Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“I was never going to leave you. Convince you to let me hide you away somewhere until this is over, yes, but not leave you.”
“I’m not going anywhere. Not to hide. Not to leave your side. I have a job. We have a life and a furry daughter.”
He cups my face and says, “I know we do. And I love this life with you, Bella.”
My hands go to his wrist. “Then just live inside it.”
“I’m trying. If I could just smash this feeling, I would be.”
“How about some whiskey in your coffee?”
His thumb strokes my cheek, a tender touch that leaves goosebumps on my skin. “If only it were that easy, baby.”
I don’t know what to say at this point. He’s not going to shake this, not overnight. Maybe not until this mess with the will is over. “I think our trip to see my father will be good for us both.” I catch his tie. “Let me do this for you.”
He gives a nod and I make fast work of perfecting his knot. I run my hand down the silk and then walk to his tie drawer to remove a pin. “How’d you learn to do that?”
I turn to find him beside me, and I fix the pin inside the silk. “My mom had lots of formal events and my dad could never get his tie right.”
“I really am looking forward to spending time with him.”
“As a bonus, it will be a good photo op and we are supposed to have a high-profile engagement.” I scrape my teeth on my lips and tilt my chin up to meet his stare. “For the record, I’d marry you today if we didn’t have to wait.”
“Why don’t we?”
“Why don’t we what?”
“Get married now. No one has to know. It’s just for us. We’ll do the whole formal thing nine months from now.”
“Why?”
“Then if something happens—”
“Oh my God, Tyler.” I poke his chest and then point at the door. “Go to work. Go, before I get angry. Stop putting this crazy stuff in the universe.”
“Bella—”
“Go, Tyler.”
He grabs me and kisses the heck out of me until I’m breathless and panting. “I’m going to work.” He releases me and walks out of the closet.
I stand there all of a few beats before I rush after him, catching up to him right when he reaches the door. “Tyler!” And when he turns to look at me, I say, “I love you.”
He smiles the kind of smile that melts me where I stand. A genuine, charming smile and says, “Which makes me the luckiest man alive. Don’t think anything I’ve said makes me forget that. I love you, baby. See you at the office.”
And with that, he leaves. Molly jumps up on my leg and I kneel to offer her pets, but my mind is on Tyler. He’s a broken man, beaten by his past, by his father, but he hides behind a shell of arrogance, using control like an armor of sorts. It’s a bit like me pushing everyone away because I’m afraid of getting close to anyone.
This reminds me of something my father said to me at my mother’s funeral. She was a part of me, he’d said. When I was down, she lifted me up. When she was down, I lifted her up. I don’t know how to do alone anymore.
I’ve never forgotten his pain that day, or his struggle for months after her death. The depth of his grief was destructive. I thought I might lose him too. Subconsciously, I think I decided never to get that close to anyone. But it’s too late. I’m there with Tyler, and way past turning back.
It’s strange though. Despite everything that happened last night and this morning,
I’m not afraid now.
Chapter Nine
Bella
Present…
Oliver watches me with intelligent, calculating eyes probably meant to unnerve me, but I’ve sat across from too many powerful people doing the same as he is now, to fluster so easily. I’m less worried about me and more worried about Tyler.
Did they take him, too? No, I remind myself of the photo Oliver sent Tyler of me. He—they, this horrible family—are tormenting him with me, and my heart hurts for the man I love. This has to be destroying him and the truth is, I don’t know if he’ll recover, not where the two of us are concerned, but I can’t think about that now. I have to stay in the moment.
“I’ve read your brother’s books,” Oliver, if that’s really even his name, comments oh so casually, and then sips his Bloody Mary, which throws him off his intended game. He points at his glass. “I didn’t think I liked these, but it’s pretty good.” He sips again. “Or not. I still think I need a bourbon.” He motions to the waitress, I assume. I can’t see anything over the high booth.