Total pages in book: 262
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
I huff out a breath as I struggle to unscramble my feelings. “I hope Ana doesn’t change her mind.”
“I think at this stage Ana is very unlikely to change her mind. Why would she? She loves you.” He holds my gaze.
I stare at him, silent, unable to articulate what I want to say. It’s frustrating.
“You just want to be married?” Flynn prompts.
“Yes! Then she’s mine. And I can protect her. Properly.”
“Ah.” Flynn nods and lets out a soft sigh. “This isn’t just nerves, Christian. Tell me.”
Showtime, Grey.
I swallow, and from the depths of my soul, I confess my darkest fear. “Life would be unbearable without her.” My words are almost inaudible. “I’m having awful, morbid thoughts.”
He nods and taps his lip, and I realize this is what he’s been waiting for me to say. “Do you want to talk about them?” he asks.
“No.” If I do, I’ll make them real.
“Why not?”
I shake my head feeling exposed—vulnerable—like I’m naked on top of a treeless hill, the wind howling around me.
John rubs his chin. “Christian, your fears are totally understandable. But they come from the place of an abused, neglected child who was abandoned by the death of his mother.”
Closing my eyes, I see the crack whore dead on the floor.
Except she’s Ana.
Fuck.
“You’re an adult now. A pretty successful one at that,” John continues. “None of us have any guarantees in life, but it’s extremely unlikely that anything’s going to happen to Ana, given everything you’ve put in place.”
I open my eyes to meet Flynn’s, and he still wants more.
“I fear for her more than I fear for myself,” I whisper.
His expression softens. “I understand, Christian. You love her. But what you have to do is to get that fear into perspective and under control. It’s irrational. And fundamentally you know this.”
I let out a long breath. “I know. I know.”
His forehead creases with a brief frown as he glances at his lap. “I just want to sound a word of caution.” He looks up to make sure he has my full attention. “I don’t want you to sabotage your happiness, Christian.”
“What?”
“I know you feel you don’t deserve it and it’s a relatively new concept for you, but you should nurture and treasure it.”
Where the hell is he going with this?
“I do,” I try to reassure him. “But it makes me anxious.”
“I know. Just be mindful.”
I nod.
“You have the tools to overcome your anxiety. Use them. Free your rational mind.”
Okay. Okay.
I’m tiring of this lecture that I’ve heard before. “Let’s move on.”
His lips thin. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He changes the subject. “Now, speaking of sabotage, do you have any news on the saboteur?”
“No!” The word is an expletive. I wish I had an answer. “I’m beginning to wonder if we overreacted.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time.”
My mouth twists into a half smile. “Ana said that.”
“She knows you well.”
“She does. Better than anyone. Apart from you.”
“You flatter me, Christian. I’m sure she knows you better than I do. We choose what we show to different people. It’s part of what makes us human. I think she’s seen the worst and the best of you.”
That’s true. “She brings out the worst and the best in me.”
“If you put your mind to it, you can concentrate on the best. Don’t dwell on the negative and be mindful. Use all that you’ve learned here,” he asserts.
“I can try.”
“Don’t try. Do. You’re more than capable, Christian.” He crosses his legs and continues. “How are you getting on with your parents?”
“Much better.” And I fill him in on my latest interaction with Grace.
“That all sounds great. And your dad?”
“Nothing to report since his surprise apology.”
“Good.” He pauses. “Did you get the e-mail I forwarded from Leila?”
“Yes. I don’t want to see her.”
“That’s probably wise. I’ll let her know.”
“Thank you.”
He smiles. “You know, you may not be looking forward to your wedding, but my wife is beyond excited.”
I laugh.
“We’re bringing the boys. I hope you’ve nailed everything down.”
“I think Ros, my chief operating officer, is bringing her kids, too.”
“Have you discussed children with Ana?”
“Only generally. We’ve got years to think about that. We’re both young. In fact, I forget how young Ana is sometimes.”
Yes, and I’m the sulky teen.
“You’re both young.” He glances at the clock on the wall behind me. “I think we’re done, unless there’s anything else you want to talk about? I won’t see you in a professional capacity for a while.”
“I’m good. Thanks for listening.”
“It’s my job. Remember. Don’t dwell on the negative. Focus on the positive.”
I nod and stand.
“And a bit of advice, on a personal level,” John says. “Happy wife. Happy life. Trust me on this one.”
I chuckle and he grins. “It’s good to see you laugh, Christian.”
Ana and I stare at each other. We lie in my bed…our bed, nose-to-nose, each sated, neither of us sleepy. “That was nice,” Ana whispers.