Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
I think of the last time I played Brooke. She had accused me of cheating. I hadn’t, but she didn’t want to accept defeat. I think fondly of the memory.
“No funny business, mister. I’m watching you,” Lynn warns.
She narrows her eyes at me, but that pretty smile is on her lips. It’s not as bright or large as I’m used to, but it’s still there.
“Show me what you got, Babycakes.”
That does the trick. Her smile lights her entire face as I call her by the nickname her grandmother gave her. We all shortened it to Cakes, but Nanna gave her the name when she was a tiny little thing in her kitchen wanting to bake. Lynn tilts her head at me.
“You know, I went to see her before we left,” she says.
“How is she?”
“She’s moving. That big old house is too much for her. She’s downsizing,” she says, making air quotes.
“Who downsizes in Texas?” I chuckle.
“I know, right? She’s literally going from like five thousand square feet to thirty-five hundred,” she giggles. “The floor plan actually makes the place look bigger.”
“I bet.”
Her smile turns sad. “She gave me some things of Brooke’s to take with us. Things to leave her mark. A few pictures and a lock of hair she had placed in a locket.”
“I brought the bracelets and, don’t laugh, but I found one of her socks in my room.”
Lynn bursts into laughter and covers her mouth with her hand. Her eyes shine with mirth. I hold back my own laughter, knowing what she’s most likely laughing at.
“Why did she always have to kick off her shoes and socks? No matter where she went, she’d end up barefoot,” Lynn giggles quietly.
“That’s how you knew she was comfortable with wherever she was.”
“Very true. She was always grumbling about losing her socks. She’d come to borrow mine when she would get low on them.” Her lips start to tremble and she wipes a tear.
We both fall silent. Lynn begins to deal the cards. I’m lost in my own thoughts when her voice pulls my attention again.
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“This would have been a happy trip for her. I don’t want to spend the summer crying. It still hurts, but this was her happy place. I want to be happy while I do this for her. No tears.”
“We can do that, darlin’. No tears.”
She gives me a small smile. I reach for her hand and squeeze it, silently promising that this will be a happy trip if it’s the last thing I do.
CHAPTER 8
Let’s Explore
Trevor
Everyone passed out as soon as we got to our hotels. Lynn, Tom, and I are staying at Hôtel Raphael. Some of the others are choosing to stay at accommodations with smaller price tags.
We’ve slept in most of the morning. Our group chat just came to life around one p.m., which makes it around eight a.m. back home. I’m up, showered and ready for the day.
I want to get things started. We have so much to cover and I want to do it all. I know Brooke would have been up and at it hours ago; forget jet lag or the fact everyone else would still be sound asleep. The thought slices through me, leaving the searing pain behind.
I’d promised her we would go for éclairs together our first day in Paris, no matter what. This is our no matter what. I know she’s here with me… with us in spirit.
I’m pulled from my thoughts as Lynn opens her room door. “What time is it?” She yawns.
I’m speechless for a moment. Lynn’s scarf has come loose and is crooked on her head, the left side of her face is covered in lines from her pillow, there’s a little drool in the corner of her mouth, and one leg of her pajama pants is bunched up her thigh—nearly stuck in her crotch, but she’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Well, I would. If I had it my way, I would have been lying next to her when she opened her eyes. I wish we were sharing a room instead of my getting stuck with Tom.
I shake my head to clear it. Lynn blinks those big brown eyes at me, pulling a smile to my lips. “It’s one here. About eight in the morning back home,” I reply.
Lynn groans. “I’m going back to sleep, Trev.”
I move fast when she tries to close the door. With one hand on the door, I reach for her arm with the other. She stiffens and turns slowly to look at where my hand is wrapped around her bicep. Her flesh has pebbled over, but I ignore the reaction and push my way into the room, closing the door behind me.
“I know you’re tired, but I made a promise. I don’t want to do this one alone. I’m sure you’re as hungry as you are tired,” I say softly.