Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
I couldn’t.
But I still broke his Springsteen record collection.
Then Michael showed up tonight and my mom was practically topless in front of him. He was probably wishing I hadn’t been there.
I glance out the limo window, reminding myself that the Michael in my imagination never cheats on me. Right now, the consolation feels hollow.
I’ve spent my life coming in second place to my mom, always overshadowed by her beauty and accomplishments. Always having to hear people say she has the daughter with the “pretty face”.
Michael clears his throat. “The Wagner contract is set to go through as soon as he’s in town to ink the deal.”
I nod and watch the city lights passing. “Where is Atlas?”
“At the house.” He pulls paperwork from his briefcase and passes it to me. “Here are my top three choices for tonight. What do you think?”
I open the first folder to see a picture of a smiling guy about my age. There’s more than enough personal information on him to commit identity theft. Then I remember the folder yesterday. “Are these potential boyfriends for Atlas?”
He nods, looking pleased with himself.
I think about seeing Atlas and Eric together at The Wicked Wench last night. “I believe if you give her time, she’ll find a boyfriend on her own.”
He scowls at me. “But that’s the problem. She never goes anywhere or does anything. Where is she going to meet a nice guy her own age?”
I can’t answer him without telling him about last night so instead I stay quiet.
It’s not long until we pick up Atlas. We make small talk for a few minutes before I prompt Michael to share the truth about the dates he hand-picked for his daughter this evening. I don’t think she should be surprised on the dance floor in front of everyone.
Atlas looks irritated by her father’s plan and that it came with Eric’s approval. “Do you and Eric get to pick the honeymoon destination, too? Or am I allowed to make some decisions on my own?”
I fight the urge to smile at her spunk.
Michael tries to calm her by saying, “You don’t have to marry them. Just make small talk. Put yourself out there for once instead of being wrapped up in your laptop.”
Atlas rolls her eyes. It’s hard to blame her when Michael is the very definition of a workaholic. “When was the last time you went on a date?”
“That’s different,” he mutters.
An uncomfortable silence descends on our little trio.
According to office gossip, Michael hasn’t been with any woman since he was widowed seven years ago. The saying is that he buried his wife one day and married his work the next.
It’s another reason I developed a crush on him. His devotion to his late wife. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone love me as fiercely as he loved her.
When the limo pulls to a stop in front of the grand hotel I booked for the charity event, Atlas lets out a breath of appreciation. Apparently, it’s her first black tie event.
“All the ticket sales from the masquerade and the profits from the silent auction will go to help a local veteran’s hospital,” I explain to her.
She frowns, glancing at her father.
Michael shrugs. As a former Marine, he’s passionate about supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces.
He waits for us to exit the limo then follows, holding out an arm to each of us.
I’ve been on Michael’s arm at dozens of events, but tonight, he keeps sending me a look I can’t decipher. I wonder if it has something to do with his early arrival at my apartment. But I can’t think of anything urgent or important for us to discuss.
As we approach various partygoers, I pause to whisper names into Michael’s ear. Names and faces are more details that Michael rarely pays attention to.
When I first met him, I assumed he was just a pompous asshole who didn’t care. But once I got to see him work, I understood. His passion for building his company is his sole focus. Everything else is noise to him.
He introduces Atlas to the Abernathy family and their son Charlie. When he asks her to dance, I can practically hear the wedding bells going off in Michael’s head.
“You look like you’re already picking names for your grandchildren,” I tease.
He gives me a sly smile and holds out a hand for a dance. “I’m not going to lie. A December wedding would make me a happy father.”
I step into his arms, feeling the warmth from his body. “I thought dads were supposed to want to keep their daughters close.”
“My wife was married and pregnant by her age.” He puts a hand on my back, pressing me closer to his body than he ever has before.
I take a breath and my chest brushes his. I wonder if he notices or if he feels it, too. “And that’s your idea of a successful woman, someone who’s married with kids?”