Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
I sat up straight, sliding the brush into the nail polish container. “That’s fantastic, Mom. You could sell your jewelry from a permanent location without having to rely on craft fairs.”
“It’s not cheap.” She sounded nervous but hopeful. “But I think I should be able to pull together the money for this.”
“I’m so excited for you to have your own shop. That’s what you’ve always wanted.”
“I know,” Mom said, full of breathless joy. This could be a big step for Mom’s business. If Eli carried through with his newfound generosity, it would help with the cost. I hesitated to mention the possibility to Mom though. Eli had talked about paying her alimony, but who knew if he’d actually do it.
“Eli and I had lunch today,” I began. “He said something about Andrew having a thing for you, Mom.” I fanned my toes to dry them faster. “Do you think it’s true?”
My mother scoffed. “Eli has a jealous streak. Andrew and I have always and only just been friends, and Eli could never accept that. Which makes sense now. If you’re a cheater, you assume everyone else cheats.”
That was that. Mom had shut down the idea, and I trusted her. Andrew might have some other reason to embezzle from the company though.
“Now, tell me all about the man you mentioned the last time we spoke,” Mom said. “How is it going?”
I sighed happily, putting thoughts of nefarious deeds behind me. There were so many ways I could answer.
Better than expected.
Absolutely wonderful.
I’m falling for him, big time.
I think we could be a real couple when the trip ends.
But before I could choose what to tell my mom, the hotel phone rang on the nightstand.
“I’d better answer that, Mom. Chat with you later.”
“You’d better! I want details!”
I chuckled as I hung up one phone and lifted the receiver of the other. It was the front desk calling to inform me a package had been delivered to reception. Who knew that I was staying at this hotel?
I told the clerk I’d be right down. All the way to the lobby, I wondered if this was a repeat of the other night when the delivery had come with a side of robbery. The weight of my cell phone was heavy in the pocket of my pajama pants. Should I call Jake?
No. He was staking out Sapphire. What if my call came at an inopportune time and gave his presence away?
At the front desk, I gave my name and received a small white box—a jewelry-size box. “Who delivered it?” I asked the clerk. “Did they leave a name?”
The woman checked the notes on the computer. “It says here ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’”
Grabbing onto the reception desk for balance, I managed to keep my feet under me. With the other hand, I popped the box open with trembling fingers. Inside was a ring with a candy gem, and a note.
Here’s your cut of the diamonds.
I was so done.
Where was my towel? Because I was chucking it in.
I flung the candy ring into the lobby trash can. What purpose did this serve? The prank was disturbingly mean-spirited. They’d dragged me out of the room just for this?
Craaaaap.
My stomach hit the floor. My heart dived-bombed next. Then my butt dropped into a chair. What if the whole point was to lure me out of the room? Maybe to search it. Maybe to ambush me.
Maybe I watched too many movies.
When Jake returned from staking out Sapphire, I still sat in the lobby in my pajamas and flip-flops, sporting my new pedicure. In an instant, he was at my side, checking to see if I was all right. I was not all right at all.
“They won,” I said with tears in my eyes, then told him what happened. “I’m sorry, Jake. I give up.”
“It’s okay. I get it.” He rubbed my arms with his warm hands. My vision blurred and my eyes stung because the thieves were cruel, but Jake was…so caring. The way he’d taken care of me that afternoon. The way he was treating me now.
“Let me see what I can find out,” he said, then headed to the front desk to grill them.
That was another point in his favor. The capable way he handled the situation now, even though he returned a few minutes later with no useful info. Still, I’d never been more grateful for a partner when we headed back to the room together. Inside, he took the lead, peering in all the closets and behind the shower curtain. I didn’t know I’d needed that until he’d done it. But hell, did I ever need a protector tonight. I started to relax again. “Thank you,” I said, so grateful.
“Happy to do it,” he said.
“What happened at Sapphire?” I asked, sitting on the comfy king-size mattress while Jake headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Spoiler alert—sharing a room with him was easy, especially since he peeled off his polo, and leaned against the doorway, toothbrush in hand, shirtless. The view was better than the ocean. I loved his carved abs and strong muscles, but his scar and tattoo were my favorite parts of him—they said who he was. They said what mattered to him.