Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 109976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
In fact she didn’t mention Vance or my past and I was tempted to ask if Gavin had put her up to it. Until I remembered that she’s not the type to let anyone tell her what she can and cannot do.
“I’m so glad we got together again Celeste, I missed you.” She reached across the table and took my hand, squeezing it gently.
“Same here girlfriend, same here. This is like a prayer answered. Let’s not go back there ever again. I’m not going to pry, just know that I’m here if you need me and that I’m happy you’re in a better place.”
Her words brought tears to my eyes and I sat in silence wondering if the others would be as understanding or if they’d blame me for cutting all ties. I voiced my concerns and like the true friend she’s always been she took up the gauntlet.
“How about I call them, the ones I know at least, and we set up a play date? I’m pretty sure a lot of them would love to see you so happy and away from that asshole jerk. There, I told myself I wasn’t going to bring him up and that’s the only thing I would say. Except, be happy, and don’t listen to assholes who never walked a day in your shoes.”
I know she was talking about the gossip that was making its way around the city. Something I think Gavin hadn’t considered when he agreed to let me meet her for lunch. Or maybe he didn’t expect that half of Manhattan’s elite would be here. “Celeste, did you choose this place on purpose?”
“Damn straight, let these Xanax popping heifers see that what they think don’t mean shit; even if it does.” I wish I had an ounce of her self-confidence.
Gavin
I damn near jumped up and ran to the door when I heard her and Kev’s voices coming through it what felt like hours later. I had enough restraint to sit and wait until she came in. I studied her looking for any signs of stress but she seemed fine enough.
She walked over to me and leaned down for a smooch before excusing herself. “I’ll be right back let me get out of these killer heels.” I looked down at her feet at the red-bottomed designer shoes I’d chosen for her because I knew that that’s all she wore in the past.
“That’s it, the next time those two have a play date you’re taking them.” Kev dropped down in the closest chair and snatched Dave’s third or fourth bottle of water and downed it.
“Why what happened?”
“That Celeste chick, swear to fuck she’d eat me if I close my eyes too long.”
“Since when are you afraid of a woman?”
“She’s your girl’s friend. What if things get sticky?”
“Maybe you can stop being a dog.” Dave the official dog chimed in.
“I’d have thought she’d be more into you seeing as she’s of your color persuasion.” Kev shot back.
“Racist fuck!” Dave threw the bottle cap at him. “Can you two maybe stop bickering long enough for me to hear how my girl’s day went?” They both turned and looked at me like I’d grown an extra head.
“She had lunch with a friend in a ritzy restaurant how the hell did you expect it to go?”
“So there were no problems, no one harassed her?”
“Didn’t I tell you to let me do my job? Besides, if anything had happened you’d be bailing me out. I told you, I got you. I know she’s yours so there’s no way in hell I’ll let anything happen to her.”
I caught them out the side of my eye rolling their eyes at each other as I kept looking towards the stairs. “Fuck it!” I hadn’t followed her upstairs because I didn’t want to catch flack from these two but what the hell. “I’ll be right back.”
“How long this time?” I heard Kev ask between snickers.
“Less than a minute.” Fuckers been taking bets on how long it takes me to go in search of her when she’s been gone too long.
I found her just coming out of the bathroom, already changed into a pair or comfortable black leggings and a white button down with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. I moved into her, stopping her in her tracks and took her face in my hands and kissed her. “I missed you.”
I stepped back to look at her still holding her face between my hands. “How was lunch, did you have a good time?” She smiled and nodded before wrapping her arms around me and resting her head on my chest.
“It was great, I can’t wait to do it again.” Good for you, hopefully I’ll live through it next time as well. I didn’t say anything, just kissed her temple and led her from the room with my arm around her.