Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“I had the contract written up so she’d know I would always take care of her when it ended.”
Gabe smacks his hand to his head. “When it ended? You’re not even married and you’re planning for it to end?”
I sit up a little taller and try to keep my voice void of emotion. “Yeah, well, love doesn’t last. We all know that.”
They both just stare at me, not knowing what to say. I know it sounds shitty, but I’ve had a lifetime of sad endings, and I’m just trying to keep it real. Finally, the guys are speechless. I don’t think they can argue with me on this.
“Let’s change the subject. What do you guys know about the guy Chrissy’s out with?”
Our foster sister is the youngest of all of us. We have all looked out for her through the years, and we’re all pretty protective of her.
Gabe hits his hand on the table. “What the fuck? Chrissy’s out on a date? I don’t know anything about that.”
Dominic shrugs. “I don’t know. She won’t tell me anything about him.”
It’s my turn to roll my eyes at them. “Well, no shit. Why would she tell you two anything? The last date she was on, you two crashed it and sat right behind them at the movies.”
Gabriel gets up. “I don’t like it. I’m going to check on her.”
Before either Dom and I can say anything, Gabe is out the door. Dom looks at me. “What’s that about?”
I start cleaning up the pizza boxes. “You know how he is about Chrissy. They’ve always been close.”
Dom looks at the door Gabe just walked out of and then at me. “What are you going to do? About your future wife, I mean?”
“I’m going to convince her to say yes… There’s no other option, Dom.”
He stands up and crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t know, man. I know you don’t know much about it, but the way you talk about her… the way you look when you talk about her… I think there’s more to it than some kind of contract, fake marriage kind of bullshit you seem to claim it is.”
I’m not going to argue with him because maybe, just maybe, he’s right.
15
HAVEN
I’m a nervous wreck by the time I walk into his office a few days later.
I’ve thought about it, and I’ve done the thing where you write all the pros and cons, and I even told myself that I’m going to tell him no. That was the plan. But as I walk into his office building, doubt creeps in.
There are so many things that scare me, but one of the biggest things is that I’ll never feel the way I feel when I’m with King.
And that right there is enough for me to say yes to his crazy idea.
I walk to the front desk, and the woman smiles at me. “Hello. How can I help you?”
“Hi. I’m here to see King… I mean, Ridge Beckett if he’s not busy.”
The smile on her face freezes. “I’m sorry. Mr. Beckett is in a meeting. Can I give him a message?”
I hesitate before giving her my name, but I figure I might as well do it. “Yeah, uh, can you just let him know I stopped by? I’m Haven Weston.”
The woman jumps up. “Haven, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Rachel Raymond, and I’m Ridge’s assistant. Hold on and I’ll grab him.”
I hold my hands up and start to back away from her desk. “Oh no, I don’t want to disturb him. I can call him later.”
She comes around the desk. “No, please don’t go. Ridge said if you came by to make sure I interrupt whatever he’s doing and not to let you leave. Come on, I’ll take you to his office and then I’ll let him know you’re here.”
I follow behind her in shock. I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this. As soon as she leaves me in his office, I look around the big room with the dark mahogany desk and bookshelves. It’s definitely a step up from the barren office at the cuddler offices. I walk over to the window and look out at downtown Jasper.
When the door opens, I turn on my heel, and King is standing in the doorway, smiling at me. “You came.”
My mouth drops seeing him in a suit. The man I’ve seen has been in dress shirts and khakis or T-shirts and jeans. He’s built like a man that works with his hands, but this side of him is just as sexy, and I can’t help but stare back at him.
“Haven? Are you okay?”
I finally pull myself together and gesture to the door behind him. “It seems to me you expected me since you told your assistant to make sure I stayed.”