Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Indie shrugs, stuffing more croissant past her lips, not waiting to swallow or even chew before responding. “When you love someone, they are your home. As long as you’re with them, you can live anywhere.” She chews slowly while Jolene avoids eye contact with everyone. “Unless … you don’t love Milo. God … you’re marrying him. I hope you love him.”
“What do you know about love, Indiana?” Jolene brushes aside Indie’s comment. “Have you ever been in love?”
I wait for her to look at me. I expect her to look at me. Does she love me? I don’t know. But I hope she trusts me with whatever she’s feeling. When she doesn’t look at me, I feel like shit for not being who she needs me to be. That’s who I’ve been for her. I’ve always been her safe place. Her protector.
“That’s none of your business,” Indie mumbles.
“That’s a no.” Jolene laughs along with Pauline.
Indie slides her gaze to Fletcher. “I’ve seen love … with you and Ruthie.”
In the next breath, the room falls silent, all eyes on Fletcher.
He wipes his mouth with the white napkin. “Yes. I loved Ruthie very much.”
“What about Switzerland?” Pauline pulls her shoulders back and smiles. “Jolene has never been to Switzerland. It would be a lovely destination for your honeymoon.”
Switzerland.
Honeymoon.
Married to Jolene.
Prison … I’m not in prison.
“Have you been to Switzerland?” Jolene asks.
We know nothing about each other.
“Milo’s never been anywhere but Texas and Oklahoma,” Indie says matter-of-factly while pushing back in her chair. “If I were getting married, I’d know shit like that about my fiancé.” She gives Jolene a stiff smile and ignores the rest of us. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go dry my hair.”
I don’t allow myself more than a few seconds to stare at her while she heads toward the stairs. Fletcher’s watching me, distrust heavy in his gaze.
“Is that true?” Jolene asks.
“Truth.” I shrug.
“That’s …” She blinks at me. “Crazy.”
“It’s not crazy. Milo’s young. He’s my right-hand man, and he’s loyal. Where exactly do you expect him to go?” Fletcher doesn’t help me sound any more worldly.
World traveler doesn’t seem to be on the list of prerequisites to marry her, so I couldn’t give less of a shit if she’s in shock right now.
“So you don’t even have a passport?” Jolene blinks several times.
I shake my head, eating the frittata.
“Looks like we have a lot to do before the wedding,” Pauline sing-songs. “Nothing to worry about. I’ll make sure you have a passport. I’ll make sure you two have a fabulous destination for your honeymoon. I’ll take care of everything.”
I’m not sure if I should feel grateful or emasculated. None of it seems to faze Fletcher. He’s been protective of me over the years, but he’s not jumping to my defense right now. He’s not telling Pauline I can get my passport by myself and plan a honeymoon without her help. Did his mom help him when he was my age? When he married Ruthie, did she handle this kind of detail?
15
THE TRUTH HURTS
INDIE
I can’t sneeze without Fletcher a mile up my ass.
What am I doing?
Where am I going?
Who am I texting?
What I would have given for him to have shown a fraction of this level of interest after Ruthie died.
And when he’s not hawking me, he has Milo at his side drinking whiskey or enjoying cocktails and fancy appetizers before dinner with Jolene and Pauline. I have two days before I have to be back at school. Milo’s waiting for me to suggest a visit to Rice University, but I’ve decided now is the best time to get the hell out of here. After the butter incident, I don’t think Fletcher will suggest I go anywhere with Milo.
“Where do you think you’re going, darlin’?” Fletcher asks while I lug my bag to the front door.
“School.”
“So soon?”
“I have some work to do, and it’s easier to concentrate when I’m there instead of here.”
No surprise, Milo steps around the corner, holding a mug of coffee. “Need help?”
I shake my head, offering him a stiff smile.
“I’ll carry your bag to the car while you tell your dad goodbye.”
My dad? He needs to stop saying that. “No need.”
“I’m already on it.” Milo gives me no choice. He steals the bag out of my hand and carries it to my car.
Fletcher eyes Milo and waits for him to disappear out the front door. “That boy’s taken.” His gaze slides to me.
“If you have a point, I’d appreciate you getting to it so I can get on the road.”
“Have you picked a college?”
“I haven’t picked a major. Makes it kinda hard to pick a college.”
Fletcher twists one side of his mustache. “Then you’d best be focusing on what’s important and stop wasting time distracting those of us who have actual jobs and responsibilities. Do you understand what I’m saying?”