Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Everything okay? Minus the whole almost blowing up thing. Shit, I’m sorry—Mindy, don’t cry. I was just trying to make light of the situation.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh my god, don’t be sorry. I’m sorry! I don’t know why I just joked about that. I thought—”
“No, it’s fine. Being almost blown up gives me total street cred. I’m pumped at all the attention I’m gonna get on my social media pages.”
Fay shakes her head. “Mindy, Theo’s beside himself. He’s on a rampage for answers. I lost count of how many times he threatened Craig’s life since it was his system. He feels at blame here.”
“Fay, stop. He’s not. I just want to get out of here and go home.”
Fay’s kind smile falters, and I’m rewarded with her sad eyes. “Honey, your kitchen is a pile of rubble.”
“It’s fine. I don’t cook much anyway. As long as my TV’s still intact—oh, no! My poor couch! Did it make it?” I love my couch.
“Couch is fine. I think. But Tate is going to have to—”
“No more Tate.”
Her brows rise. “What? Why? I thought you two—”
“We were a thing for like five seconds. I’ve decided he’s not my type. I’m not even attracted to him. Who knows what I was thinking. He grosses me out.” I don’t know when Tate reenters the room, but if he heard anything, his face doesn’t show it.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Can you take me home? Or somewhere? Harry will probably let me—”
“For the time being, we’re going to put you up at the Plaza Hotel.”
I turn my eyes to Tate. “No. I’m good. Like I was saying, I’m sure Harry will let me—”
“They’re working on your discharge papers now,” Tate says, cutting me off again. “Once you’re released, we’re stopping by your apartment to grab anything you’ll need for the next few days, then heading to the hotel. We’re staying in the penthouse suite so we can monitor anyone who steps foot on that floor.”
“We?”
“Yes.”
“No. I can stay there alone.”
“I’ll be with you.”
“I say you won’t. I don’t need or want you there. You can go back to wherever it is you came from and leave me alone.”
“Mindy…” Fay steps in.
“I’m done being coddled. All this protection isn’t needed. Frankly, it’s bullshit.” I shoot daggers at Tate. “Whoever this is wants me this bad, so be it.”
“Mindy, that’s enough. No one is getting to you. Stay with us. Theo has the best security—”
“That’s not an option.”
We both turn to Tate. “And why not?” my bestie snips at him.
“As much as Theo wants to protect Mindy, he wants to protect you more.”
Fay’s eyes widen and turn to slits as her brow furrows. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to make a very angry call to my fiancé.”
Fay storms out, leaving us alone.
“You can leave too.”
“We can keep playing this game all you want. I’m not leavin’.”
“I’m playing games?” If I weren’t attached to an IV, I would climb out of this bed and sock him in the nose.
“Yeah. And don’t press this shit with Fay. Like it or not, you’re in danger, and bringing her into it puts her in danger as well. Think about that when she comes back offering her home to you.”
I stare at him, wanting to tear his hair out. But he’s right. If anything happened to her…
Fay storms back in. “It’s settled. You’re coming home with me.”
God, I hate him! “You know… Tate’s right.”
“What? No, he’s not.”
“Fay, he is. If I stay with you, I’m bringing my shit to your door. And I don’t want that. I know you’re desperate to have me as a roommate, and Theo is even more, but a nice penthouse suite at the Plaza sounds right up my alley.”
“Mindy, you don’t have to stay there. Theo has—”
“Theo has you to worry about. And with how special you are, it’s a big job. I’ll be fine.”
“But—”
“Seriously, I’ll order room service all day and take advantage of all the on-demand movies. I bet there’s even a sweet hot tub.” Fay would do anything for me, even go against her man, but I can’t make her do this. The slightest bit of relief shines in her eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Plus, I have that thing.” I lamely point over to Tate. Fay eyes me for a moment before giving in. Wrapping her arms around my shoulders, she gives me a gentle hug.
“Get some rest. We can reschedule the fitting for when you’re—”
“Absolutely not. I’ll be there.”
“Mindy—”
“If there’s one thing I need right now, it’s to prance around in pretty dresses and make you happy.”
She hesitates but nods, offering me another hug. “Okay. But if you’re not—”
“I will be.” She says goodbye to Tate and leaves.
The silence between us is suffocating. The doctor comes in for a final check. A few stitches and a guarantee to be pretty sore for a few days. The nurse goes over the at-home care steps for my leg wound and hands me my release papers. The ride to my apartment is just as silent despite the blaring tension. There’s still a lot of police presence when we pull up to my building. Tate puts his hazards on and jumps out. I slowly climb out as he rounds his SUV.