Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
“I’ve been working for the company.”
I furrowed my brow. “Sinclair Realty?”
“Yes.”
“But aren’t you working at the law firm?”
He blew out a harsh breath. “Honestly, I’d always had this idea that, eventually, I’d take over the company. But then I got into law, and I was working with Kai.”
“Kai?”
“My partner. He moved up here from Houston with me. His wife is from Clovis. So, it was good for them, too. Not completely selfish, but I thought I’d be doing that for another decade before I wanted to start working for the company.”
“And that’s a problem?”
“Well, I’m working with my dad.”
“Ah,” I said, seeing the whole picture. “Have you even talked to your mom?”
He flexed his hand. “Yes. She doesn’t blame me for working for the company.”
“But you feel guilty.”
“It feels like I’m choosing him over her.”
“That’s silly,” I said. “Unless you’re like me and you have completely no contact with your terrible father, there’s no choosing between them. They’re both your parents. Your mother knows that.”
“What’s no contact like?” he asked me, turning his body to face me.
“Excellent. Best decision I ever made. Not that he respects my wishes.” I rolled my eyes. “He bought me a BMW when I was home for Christmas.”
“Nice gift.”
“No!” I argued. “A bribe. I don’t want it. I don’t want his money.”
He nodded. “I get it.”
“I’m going home in a week, and he’s back in Seattle. I know he’s going to try to worm his way back in.” I clenched my hands into fists.
“Maybe I should go no contact and see how it feels.”
I laughed. “I thought you wanted the company?”
“It’s selfish.”
“You’re allowed to be selfish for things you’ve worked for, you know?”
He slid off of his chair and sank into the spot next to me. I tensed, expecting…well, I didn’t know what to expect. All I wanted was to lean forward and capture another perfect kiss. But that wasn’t why I’d come here. I’d been in his place, and I knew what he was going through. And…I’d wanted to see him.
“Thank you,” he said simply.
“You’re welcome.”
“I should probably call my sister.”
“Probably. And Annie.”
“Jordan is going to hate it.”
I winced. “Probably, but she’s your best friend. Don’t be stupid.”
He laughed, reaching forward and tucking a stray strand of my blonde hair behind an ear. I shivered at the touch.
“It was good seeing you.”
I cleared my throat and got to my feet. If I didn’t get out soon, I was going to break my own heart again. “You needed some sense knocked into you.”
“If I ever need it again, I know who to call,” he said, thankfully staying seated.
And though I wanted nothing more than to stay, I left.
I left and took my wildly beating heart with it.
13
Chase
May
I pushed myself past the breaking point.
Swam as hard and fast as I could to the small square deck a hundred yards from the shore and then back. I’d made the trek enough times that even Bowie had given up. I’d wiped out my own golden retriever. He was currently sunbathing on the shore with his tongue lolling out from exhaustion.
I was exhausted, too.
I didn’t want to take another stroke. But I couldn’t stop. Because stopping meant thinking. Stopping meant feeling. Stopping meant I’d have to deal with all the shit that had just been unceremoniously dumped on me.
With a grunt, I pulled myself up onto the deck, panting, my arms like jelly. One more lap. I could do one more. That would be enough.
Then, I heard the sound of car tires on the dirt road that led down to my favorite lake side spot. Bowie jumped to his feet and barked at the Kia that came into view. My stomach flipped at the sight of the little car. And then the blonde who stepped out of the driver’s side.
Bowie went off like a flash, jumping on Harley and nearly knocking her to the ground. He was sopping wet, and even from here, I could see Harley laughing and shaking the water off of her black shorts and tank top.
I dived back into the water and began the trek back toward the shoreline. She put her hand on her forehead when she heard the splash and watched me cut through the water. I was at half the speed that I’d started, but truly, it was a miracle I was still going.
When I stepped out of the lake, waterlogged and drained, she was already moving toward me, a smile on her face.
“Hey, you.”
“Hey,” I said. I felt like my legs were going to give out as I came up the shoreline.
“How long have you been doing this?”
“Since I called you.”
She frowned. “That was, like, an hour ago.”
“I know.”
Her disapproval deepened. “Maybe you should sit down.”
I reached for a towel, drying the water off of my skin before sinking onto the blanket I’d left out for Bowie. Harley dropped down next to me, and Bowie followed, getting up in her face.