Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 135847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“I’m here when you’re ready.”
And that was Tom too.
“Thanks.”
“If things keep going with Elsa, Mika and I will want her at our table,” Tom warned.
“We’ll set that up.”
“I love you too, Hale.”
“I know.”
Christ, he did.
The one constant in his life: Tom and Genny’s love.
And your dad.
He was always there when it mattered.
Look at those pictures.
He shook his head sharply to clear it.
“You get ready earlier, I’m a phone call way,” Tom said. “You want it face to face, I can be on a plane. You hear me?”
“Yeah, Tom.”
“Genny and Bowie are headed to LA for that same interview,” Tom reminded him.
“Yeah.”
“So, if you need her, she’d be there too.”
“It has to be you. It has to be a dad.”
“Okay, then it’ll be me.”
“I’m gonna take a walk on the beach, clear my head.”
“Go. Mika is motioning to me, she sends her love.”
“Give mine back.”
“Will do. Take care, Hale. Text me when you get back from your walk. I want to know you’re okay.”
“You take care too, Tommy. And I’ll text.”
They disconnected and Hale didn’t waste time.
He went to the only place he ever felt safe and free.
He hit the beach.
And he didn’t allow himself to think about the fact that he called Elsa when he was out there.
Just because he needed to hear her voice.
CHAPTER 19
REUNION
Elsa
As we taxied, I saw Hale standing beside a convertible Jeep outside a hangar on the tarmac, the soft top gone.
This meant, the minute the plane came to a stop, I unbuckled my seatbelt and was out of my seat on Hale’s unbelievably luxurious personal jet (he’d sent it to fetch us), leaving Chuck and Zoey, Fliss and Carole where they were (Carole had decided to use this opportunity to have an LA getaway, which was a poorly disguised excuse to horn in on something that would give her the opportunity to meet and spend time with Hale).
I had my tote over my shoulder and was practically hopping foot to foot, waiting for the attendant to open the door and push out the steps.
I was then down them and Hale was sauntering to me, his long-legged, loose-hipped gait, in that moment, the sexiest, most beloved thing I’d ever seen.
He walked.
But I ran.
In order to brace, he stopped several strides before I hit him. Our bodies crashed together, his arms wrapping around me, my hands grabbing his head to pull it down to me.
But it was Hale who kissed me.
Three weeks of him gone, of separation, of lust and need and affection we’d been denied were in that kiss, so my mouth felt deliciously abused, my lips delightfully bruised, when he lifted his head.
“Hey, baby,” he whispered.
I smiled so big, I thought it would break my face.
I watched his expression gentle before he bent and touched his lips to mine.
He had sunglasses on, they tipped over my head, he then gave me a squeeze and tucked me to his side.
“Chuck,” he greeted, offering a hand.
“Hale, man. Good to see you.” Chuck shook.
“Hey, Zoey,” Hale went on, taking her hand as well.
“Hey, Hale. God, it’s sunny out here,” she replied.
“Never been to LA?” Hale asked.
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Get used to that,” Hale advised, then his sunglasses went to Fliss. “Felicity.”
She came in for a cheek touch.
“Yo, Hale,” she said, stepping back. “Looking good, as usual.”
Hale smiled at her then focused on Carole. “Finally, I get to meet Carole. Welcome to LA.”
She came in for a cheek touch too, then, “Nice to meet you, Hale.”
“You too,” he replied. “And I’m looking forward to tomorrow night, but I hope you’re not pissed I’m gonna steal her.” He gave me a gentle shake and tipped his head to the two shiny black Escalades that were also on the tarmac. “They’re here to take you to the Marmont. I’ve made reservations for you tonight at The Brown Derby. My treat. They’ll take you there and back to the hotel so you can enjoy yourselves.”
“Awesome,” Zoey breathed, staring at the Escalades.
“If you didn’t steal her, after that kiss, we’d be risking having to come up with bail for indecency charges,” Fliss said. “You two, go. Fuck like bunnies. We’ll see you at dinner tomorrow.”
I sighed. “Ever professional, my Fliss.”
“We’re not at work now,” Fliss pointed out.
I swung an arm to Chuck and Zoey. “My staff are right there.”
“If you didn’t jump him, I would. Pug would lose his shit, but…” Zoey trailed off on a shrug.
“Go. Have your reunion. We’ll catch up with you tomorrow,” Carole bid, pushing Felicity toward the Escalades
Pleasantries done, Hale nodded to the person who was loading my luggage into the back of his Jeep.
We climbed in.
I dug my sunglasses out of my bag and put them on.
And with the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair, Hale drove us home.
“Oh my God,” I gasped. “Oh my God,” I cried.