Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“Hey.” I accept his kiss, then pout when he leans back enough for me to see that his hair is wet and he’s already dressed. “You showered without me.” I sit up, dragging my duvet with me before accepting the cup of coffee he picks up off my bedside table.
“Sorry, baby.” He grins, I’m sure thinking it’s funny that I’m annoyed he showered alone. But I really like our showers. “I have to hit the road, and you need to get ready. Gia’s gonna be here soon to pick you up.”
“What?” I frown. Gia and I have plans to get ready together for my parents party this evening while Colton’s mom looks after Gino, but that’s not for a few hours still. “It’s early.”
“I know, but the two of you have an appointment in town at Rock Salt this morning.”
“The spa?” I ask, my sleepy brain not really keeping up.
“Yeah.”
“Sorry.” I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”
Smiling, he places his fist in the bed near my hip and leans in close—so close that his breath brushes against my lips. “You and Gia have a spa day today. Colton and I took care of everything so the two of you can relax.”
“Oh.” My heart starts to feel funny. Then again, he tends to have that effect on me.
“You have to be there in thirty minutes. I was going to wake you earlier, but I got caught up on a phone call with my lawyer.”
My stomach bottoms out. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” he says, and I scan his face, searching for any sign that things are not as okay as he’s making them out to be. Since Anna dropped Olivia off to him last week, he’s been in talks with his lawyer making sure that things are in place so that he’s protected from Anna attempting to take him to court for custody. To his credit he’s never seemed too concerned about her succeeding, but I have been, because I know without a doubt that he would lose it if he had to miss out on any of his time with Olivia.
“Promise?”
“I promise, baby.” He leans in to kiss me, then pulls back and cups my cheek. “I’ll see you this evening.”
“Okay,” I agree, and he gives me a smile and stands, looking down at me.
“Try to relax today.”
“Sure.” I nod, and he touches his lips to the top of my head before he heads out the door. I stare at the empty space for a long time, not even a little worried about tonight and the fact that we will be spending time with my parents. My concern and nervousness has all shifted to Tide and what Anna is doing, or trying to do. I don’t understand her. I don’t get why she’s mad that he’s in a relationship, when she’s the one who left him. I don’t get the jealousy or resentment. I don’t get why she would think separating Olivia from her dad would be good, when it would be devastating not just for Tide but for her daughter, who she should want to protect. I can see why she would want to be cautious about who’s around Olivia, but Tide was very careful about when I met her, and I know he told Anna that he was going to introduce us.
“Aria, babe, you gotta get a move on.”
Shaking my head, I come out of my thoughts and find Tide standing in the doorway.
“Sorry, I zoned out.” I set down my coffee, then toss back the duvet and place my feet on the ground. “I’m up.” I listen to him laugh, then watch as he prowls toward me. As soon as he’s close, his arm wraps around my waist and he leans back, kissing me deep. “I thought you were leaving,” I say breathlessly.
“I was, but I forgot my hat.” He rubs his nose down mine. “I also wanted to make sure you actually got up. I know it’s early.”
“It’s not that early,” I point out, because it’s almost nine, and most people are up a whole lot earlier than nine. Actually, normally I’m up a whole lot earlier.
“Yeah, but you were up late working. I felt you sneak out of bed around midnight and checked in on you at two, and you were typing away on your computer.”
“Sorry.” I cringe.
“For what? If the story is talking, I’m guessing you need to get it out,” he says easily, and I wonder how long it’s going to take me to realize he’s not Josh; he doesn’t get pissed about nonsense or act like a dick just because he can. He’s supportive and considerate. He’s everything to me. “Now I really do gotta go.” He leans in, kissing my lips and whispering there, “Have a good day, baby.”
“You too,” I say as he lets me go, then I watch him grab his beanie from the top of my dresser before winking at me and disappearing out the door. I head to the bathroom with a smile on my face, and hurry through my morning routine so that I’m ready by the time Gia arrives to pick me up.