Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Ready,” I confirmed, giving his arm a squeeze before nudging him toward the dining table where Akio and Rhett were already eating. I turned to see Benjamin dragging himself out of his room, rubbing his tired eyes. I placed my hands on my hips, giving him a pointed look.
Benjamin looked up at me and rolled his eyes playfully.
“I’m up, princess,” he said before pecking my lips. “I wouldn’t miss today for the world.”
My face softened as I cupped his face and pressed another grateful kiss against his lips.
“Go eat,” I replied, wanting to be on the road soon.
We all ate breakfast together, going over the plans for the day. Rhett and Akio had to take care of some things for the bodyguard business, while Andrew and Benjamin were accompanying me on an errand or two. We had a lot of busy days, but I enjoyed the days where we hung out around the loft or went out to dinner together.
I hadn’t ever been in a relationship before them, so I didn’t know the ins and outs of dating. However, what I did know was that I was happier than ever. We all got along. We worked together. We looked out for each other. Things were better than I ever could’ve imagined.
By the time Andrew, Benjamin, and I hit the road, I was getting antsy, watching buildings pass by through the window as I sat in the backseat. I preferred the passenger’s seat, but they assured me the backseat was the safest place for me to be. They didn’t lose all of their bodyguard tendencies, but I knew they were just looking out for me. So, I let them fawn over me a little.
“Here we are,” Andrew said as he pulled into the empty parking lot in front of a bare building for sale. It wasn’t huge, but it was sizable enough to fit plenty of beds, a few small offices, and a back room for donations and supplies.
I walked closer to the front of the building, peering at the locked, glass double doors. Soon, I would have the key to those doors.
“I can’t believe it,” I breathed out as I placed my hands behind my head. A few months ago, my idea for starting an organization for domestic violence victims was just that: an idea. Now, I had a building where I would house victims, provide counseling and support, and distribute supplies to those who needed them.
Andrew placed his hand on the small of my back above my long-sleeved white sweater.
“We’re really proud of you, Emery,” he told me sincerely.
Benjamin stepped up to stand on my other side. He draped his arm around my shoulders.
“All of this was you. You’re going to help so many people,” he said.
My eyes started to burn with happy tears as I sniffled and nodded, letting them hold me as I stared at my building. My building. Once I got my plans in place for my organization, I spent a whole month scouring the city for the perfect building. It needed some work, but the location was great, and it was big enough. That was a win for me.
“You guys helped a lot, though. Whenever I had doubts, you guys talked me through them,” I replied as I looked between them. “I don’t know what I’d do without all of you.”
“We’d be just as lost,” Andrew promised me.
I smiled and took another few minutes to admire my building. I got the call yesterday that it was mine, so I just had to take a look at it since it was officially mine. Once the papers were finalized and I got the key to the building, I wanted to start fixing the place up and getting it ready to open.
However, before I became swept up in my planning for that, I remembered something else that I needed to do.
“I have one more stop,” I told them, prompting them to nod and lead me back to the car. No questions asked. Part of me believed they already knew what came next.
26
EMERY
When we arrived at the local prison, I left Andrew and Benjamin in the car and headed inside, going through the processes until I was allowed to sit at one of the tables and wait for my father.
I visited him often to update him on my life, whether that be my progress with my organization or how my relationship was going.
It was a lot for him to take in. It would’ve been big news if I told him that I was dating one guy, but I had to break the news to him that I was dating four of them.
He didn’t seem all that happy at first, but when I reminded him that I was safe and happy, he simmered down and accepted my choices. At the end of the day, he wanted to see a smile on my face, and I never went to sleep with a frown on my face.