Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “It’s been forever since I felt like a person anyone would be proud of. But I’m proud of me, too.”
Joey cried and clung to her, begging her to come with us. Her expression was tortured, and I finally had to pry Joey away from her.
“Hey, we have to go, Jojo,” I said. “You want to go to that video game place you like so much on the way home?”
He rubbed his eyes with a fist, nodding and sniffling.
“We get to come back and see her soon,” I said. “I need you to be strong because she’s doing this so she can be the best mom to you.”
He nodded, and Emma gave me a grateful look.
“I love you, Joey,” she said, holding back tears. “I promise we’ll be together again soon, okay?”
“Okay.”
I picked him up to carry him to the car, my chest aching as he continued crying.
I understood Lars’s pride when it came to his twins and why Wes had given up partying and now spent his free nights watching Pixar movies with his wife and kids.
Joey had done something to me. I loved him in a way I’d never loved anyone before. It was a glimpse of fatherhood, and I felt more ready for it than I’d ever thought I’d be.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jolie
With Hadley late in her pregnancy now and Sheridan dealing with newborn twins, I’d been spending more and more time with Joey to give them a break. I didn’t mind because he was a great kid. Full of energy, curious about everything, as well-mannered as a four-year-old could be, and he loved all things hockey, which meant I could take him to the rink with me. It annoyed my father to see Joey with me on a regular basis, but he didn’t get to camp as often these days, and I’d made sure he understood I was going to help take care of Joey whether he liked it or not. I wasn’t sure he was on board, but at least he’d stopped griping about it. I assumed my mother had talked to him.
Either way, I was done being manipulated.
The better news was that Jarvis had started dating a Chicago-based newscaster, and pictures of them were all over the gossip pages online. Dad had been pissed, but that was between him and Jarvis. As far as I was concerned, we’d both moved on.
I certainly had.
Boone was busier than ever as the regular season ended and the team headed into the first round of the playoffs, yet he still found time for me. For us. The lines had begun to blur with whatever this was between us because no matter how casual it was, there was something special there. We hadn’t talked about what we were going to do once his season was over and he left St. Louis, but it was hard to imagine my life without him.
He was the whole damn package.
And he liked me just the way I was. Redheaded, nerdy scientist and all.
We talked for hours at night sometimes, especially when he was traveling and I couldn’t stare at my laptop screen anymore. He thought my research was fascinating, we enjoyed talking hockey, and we both adored Joey. Not to mention what went on when we were together. I’d never been with a man who knew exactly what I needed. Or one who made me feel as desirable.
His flight had landed a little while ago and he was on his way over. Joey was asleep in my bed, so there wouldn’t be any lovemaking tonight, but I’d still put on a sexy, black lace teddy under my yoga pants and long-sleeved T-shirt. The plan was to tease him so he’d be thinking about me until we could be alone together, but in retrospect, this might not have been the best idea.
I couldn’t wait for him to touch me. So what the hell did I think was going to happen when I gave him a glimpse of what I’d hidden beneath my clothes?
Well, too late now because he’d just tapped on the door.
“Hi.” I opened it with a smile, drinking in how good he looked in slacks and a button-down shirt. Standing there with his shirtsleeves rolled halfway up his forearms, I momentarily forgot that I had a surprise for him.
“Well, hey.” He leaned in, his lips finding mine for a soft, lingering kiss.
“Mmm. I’ve been thinking about that for days.” I couldn’t help the sigh of pleasure that escaped me.
“Yeah?” He slid an arm around my waist as he nudged me back far enough for him to kick the door shut behind him. “What, exactly, have you been thinking about?”
“The surprise I have for you,” I said in what I hoped was a husky voice.
“I like surprises,” he said, his blue eyes darkening slightly as he watched me.