Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“He’s treating me great,” I admit, even though it doesn’t feel good. “Anything I want. Honestly, he’s spoiling me, and he doesn’t even demand much in return.”
“Much?” Her eyebrows raise.
My cheeks turn pink. “He wants to sleep in the same bed. You know, like husband and wife.”
She cackles, delighted by that. “Oh, I know, trust me. That’s another Crowley family move, apparently.” She laughs again, shaking her head. “You’re in for one hell of a five months, you know that?”
“I’m aware,” I say, feeling miserable.
“Do you like him though?” She puts a hand on my arm. “I mean, at least a little bit? You don’t have to want to stay with him, but it would be nice if you enjoyed yourself for a few months.”
“I do and I don’t. Which basically explains why I’m such a mess.”
“You’ll figure it out.” She squeezes my arm and lets me go. “Anyway, I should get back to Smoke before they burn it down. Now that would be annoying. But hey, I’m rich now, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world.”
“It might even be a nice excuse to renovate.”
“Solid point.” She strokes her chin. “Maybe I can prompt Fulco to knock over a candle or something.”
“He’d never get down with arson.”
“True. Bernie then. She’d light it up just for fun.”
“Now you’re thinking.”
Ash laughs as she steps out onto the sidewalk. I linger with her, desperate to go back to Smoke. I want to sit with everyone else, joke with Jamila, fall back into my old routine.
Except I know I can’t ever have that back. I made my choice, chose my path, and now it’s time to walk it.
“Hey, listen, let’s have dinner tomorrow night.” Ash whips out her phone, tapping into the Calendar app. “Carson and I are free. How’s a double date at the mansion sound?”
“Horrible,” I say, rubbing my face. “But we’ll be there.”
“Perfect. Now I just have to convince Boss Crowley to quit being such a dick all the time and make up with his brother.” She chews her lip, considering. “Shouldn’t be too hard. That man’s obsessed with me.”
“If you’re trying to mend fences, how about you get Jamila to forgive me?”
Ash hesitates, glancing back down the block toward Smoke. “That’s more complicated. It’s not just business with her.”
“Why does she seem to hate Nolan so much? She didn’t react this way when you ended up with Carson. If I remember right, she practically drooled over the guy.”
“You did too,” she points out, but only turns and starts walking. “You should ask her yourself. She’ll tell you.”
“Thanks for being cryptic!”
“Just doing my best to mend fences.” She waves as she heads back to work.
I step back into the donut shop. The silence feels thick as I replay that conversation. What sticks out is that bit about Jamila—Ash knows something, but she’s not telling.
And if Ash knows, then I’m willing to bet my husband does too.
Chapter 29
Keely
I put on heels, wear something low-cut, light some candles, and have a glass of whiskey waiting when Nolan comes into the house.
He pauses on the threshold of the kitchen wearing a crisp white dress shirt rolled to the elbows and a pair of fitted black slacks. His eyes narrow, staring at me, then looking at the candles. “What’s going on?” he asks. “Why do I feel like I’ve stepped into an interrogation?”
“Don’t be silly,” I say, walking over to him with the alcohol. The fucker’s got a really refined sense of danger, I’ll give him that. “Here you are, have some of this. Did you have a nice day today?”
“It was fine.” He accepts the drink, still staring at me. “Why are you wearing those shoes?”
“Because I look good in them.” I half turn so he gets a peek at my ass. “Not bad, right?”
“Beautiful,” he says through gritted teeth. “But you want something.”
“Nolan, please, you’re being silly.” I steer from toward the couch. “Why don’t you sit down and relax. I’ll cook.”
“You’ll cook?” He looks dubious. “I can call my personal chef.”
“Now you’re pissing me off.”
“I don’t want you to burn the house down, that’s all.”
“I’ll burn you if you don’t quit being a prick.” I clear my throat, plastering a smile on my face. “Sweetie.”
He rolls his eyes, unbuttoning another button on his shirt. “Skip the theatrics, Keely. As much as I like you prancing around with your tits out and your ass halfway up to the moon, I don’t need you to butter me up. If you want something, say something. No need for all this.”
I hesitate, working my jaw. “I’m not prancing with my tits out.” I look down at myself. “Well, a little bit.”
“Keely.”
“It’s not a private jet or anything,” I say, plopping down in a chair across from him with a sigh. My freaking feet were killing me in these shoes. I kick them off before curling my feet under my butt. “It’s a little more sensitive.”