Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
But … there wasn’t. Not like I expected there to be. Sure, there are a few things here and there, most of them from the checkout-line magazines with a picture of us next to an image of a historical figure living in South America.
This life with Blakely could work. I want it to work. It feels like a knife slicing through my stomach when I think about it ending.
But what would she want? Would she want … me?
“What do I want? I want to be focused on myself. I want to grow, to be excited about appliances and understand how life insurance works. I want to find a nice man, get married, and have a family. Basically, the opposite of what we have going on and the longer we draw that out, the longer I’m just treading water—and I need to move forward. I need it, Renn. I promised myself that I would do it.”
I pass a swallow down my throat.
This doesn’t have to be her treading water. This can be us moving forward. I want to stay married to Blakely. I’m the man she needs … or I can become him.
“Yeah, Bianca. I love her.”
“I know.” She smiles. “So what does this mean for the Royals contract?”
“It means I tell them to fuck off and lawyer up, I guess.”
“And we are telling our wife we love her, right?”
“Our wife?” I chuckle. “Yes, but I want to make it special. Maybe I’ll wait until after dinner at Mom’s tomorrow night. Get a few things in place. I don’t know if she’ll feel the same way. I need to wine and dine her to be sure.”
Bianca snorts, gathering her things on her desk. “You’re adorable when you’re goofy.”
“I knew Renn was here when I heard you say goofy.” Gannon walks in and stands by Bianca’s desk. “How was Australia?”
“Good.”
“Good.” He turns to our sister. “Change of plans. You meet with McCallister. I’m heading to the conference room with Dad. He’s signing the Arrows deal.”
“He is?” I ask.
Gannon looks at me. “Bobby Downing came on board and pulled some strings. He helped Dad get it expedited.”
I sigh. Even though I think Dad’s a dick, I’m still glad he closed his deal.
“Anyway, don’t forget to come in strong with the numbers from the last quarter,” Gannon says to Bianca. “Text me when you’re out.”
“Will do.”
“Later, goofy,” Gannon says.
“Bye, fucker.”
“Renn, I gotta go,” Bianca says. “Call me tonight if you want. I’ll be home around eight.”
“Thanks for letting me barge in here.”
“Anytime. Let yourself out.”
She pats me on the shoulder as she leaves.
I exhale a shaky breath and look at the tray ceiling. There’s so much to do, so much to work out … and all I want to do is go home to my wife.
Grinning, I get to my feet and leave.
CHAPTER 23
Blakely
“That smells so good,” I say, taking the cake out of the oven and setting it on a rack to cool.
I feel like a character in a movie, bustling around the kitchen in the early evening. The ambiance is perfection. Enough sun hits the room to make it warm and cozy, but just shadowy enough to ease you from afternoon to dinner. The layout had to have been designed by someone who frequented kitchens because everywhere I turn to look for something—there it is.
And the appliances. I can be excited about appliances, after all.
The thought makes me laugh.
I sway to a honeyed voice coming from my phone, singing about flying them to the moon. The saxophones, trumpets, and piano fill the air with a soothing, sexy beat.
The day has been exactly what I needed. After Brock’s bombshell about the baby, I called Ella and named myself godmother before yelling at her for not telling me. Then I promptly started planning a baby shower. Is it too early? Yes. Am I excited? Also, yes.
I’ve always worried about how I would take this day—when my brother begins his own family. I was scared I’d be sad or lonely. Instead, I’m bursting at the seams.
I shut off the oven and start working on the chicken piccata.
After my call with Ella, I took a long soak with the best bubble bath I’ve ever used. The water felt amazing on my sore muscles, and I wound up falling asleep. I woke up to a delivery of clothes from Astrid. I felt like a princess.
I hope I don’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
A smile slips across my lips. I won’t. I know that won’t happen.
“It’s Renn,” I say simply, as if that explains my conclusion.
The music stops and is replaced by a ringtone. I set the salt and pepper down.
“Hello?” I ask, holding the phone to my ear.
“Is this Blakely?”
“Yes.”
“Hi, Blakely. It’s Anjelica from Mason Music. How are you?”
Oh. I lean against the counter. “Hi, Anjelica. I’m great. How are you?”