Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
I thought of Kenny and realize I had to stay strong no matter what I wanted. I had to do the right thing. And unfortunately, the right thing meant a big heart break coming my way.
With each step Nick took to my table my heart sped up. He grabbed my hands and yanked me out of my chair, pulling him against the hard plane of his body. “I’m so glad you called. I was going crazy.”
The woodsy scent of his cologne clung to his skin reminding me of home. As he held me, I pressed my head against his chest, cherishing that moment one last time before I gently pushed him away.
Nick bent down to give me a kiss, but I turned my head away and his lips grazed my cheek.
His brows shot up. “Are you still upset with me? I’m sorry for the things I said. I was angry but really that’s no excuse. I’m just glad to hear from you.”
I couldn’t even look him in the eyes. I needed to get this over with before I completely fell apart.
“I think you should sit down.”
Nick’s eyes narrowed briefly. I think it was at that moment he picked up that I didn’t call him to work things out between us. “What’s this all about?”
“Can we just talk, Nick? Why don’t you have a seat?” Again I avoided eye contact with him because if I looked at him properly I knew I’d break down, and I wouldn’t be able to go through with this.
“No, tell me what’s going on first.” His escalated voice drew the stares of some of the patrons in the coffee shop.
“Please, you’re making a scene.” I returned to my seat hoping he’d take my cue.
Thankfully he did, but judging by the furious furrow of his brow, he wasn’t pleased.
“Okay, I’m sitting down. Now talk.” His words were now terse making my shakes return.
“This…this thing between you and I…it’s just not going to work. I’m sorry Nick but we can’t be together anymore.” My focused remained on my latte so I wouldn’t lose my nerve.
When he didn’t respond right away, I was forced to look at him. His expression was stony, giving nothing away.
“I…I’m sorry.”
He was statue still. The only indication that my news affected him at all was the flex of his jaw muscle.
I bowed my head waiting for him to speak next. I was certain that whatever it was wouldn’t be good, but I owed him his say at least. I nervously brought my latte to my lips and took a hasty sip because my throat had gone dry.
The silence stretched and I squirmed in my seat unable to take the growing tension. Finally I was the one to speak. “Aren’t you going to say something?”
“You’re the one who owes me an explanation, so I’m waiting. I understand that we both said things we shouldn’t have when we argued, but I never took you for the kind of woman who would cut and run when things got tough. So explain.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It was the explanation that I feared more than the break up. “It’s more than just the argument. Look, I gave what you said a lot of thought, and you’re right about me seeming to care more about your brother than you. Kenny means a lot to me, and I want to be with him. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”
“What did you say?”
“I said Kenny and I are getting married. I know this seems abrupt but—”
“You fucking bitch.” The words were spoken with an underlying steel that made me want to run.
“I’m really sorry, Nick. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“My mother was right about you. Kenny mention his trust fund, and all of a sudden you became interested in him because you know he’s easier to manipulate than me.”
I shook my head vehemently in denial. “That’s isn’t the reason I really care about him. I—”
He slammed his fist against the table making me flinch. “Shut your fucking mouth. If you think you can get away with messing with my brother’s head just to get access to his money, then you have another thing coming. My brother is naïve, and of course he’d fall for the first woman who gives him some attention.”
Hearing Nick talk about Kenny as if he didn’t have his own autonomy was one of the very reasons I had to do this. “Kenny may have medical issues, but he’s still a man. You shouldn’t talk about your brother as if he doesn’t have his own mind and know his own heart.”
“When did this happen?”
“Does it matter?”
“When. Did. This. Happen.”
“I said it doesn’t matter,” I raised my voice. At this point I didn’t care if people were staring at us or that my heart was breaking with each word we exchanged. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to marry him, and you can’t stop us. Kenny is an adult of sound mind. So if you don’t want to lose him too, I suggest you back off.”