Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“What? Who is the guy? When did they start dating?”
Wes let out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know. The last time I saw her was at the club the night we all went with Harmony. Right before Preston and she finally hooked up. Mandy and I spent the evening together at a hotel, and the next morning she was gone. I hadn’t heard from her until today, when I got the letter. She said she wanted to tell me before I found out from someone else.”
“Damn, dude, I’m really sorry.”
“I’m moving back to Boston.”
His words hit me dead-on. “You’re doing what?”
“I’m ready!” Rory said.
Spinning around, I nearly dropped the phone. “Holy shit,” I whispered.
“Hey, I’ll let you go. Give me a call tomorrow, Finn.”
I nodded and moved closer to Rory. “I…I will. Hey, Wes?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
I knew my brother. He was coming back to Boston for one reason only.
To win Mandy back. And I wasn’t so sure that was a great idea.
With a gruff laugh, he replied, “No promises.”
The call ended and I shoved the phone into my pocket.
My eyes raked over Rory. She wore a light blue sweater dress that showed off her amazing body. Her legs looked like they went on forever. The blue in Rory’s eyes seemed to stand out even more against the dress…especially with her hair pulled up and placed perfectly on top of her head.
“You look beautiful, Éan.”
Her cheeks turned pink. Damn how I ached for her.
“Shall we head out?”
With a nod, I extended my arm for her. The moment she touched it, my body came to life. I couldn’t imagine losing her to another man. My heart hurt for Wes.
“It’s a good thing that where we’re going we’ll be alone. Otherwise I’d be fighting the men off you.”
She laughed as she nudged my shoulder with hers and we headed to the elevator.
When we got outside I was able to immediately hail a cab. I told her about Wes’s call, and I could see that she was moved by his pain.
The taxi pulled up to Mamma Maria and stopped.
Rory sucked in a breath and grinned from ear to ear. “Finn, I love this restaurant!”
“I know. I asked your mother what your favorite restaurant was.”
Rory launched herself into my arms. Placing her mouth to my ear, she whispered, “Please don’t ever think I don’t love you.”
I drew back, a bit confused. “What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m starving!”
I paid the driver and stepped out of the cab, helping Rory to get out as well. The hostess smiled as we approached her. The restaurant was dimly lit, and you could barely hear conversations drifting across the room. The aromas instantly made my stomach growl, which caused Rory to giggle.
“Good evening. Do you have reservations?”
“Yes, it will be under Finn Ward.”
Glancing down at her book, her face exploded into a full-on grin. “Yes! The Rossini Room is ready for you.”
Rory turned to me and lifted her brow. “‘Room’?”
Lacing my fingers with hers, I winked. “It’s a small room, but I wanted privacy.”
She slowly shook her head. “Finn Ward, you have got to be the biggest romantic I’ve ever met in my life.”
I kissed the back of her hand. “Nah. It’s seeing you smile that makes me do it. I only want you happy.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she bit down on her lip. The only thing she said was one whispered word. “Finn.”
“Right this way, Mr. Ward.”
We followed the hostess up to the second floor. The room was set up with one single table. The lights were dimmed, and the candle on the table cast a flurry of lights that danced on the walls.
“Oh my, it’s perfect.”
My phone rang in my pocket with the fire station’s ringtone.
“It’s the station. Let me grab this.”
Rory’s smile faded.
“This is Finn.”
“Ward, we’ve got a situation,” John said.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. taking a few steps away from Rory.
“There’s been an accident. It’s Zeb.”
My heart dropped. “Is he okay?”
The silence on the other end told me the answer to that question.
“He’s in critical condition.”
Scrubbing my hand down my face, I asked, “What happened?”
“He fell through the floor of a warehouse. A few broken ribs, some internal bleeding, and a head injury. They have him in surgery now to try and stop the bleeding.”
“Fuck,” I whispered. “Sissy?”
“She’s not doing too good. Colton is at the hospital now.”
“I’m on my way.”
Hitting End, I turned to Rory. Her face was white as a ghost. “Éan, I’ve got to go.”
She swallowed hard. “What…what happened?”
“It’s Zeb. He fell through a warehouse floor and is in pretty bad shape.”
A tear slipped from her eye.
“Do you want to come with me?” I asked.
She stared at me for the longest time before finally answering. “No. I’m going to head back home.”
I shook my head. “You don’t have to go home. Go back to my place, and once I make sure Sissy is okay—”