Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“What do you mean, it goes everywhere with you?”
“I move between the offices. My base changes from time to time. When I was here for a stint. It hung in my office here. When I was in London, it hung there. North Carolina, it was the same. I’ll be in New York for a while so now it’s there,” I reply.
“Seriously?”
“Yes, I’ve actually been offered money for it a time or two. You’re talented, baby.”
“Someone offering you lunch for my painting off your wall doesn’t make me talented.” She laughs.
“I’ve never eaten a half-million-dollar lunch in my life.”
She turns over, covering her breasts as she looks at me with wide eyes. I fight not to look away from her face. She searches my eyes for the truth.
“You’re kidding me?” she breathes.
“I’m very serious. I think you should consider showing some pieces. I know just the people to invite. You’d clean up.”
She starts to chew on her lip while she thinks. I shift to climb off the bed. I lean in to kiss her forehead. Leaving her to her thoughts, I go into the bathroom and start a bath for her.
I grin to myself. I’ll call in some favors with some friends. When we get home, Cee can have her first show. It will be something for her to look forward to.
She’d love that. This, I can make happen for her. It’s time she lives out her dreams.
Chapter 22
Sorry
Chloe
It’s been almost a month and I haven’t been out of this hotel for much. I step out of the bedroom dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. I’m thinking about going out to explore today. I want to give myself space to think.
However, I stop in my tracks as Brodi comes into view. He looks like he might be sick as he looks up at me. He’s sitting in one of the accent chairs and it looks like he’s been running his hands through his hair.
“Everything okay?” I ask cautiously.
He swallows hard and runs his hand through his hair, proving my point. I move to take a seat on the sofa. Something tells me I want to be seated for whatever he’s about to say.
He blows out a breath. “I know I’m about to ask for a hell of a lot. I’ve been trying to avoid this for as long as I can.”
“What? What’s going on now? Is something wrong with Ally?”
“No, no, everything back home is fine. It’s… listen, my daughter is two, she has lost her mother and I’m all she has left. I’m trying here, baby. I really am, but I need to be there for her as much as I want to be here with you.
“If you move into the house, you won’t even have to be on the same side of the house as her and my mom. You can take your time getting to know her, them.”
I’m speechless. It’s clear in his eyes how torn he is about this. I don’t have it in me to keep this man from his child, no matter how big an ask this is of me. It’s one thing to know his little girl exists, but to see her, to make it real is a pain I’m not sure I’m ready for.
My heart pulses with an ache I don’t want to give attention to. I look into his eyes and a new wound starts to open. However, I can’t be selfish.
“How long do I have?”
“My mother plans to go out today. You can move in while they’re out. I’m so sorry about this.”
I hold a hand up. “Don’t. I’m not heartless, Brodi. I’ll pack my things.”
“I’ll have someone take care of your art supplies. I’ve had a studio set up in your wing. You can paint whenever you want.”
I stand and head into the room to start packing. I get to the room door when he calls my name. I turn and look into his troubled eyes.
“Thank you.”
I only nod as I mentally question myself. I promised him I’d try. Trying means someday I’ll have to meet his daughter. As much as that hurts, I suck it up and try to prepare myself for this.
* * *
Gregor
“Eric, what was the point of me flying you here to Dubai if you can’t handle this?” I snarl into the phone. “I’m trying to move Chloe into my home today.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I did all I can do. I tried not to bother you.”
I sigh. “I’m on my way back in. Have all the documents ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
I look up as Cee rolls her suitcase out of the bedroom. My heart sinks for the thousandth time today. Watching the big fat tears in little Chloe’s eyes this morning as I stopped by the house before my morning meeting almost broke me.
I know she misses her mother, and I haven’t been there like I would like to be. Between work and trying to work things out with the woman I want to marry, I’ve been stretched thin. Even when I can make it to the house, my daughter is usually asleep or too fussy to spend time with me.