Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
It wasn’t really dating at first. I was just a freshman at the time, so we hung out at the house and went to school functions together. But by the end of my senior year, we were making plans for the future. I was going to art school, and he was going to continue to work his way up in the military.
We weren’t naïve.
We knew it wouldn’t be easy.
Holt and I were from two different worlds, but we loved each other and were willing to do whatever it took to make it work.
But we never got the chance.
Dad didn’t like us dating, and when he realized how serious we were about our future, he tried to get me to end things with him. When I refused, he sent me away to art school in Paris, breaking my heart and Holt’s. My father promised that one day I’d understand why he’d done what he’d done, but I never did.
I learned things in Paris that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else, but the hurt and betrayal I’d felt all those years ago still clung to me—even more so whenever I looked at Ford and saw his father in his eyes.
That thought had me reaching for my phone and silencing the call.
I was having a moment with my son, and I wasn’t going to let my father ruin it. I glanced down at Ford, watching as he pressed his thumbs into the wet clay. “That’s it. Nice and slow.”
“Like this?”
“Yep. Now, pull it up slowly… like this.”
I leaned in closer and demonstrated with my own hands, showing him how to make the clay rise into a small circular shape. Ford mimicked my movements with a mix of awe and frustration. He tried with all his might, but his little fingers weren’t quite as nimble as mine.
“You’re doing great! This is gonna be the best bowl ever.”
Ford beamed up at me with a proud smile that melted my heart. I was just about to ask him if he wanted to add any designs to the sides when I heard a knock at the door. It wasn’t a knock I recognized, so I glanced over at the clock, checking the time.
We were at least a week away from opening, and I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I was a little hesitant as I pulled my hands from the clay and quickly wiped them clean. “Hang tight, buddy. I’ll be right back.”
A sense of curiosity tugged at me as I started to unlock the door, and then I heard a familiar, loving voice say, “Any day now, sunshine.”
“Marcus?” My heart skipped a beat as I swung the door open, and I found my dearest friend standing on the front sidewalk with that easy grin I always loved. His hair was a little longer, and his waist was a little thicker, but he was just as handsome as ever. “What in the world are you doing here?”
“I came to see how things were going.” He stepped inside the shop and gave it a quick once over. “Looks like things are coming together.”
“Yes, they are.” I stared at him for a moment, then, out of impulse, I flung my arms around him and almost knocked him off his feet. “I can’t believe you’re really here. It’s been ages.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that.” He shrugged as he sat down next to me. “I would’ve been here sooner, but…”
“I know.”
He stepped further into the shop and waited as I closed the door behind him. He stopped when he spotted Ford in the back corner. “Is that…”
“It is,” I answered as we continued over to Ford. When he looked up at us, I smiled and said, “Ford, I would like you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Marcus.”
“Hey.”
“Hey.” Marcus stepped closer and looked down at the wad of clay in my son’s hands as he asked, “What ’cha making over there?”
“A bowl for a new cat.”
“A new cat, huh?”
“We aren’t getting a cat,” I interjected. “Or a dog. At least, not right now.”
“Why not?” Marcus pushed. “He’s making a bowl and everything.”
“Mom says we gotta get settled first.”
“She might have a point.” Marcus took a quick glance around and grimaced as he added, “But hang in there. It won’t take her long to get this place fixed up.”
Ford gave him a doubting shrug, then returned his attention to the clay. Marcus leaned over to me as he whispered, “He looks just like…”
“Yeah, I know.” I cut him off as I steered him over to the sofa. “I can’t believe you’re really here. It’s been years since I last saw you.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that.” He shrugged as he sat down next to me. “My job isn’t as flexible as I’d like it to be, but I couldn’t let you have your grand opening without at least stopping by to check out the place. And I gotta say, I’m impressed. This place is really amazing.”