Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
I'm still thinking it over as I dry off, and pull on a t-shirt and jeans. What if she sees this as a form of betrayal? I don't know what's going on in her head right now and I'm afraid I'll only end up ruining our friendship if we blurt out the news all at once.
“I'm ready to follow your lead on this,” Callum decides once we're finished getting dressed. “I want to take out a full-page ad announcing the news, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable.” Every word sounds like he's struggling to get it out. He's trying so hard to make me happy.
I can't help but smile as I sit on the edge of the bed and watch him put himself together. Not a half hour ago, we were in this bed, and he was warm and naked and wrapped up in me. Now, he's the stern, commanding boss and all I want is to strip that suit off him and fall into bed again.
Instead, we leave the bedroom together, walking hand in hand down the stairs. “Let's feel Tatum out on it,” I decide. “I mean, it doesn't have to be a huge secret, but I don't want to make it look like we're rubbing it in her face. She's been through enough and I don't want her to think she's losing me as a friend.”
I wasn't wrong about Romero. He's pacing in tight circles at the foot of the stairs. I can't help but giggle when he very obviously checks the time. There can't be many people with the balls to boss Callum Torrio around.
“Should I know better than to schedule morning calls from now on?” he asks, watching our progress.
“I was distracted. Sue me.” Callum slides an arm around my waist. “It's something you're going to have to get used to.”
“I'm already doing my best.” He looks from one of us to the other with his brows drawn together. “Wait a minute. Are you saying what I think you're saying?”
“What do you think I'm saying?”
“It sounds a lot like you're telling me you're engaged.” There's no hint of how he feels about it, though I guess in the end it doesn't matter. Or it shouldn't. I need to get better at ignoring what other people think. Maybe I'll learn to breathe underwater while I'm at it, since the idea seems about as possible.
“We're trying to keep it quiet for now,” Callum explains while beaming from ear to ear. “But yes. Bianca agreed to a lifetime of being driven crazy by me.”
“Congratulations. Sincerely.” Romero offers me a genuine smile before shaking Callum's hand. “We could use all the good news possible. Do you have any idea when the wedding will be?”
“When what will be?”
No. Not like this. Not while Tatum stands open mouthed in the entry hall, so surprised she drops her muffin on the floor. All she was doing was getting breakfast, and now she has to deal with this.
“Tell me I'm imagining this. Last I knew you just got together, now there's a baby, and you're getting married?” I never thought my own best friend could look at me with so much anger and even disgust. We might as well be strangers.
Before I can come up with anything to say, Callum lets go of my hand and gestures for Tatum with a crooked finger. “In my office. Now. We have a few things we need to discuss.” All I can do is watch with a sinking heart while she marches off behind him, fists clenched like she's ready to fight.
“So much for trying to ease her into the idea,” I whisper, and all Romero can do is frown. Maybe he feels sorry for all of us.
CALLUM
“It’s time we talk about this, and you’re not going to shut me out anymore.” I gesture for Tatum to enter my office, which she does before I follow her and close the door. I don’t know whether or not Bianca followed us. She’s perceptive enough to know this needs to be a one-on-one discussion.
“Oh wow, now you want to talk to me about the happy day? All of a sudden, it matters what I want?” She barks out a laugh, crossing the room and standing at the window with her back to me. “You care what I think now?”
“It was never about not caring what you think.” I pause, and when she says nothing, I decide to take my life in my hands. “What do you think?”
That earns me a filthy look thrown over her shoulder. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was in the middle of a fight with her mother. Somehow, she manages to project the same disdain. “You can't be asking me that question right now. It’s a little late either way.”