Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“And if you don’t find what you’re looking for?”
“I’m going to bluff like hell and we’ll figure it out this weekend. I’m about to tell Bella I’m in meetings that might run late. Yes, it’s a lie, but—”
“I get it. You’re trying not to scare her.”
“I’ll tell her the truth when I get home.”
“Understood. I hear you’re getting married this weekend?”
“We are. And I need to do a little shopping for Bella, too, if I get done soon enough. I want it to be special.”
“Allie’s already got a few options for the ceremony. You want to talk about details tonight?”
“I want Bella to be happy. That’s all that matters. I need to go and I actually can’t see Bella first. She knows me. She’ll know something is going on and I don’t have a lot of time.”
“Go,” he says. “I’ll handle Bella.”
I give him a nod and walk to the stairwell and exit the hallway. I need to clear my head and think about my strategy with Knox Allen, be it with or without the need to bluff.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Tyler
Our storage location is off site, and tightly locked down on the upper level of a high-rise where the security desk is literally shutdown. It takes me nearly an hour to get someone out there, and then I’m presented with a storage area two floors deep. Logically there would be a date, and/or name system I simply can’t seem to figure out. It takes me some time to figure out a weird coding system that was no doubt my father’s doing. Even then I have rows and rows of files to go through. In the middle of it all, I receive a phone call from a number I do not know.
When clients call from all kinds of phone numbers I don’t have the luxury of declining a call. I answer with, “Tyler Hawk.”
“Tyler. This is Bella’s father.”
My spine stiffens. “Sir. Good to hear from you.”
“You’re marrying my daughter, I hear.”
I don’t even hesitate. “I love her. And if you’re worried about her money, until this moment, it never crossed my mind. I’ll sign a prenup that gives me nothing. I have my own money.”
“Why in the world did I make you think about money?”
“It’s your job to protect her.”
“While I appreciate that, she’s pretty good with her own money. I’m more worried about her heart.”
“I think it’s me who needs protecting. I didn’t think any woman could bring me to my knees, but Bella most definitely has.”
“How?”
“I know you think that’s a tough question, but I’ll be honest. Of course, she’s beautiful, and charming and smart, but I think the fact that we had years to build a friendship before we ever became romantic is what makes us solid. She slid right under my defenses, and I didn’t even know it.” I pull out a chair at a long table and smile. “She used to come to my office when we were working late, and we’d talk through her contracts. I’d blink and hours would pass. That doesn’t happen to me.”
“That’s how I was with her mother.” There’s a rasp to his voice.
“I heard that. I hope we can have the same special thing you two did.”
“Why the rush this weekend?”
“We’re going to plan a formal wedding. We’re working on it. I want her to have her fairy tale wedding, but I think the idea of her mother is what is pushing us forward. You never know when there won’t be another day to say I do.”
“There’s nothing more to it?”
“She’s not pregnant if that’s what you’re asking. And I don’t know if we’ll have kids. We’ve both got some work to do to be ready for that. Right now, a Golden Retriever is a pretty good start.”
“Molly,” he chuckles. “I get pictures of my grandpup all the time. Speaking of you never know about another day. One day I could get in my car and that’s it. You gonna take care of her if that happens?”
“It’s not going to happen, but I’ll take care of her. Always.”
“All right then. I’ll see you this weekend. I hear Allie is planning the wedding despite the fact that I hired a planner. She’s running the show which I assume means she loves Bella as well.”
“She does. Oh, and sir, Bella said something about Italy for the bigger wedding. Just wanted to put that bug in your ear, so you have some time to come to terms with how you feel about that idea. I’d rather her talk with you in detail though. And whatever you decide is fine with me. Whatever she wants and you want—”
“Thank you, son. See you soon.” He disconnects.
My phone buzzes with a text message from Bella: My father might call you.
I laugh and dial her. “He called,” she answers.
“Just now. I literally just hung up. I like him. He’s everything my father should have been and was not. And I talked to my mother. She won’t be in Dallas, but she will be at the bigger celebration.”