Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Crisp white quartz countertops and windows with shades pulled down finish off the brief tour. It’s all money, that much I can tell. Between the building, the design of this place, and the location, it must have cost a fortune. She is a Bancroft, though, so I’m not entirely surprised.
Peeks of red, blue, and yellow are found in a basket in the corner of the room by the TV. The toys add the only hint other than the shoes by the door that a kid lives here.
“She’s resting.” Liv’s voice reaches me before she comes into view. The sound of her padding down the short hall’s wood floors has me turning toward her when she appears.
“That’s good.” When she enters the kitchen, I lean my palms on the cold stone countertop, and ask, “Does she need anything?”
“No. I think rest will help.” The weight of concern she carried up here has gone, but now I’m left with a lot of questions I didn’t have prior.
“You have a son?”
She pauses at the sink, her eyes lifting before she rinses her hands. She worries her lip, tugging on it, as her gaze falls again. “I do.”
“Maxwell.”
Her smile is as light as air, and her eyes brighten. “Yes, his name is Maxwell.”
Liv is much more open with me. As for Olivia, she seems to be the one with all the secrets. “Why does it seem nobody knows?”
“Some know. My parents. Cassandra.”
“Who’s Cassandra?”
“My nanny and friend,” she adds. “She takes care of him.” Rattling her head with a little grin, she chuckles. “And me, if we’re being honest. She’s with him while I’m at work. She stayed tonight so I could go out.”
Each response leads me to answers from another question lingering around my head. “That’s why you don’t go out. You have a child at home.”
She nods and then exhales. The graceful lines from her neck to her arms soften, making me think these confessions have knotted her shoulders for years.
“Liv?” We both turn to see who I assume is Cassandra poking her head out of a bedroom. With her arm wrapped around her stomach, she says, “I need to get home.”
“You can’t,” Liv says. “You’re sick, and no way am I letting you take the subway. I’m happy to call a car, but I don’t think it’s safe for you to travel in this condition.”
Cassandra walks slowly, making me think there’s more going on than a case of upset stomach. She leans against the wall at the exit of the hall, her hand gripping the corner of the sheetrock. “I need to take care of my dog. He’s probably out of food and water. My neighbor’s not answering my texts or calls. I just need to get home.”
Liv looks at me, not for answers but seemingly at a loss. I say, “Hi, I’m Noah.”
She raises her hand, but a feeble wave is all that’s managed. “You look dehydrated. Can I get you a glass of water?”
“It goes right through me.” She laughs, but there’s no humor. “I’m sure that’s what you want to hear.”
“It’s okay. If I can help, I’m here and happy to.”
“Thanks.”
Liv says, “You need to stay. You can’t travel in this condition.”
“Bernie needs me.”
Turning to me, Liv says, “Her Chihuahua is named Bernie.”
“Great name.”
She smiles, albeit briefly. “I can’t leave Maxwell, so I’m not sure what to do here. Maybe . . .” Liv glances at me again. “Maybe I should feed Bernie.”
“I want to be there. You know he’s not good with others—ugh.” She lurches forward, her arms tightening around her middle. Tears start to fall, and I see panic reach her eyes before she runs back down the hall.
Liv and I face each other at the same time. I say, “I could ride with her to make sure she’s safe.” As if we’re planning a coup, I whisper, “But I’m not sure a complete stranger is going to give her comfort.”
“I can’t go because Maxwell is sleeping. I don’t want to drag him all over New York.”
“Liv?” Cassandra calls, her voice echoing down the hall.
Liv goes without hesitation, disappearing just as quickly.
I’m not sure what to do here other than offer to help how I can. I bide my time until she returns by walking to the window to check out her view. Rolling up a shade, I’m hit with a stunner of a cityscape. It’s dark, but the city is wide awake.
“Noah?”
I whip around to see Liv coming toward me. “I need to ask a favor.”
“Anything.”
“We don’t know each other well enough for me to ask this of you, but I do trust you.”
“Trust is a good start to a relationship.” The comment doesn’t seem to faze her.
“I need to get Cassandra home and feed her dog. I’ll make sure she’s set up with what she needs tonight and then check on her again in the morning.”