Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Sophia shrugged. “I could ask Josh if you want me to. He would have a better insight into Nate. But, if you think whatever it is that was in the past is the reason he is friend zoning you, just ask him.”
I closed my eyes and tried to push away the nausea that I felt any time I thought of my father. I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to talk about those years, especially to Nate. What if he looked at me differently because of my father and how horrible of a person he was to me and my mom.
Drawing in a deep breath, I asked, “If you tell Josh, will you please ask him not to say anything to Nate that I think it’s him?”
“Of course. And you can trust Josh. He won’t say anything.”
I gave her a weak smile.
“I need to run. Please let me know if you need me to do anything for tomorrow’s pick-ups.”
“Yes, of course,” I said with a nod. “Go enjoy your evening with Josh.”
Sophia pulled me into a hug. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Have a good night.”
“You too, Haven.”
The drive back to my apartment was a blur. What was I going to do? Did I confront Nate and tell him I knew the money was from him? Do I not acknowledge it? I was confused. One second Nate Shaw was cold, the next hot as all get out. So the biggest mystery was what did he want from me?
Once I entered my apartment, I dropped my things on the floor and headed to my bedroom. Face-planting onto the bed, I let out a yell before rolling over and staring up at the ceiling. A part of me thought I should be angry at Nate for giving me so much money, but another part was so overcome with relief that I felt like I couldn’t think straight. Why would a man give someone three-hundred-thousand dollars for the heck of it? Did he think I would shove it back in his face and tell him ‘no, thank you’? No, he is banking on me not finding out it was from him.
Closing my eyes, I thought about how I had reacted to the tire. Of course, he would most likely think I would turn it down. He simply did it out of the kindness of his heart. That was a lot of money, though, for just the kindness of your heart.
My hands came up to my chest as I drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Nate Shaw…what in the world are you doing and why?”
I reached for my pillow, brought it to my chest, and rolled onto my side. I was exhausted. The last thing I remembered before drifting off to sleep was silver eyes looking into mine, and Nate’s soft words were an echo as I drifted off to sleep.
“Last night…something–”
“Something what, Nate?” I whispered into the pillow right before finally succumbing to sleep.
Chapter Seven
HAVEN
“I’m so glad you decided to come out tonight, Haven.”
Rosie walked arm in arm with me as we headed toward the entrance of The Blue Moose bar. After a long week of meetings with lawyers, architects, and a few people who were making donations, I was ready to let loose and not think about anything. Or anyone. Everything was secure with the loan, but there was something off about the contractor, and I had informed the bank I was going to find someone else. The longer I delayed, the longer the project would be pushed out since winter was right around the corner.
“Lizzy!” Rosie called out as we walked through the entrance.
I grimaced when I caught sight of Rosie’s older sister Lizzy. I hadn’t seen her in years, and the first thing I thought of was the countless ways she flirted with Nate. Nearly half the school flirted with Nate and Josh. Lizzy was a year older than us and forever talked about how she would win Nate one day. I tolerated her then, and not much had changed since.
Lizzy looked stunning in a black silk jumpsuit and high-heeled shoes, which I was pretty sure were designer. Her blond hair was pulled up and swept back in a French twist. Her makeup was on the heavy side, but I remembered Lizzy was never caught without makeup on.
Watching the two sisters hug, I waited slightly behind them and glanced around the bar. It was a Saturday night, and since it was near Thanksgiving, there were hardly any tourists and mostly locals.
“Haven? Haven?”
My head jerked back to look at the two sisters. They were both looking at me with smiles.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said as I took a few steps closer. “Lizzy, it’s great seeing you.”
She flashed me a wide grin. “I’m here to spread the news!”