? Of course I’ll get one signed. I’ve already discussed it with her.”
“And you’ll ensure that Knight Investment Group is protected?”
His voice is pure ice, his glare menacing. “I taught you everything about our business. I built that company. Do you think I’d endanger it over a woman?”
No. I don’t believe he would. He might think he’s in love with Mandy—hell, maybe he is—but he loves power and money more than anything. He’s always been that way.
I’m not given a chance to answer. My dad pivots to face Christina, who sits on the edge of the couch cushion, her hands clasped loosely on her lap. “And do you have anything to say about this?”
She gives him a bland smile. “I’m happy for you. I wish you a beautiful marriage together.”
This takes my dad aback a bit. He’s not used to having much interaction with Christina at all, and I think he expects her to be judgmental because they’re not close.
He nods, coughing slightly before saying, “Well… okay then. It’s settled. I’m marrying Mandy, and I’d appreciate it if you two were nice to her. I’m going to get her. If you’d like to stay for dinner, we’ll meet you in the dining room.”
Christina and I watch him walk out of his study, closing the doors behind him.
When we’re alone, we both release pent-up breaths. She laughs awkwardly while I roll my eyes.
“Is it me, or has he just gotten really weird?” Christina asks as she stands up.
“I have to admit I never saw something like this coming,” I muse aloud as we head to the doors together.
“Are we staying for dinner?” she inquires with a smirk.
“Sure,” I say with a shrug. I don’t have anything else to do since Hannah is with Hope. There is no desire in me to go to the club without her. “It could be entertaining.”
“I wish Jack would have come to see this,” she says dreamily as I open the door.
Chuckling, I gesture her ahead of me toward the dining room. Who am I to judge what my dad is doing as long as he’s legally protected in case she’s just after his money?
Which I’m fairly sure she is, because my dad isn’t the most engaging person.
Maybe he’s just lonely and wants companionship. Of course, he can’t just choose a nice elderly widow or something. He has to have a woman who looks like a porn star, but to each his own, I guess.
“This could be you one day,” Christina murmurs.
“What?” I ask. Startled, I come to a stop in the hallway.
Her look is pointed, and there’s no more amusement or joking about the situation our father just shared with us. Her voice is filled with concern. “You’ve closed yourself off to the possibility of love with another woman. I know you don’t like to talk about it, but this will be you one day, Asher. You’ll wake up, find yourself old and lonely, and you’ll grab on to whatever affection gets thrown your way.”
I want to scoff and blow her off. Want to be angry and tell her to mind her own business. I want to disregard everything she’s said, but deep down, I know she’s right. It’s something I’ve probably known since I found Michelle dead in our bed. I realized then I couldn’t ever open myself up to such a connection to another woman.
My mind automatically drifts to Hannah, specifically last night. We fell asleep in the bed with space between us, just as we had the week before. But when I woke up this morning, I found I had somehow pulled her into me during the night. She was on my side of the bed, completely tangled up with me. Surprisingly, my first thought had been that I liked it.