Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“But Abby and Dex are happy,” I went on, “and that’s what matters. Well, that and not appearing like a pathetic, dateless idiot at her Nacho Reception—”
“You won’t,” he said with the supreme confidence of the powerful billionaire I sometimes forgot he was. “I’ll be there.”
I blinked, suddenly flustered. “It’s November 14. Are you even free that day?”
“I’ll have Lesya clear my schedule.” He said it as if that were easy. As if he weren’t the CEO of an investment firm with an infinite number of obligations on his plate more important than this.
“It’s in New Jersey,” I added.
“No problem. Whatever you need me to do or don’t need me to do, I’m there.”
“Thank you,” I told him, hoping he wouldn’t notice my voice wobbling again.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m happy to help. Believe me, I understand about family weddings. In fact, maybe you could…” There was a pause. “Never mind.”
“I could what?” I pressed.
But whatever Oscar might have said was cut off when a man’s voice in the background asked if “Oscar darling” was going to “finish his rosé.”
My stomach curdled with embarrassment and something hotter… something a lot like jealousy.
But what had I expected? That Oscar would be home alone on a Saturday night, missing me as much as I missed him? That he’d want to keep talking for hours, the way he had the last time I called?
“I’ll see you on the fourteenth,” Oscar said. “Send me the information, and I’ll pick you up.”
I wanted to press him again on what he’d almost asked, but since the man in the background was still talking, I let it go. “Okay. Thanks again, Oscar.”
Over the next two weeks, I did my best to convince myself I was okay with the idea of seeing Oscar again and embracing the happy-right-now, but it wasn’t easy. Half my brain was worried Oscar might have to cancel at the last minute. The other half was busy fantasizing about what might happen if he didn’t.
Being with Oscar again for one evening… and possibly one night.
When November 14 rolled around, a sleek Ferrari Stradale pulled up in front of my apartment building, glinting in the late-afternoon sun. Oscar stepped out of the vehicle, and I met him on the sidewalk. He wore a butter-soft cashmere overcoat with a burgundy cable-knit sweater and designer jeans underneath. He looked like the cover spread of a men’s magazine.
The only exception to the perfect image was the small, nearly unnoticeable bulge in his coat pocket and the hint of Frank’s pink nose poking out of the top. If he’d brought his emotional support hedgehog, that meant Oscar was nervous, and the fact that I knew this, knew him, made my own nerves ratchet up another notch.
“Hi,” I said, unsure how to greet him.
“Hi,” he replied.
We stared at each other. Only a few steps physically separated us, but it may as well have been miles. I tried not to remember the fact I’d licked and kissed and teased this man the past. I knew how he smelled, how he tasted, how his throat made a faint guttural sound when he was on the verge of making me come.
My stomach tightened and twisted. How exactly was I going to be with him and pretend that the last few months had never happened? How could I allow myself to get close to him again, knowing our time together had an expiration date on it?
Something must have shifted in my expression because Oscar’s forehead furrowed slightly. “Something wrong?”
I pasted on a smile. “No. Just thinking about tonight. Thanks again for coming… and for picking me up. Definitely the sweetest car I’ve ever been in.” I reached for the door handle, but he grabbed it first, crowding into my space. He pulled the door open but stood directly in front of me, blocking my entry.
“You’re upset,” he said, eyes searching my face. “What’s wrong? Are you nervous about seeing Jared?” His voice went down an octave. “Worried he might make a play to get you back?”
“God, no,” I scoffed. He couldn’t be further from the truth. “Even if I wanted that, and I do not, Jared’s bringing his new boyfriend. The one he’s making plans to propose to over the holidays.”
“Propose? Marriage?”
Despite his nearness, despite my nerves, I found myself laughing out loud. “No, proposing they start a competitive underwater basket-weaving team.” I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Oscar. Marriage.”
Oscar shook his head. “Jared the commitment-phobe has decided to commit?”
“Mmm. I guess everything’s different when you meet the right person, huh?” I looked away. “Especially when that person is a famous drummer like Ben Garrison.”
His eyes widened. “Toxic Echo. Wow.”
I swallowed. “Yeah.”
Oscar’s expression was impossible to read. “How are you feeling about that?”
“Pretty shitty,” I told him honestly. “I don’t want him back. I never did. But I also don’t want him—or his family—thinking I’m still pining after him. They’re really nice people. Even Jared. Seriously! I wouldn’t have dated him as long as I did if he wasn’t,” I insisted, seeing the skeptical look on Oscar’s face. “If I know Jared, he’ll spend half his time glancing at me to make sure I’m okay. I can’t stand the idea of him wondering if his boyfriend situation is bothering me. I don’t want to deal with his pity.”