Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“You should have seen them,” Hugh sighed with stars in his eyes. “They were so… together. A unit.”
I reached across the table and took his hand. “That’ll be you someday,” I told him.
He shifted in his chair but laughed lightly. “Yeah. I’m counting on it.”
I squeezed his hand tighter. “Your future partner is a very lucky man.”
He turned his hand over, linking our fingers together. “I don’t know if luck plays as much of a role as I once thought it did,” he said, speaking so low it seemed like he was talking to himself. “Perseverance might be the key.”
“Huh?”
Hugh glanced up and quickly dropped my hand. “Oh. No. Nothing. I was just talking about that couple I interviewed.” He sat back in his seat and didn’t quite meet my eyes. “Perseverance, you know? Staying strong until life brought them back together with their… their person. That’s all.”
“Right,” I agreed cautiously, still studying him. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Hugh was holding something back… but that was silly. I knew Hugh—knew him—and the man could never keep a secret for long. “And while you persevere, you have me to keep you company. The perfect fake boyfriend. All the fun with none of the fuss.” I forced extra cheer into my voice, hoping to coax a smile out of him.
Thankfully, it seemed to work. “I have you,” Hugh agreed. He moved toward me and kissed me long and hard until I felt my cock stirring once again. He pulled back, nipping lightly at my bottom lip. “And I’ll enjoy every minute for as long as it lasts.”
“Good.” I beamed at him, relieved to be on the same page. “Hey, I’m going holiday shopping with my mom Friday. Did you want me to pick up a frame for that shot of Abby and Dex you took?”
“Already ordered one online the other night after you came up with the idea. Two-day shipping means it’ll be here in time for Christmas.” Hugh grinned, tapping his foot against mine beneath the table. “In fact, I got a second one for you to give Hyacinth and Dirk as a wedding present. I figured I could take a fun candid of them at the rehearsal dinner and get it printed in time for the wedding.”
I found myself smiling as I trapped his boot between both of my shoes. “I already got them a gift—a nice big check so they can build an indoor pool building next to their house on my Vermont property. Hyacinth had always dreamed about offering synchronized swimming classes to her dance students.”
“Do you know,” he said, leaning forward, “there was a time I would have thought that you gave them money because it was simply easier than getting them something meaningful. But the truth is you’re a giant softie, Oscar Overton.”
“Am not,” I said with mock outrage while every single one of my soft feelings trembled and yearned for him. “Heart of concrete over here.”
He walked his fingers up my arm, sending tingles through my shirt sleeves. “Hard on the outside, gooey on the inside, like the chocolate lava cake you ordered at Roscoe’s the other night.”
“Pfft. I’m jaded and world-weary,” I insisted as my heart attempted to beat its way out of my chest and fall at Hugh’s feet. A tornado of emotions powerful enough to level cities whipped through my brain. “I’m a… a barren and unforgiving Feelings-desert.”
Hugh stood and looked down at me, no trace of humor on his face. “You’re the best man I know. And Oscar? The billions in your bank account are the least of your worth.”
I swallowed hard and tried to look away from Hugh’s warm brown eyes, but I couldn’t. “Fine, fine, we can give them the picture frame too,” I muttered. “Just end this torture.”
“You’re so freaking cute, Oscar Overton. Christ, I…” Hugh broke off whatever he’d been about to say with a quick little head shake. Smiling ruefully, he bent and pressed a kiss to my lips. “I’ve got to get going. Client meeting this afternoon. So many happily ever afters, so little time.”
“Yeah, I’ve got to get back to it also.” I stood and moved toward my desk before remembering. “Oh, speaking of happily ever afters… sort of.” I made an exaggerated gagging noise. “My friend Boone and his fiancé, Richard, are flying in today. You free for dinner tonight at my place? You’ll like Boone. He’s good people.”
Hugh paused in front of me and raised an eyebrow. “From the stories you’ve told me, Richard is good people too,” he said mock severely. “I told you he reminds me of you, remember?”
I rolled my eyes. “Clearly, I’ve been telling the stories wrong. Richard is Richard. You’ll see what I mean tonight.”
Hugh laughed. “I’m not quite sure if you mean that as a warning to stay away or an incentive to join you.”