Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
My mouth cracks open yet nothing comes out.
Not even sure what should.
“I already told you that I don’t need you to take care of me. That is your hang up, not mine. And for the record, the reason I haven’t introduced you to Katherine has nothing to do with what you do or don’t do for a living.”
“Then what is it?” Curiosity rushes me to ask. “Why have we been dating this long, and I still haven’t met her?”
“She travels,” my girlfriend meekly responds.
“Pres…”
“And I’m scared you’ll hate each other and that it’ll feel like high school all over again with us sneaking around to avoid disapproval!”
“Pres-”
“I know! I know! It’s some ridiculous shit because I’m a grown ass woman who can date people her friends don’t like, but I have like one real friend, Ry, and I don’t wanna have to choose between the love of my life and someone who really matters to me. And I know this is my hang up but-”
“Baby,” I swiftly curl one arm around her waist, “nothing and no one is going to take you away from me. Whether she likes me or hates me, I don’t give a shit. That’s your friendship to have regardless. Okay?”
She hesitates to nod.
“I just wanna be in your life, ya know?”
“And I just want you to let me help you in yours.”
Instead of letting silence settle between us or stress further ruin the date, I simply sigh, “Looks like we still have some shit to work on.”
“Looks like it.” We exchange small smiles prior to her suggesting, “Why don’t you grab your ball, and we move onto the next hole? Get back to the fun part of dating.”
“Do you mean the part that requires clothes?”
She giggles, rolls her eyes, and gently pushes me away to head for the next section.
About halfway to rescue my poor golf ball, there’s a vibration in my pocket indicating a new text for me to check.
Noah: Dad asked about you again. Please PLEASE consider going to see him.
Nope.
Ignoring both the message and request are easy.
Kara: Jared Leto goes on the bang list. Wanna binge him and chill?
Me: Can’t. Date night.
Shoving the device into my pocket occurs the second after the message is sent.
Like I just said.
Nothing and no one are going to keep her away from me and nothing and no one are going to take me away from her.
Not again.
History can go fuck itself.
Chapter 15
Presley
Discussion Topic 8: It’s a Thin Line Between Trust and Blindness.
Katherine stabs at her cobb salad with an excited grin on her face. “You know you love being in my books, darling.”
“I know I love the expensive dinners we go to for celebration,” I counter between bites of my herbed ricotta and grilled chicken summer salad.
“Speaking of celebrations, any idea what you wanna do for your birthday this year?”
“I don’t have any idea what I wanna do this weekend with you and that’s much closer.”
“I’ve just gotta submit my discussion topics to my editor for feedback that morning and then I’m open to whatever.” She prepares to scoop up another bite. “Bikini shopping and margaritas, perhaps? I hear the weather is supposed to be stellar on Saturday.”
Another bite of my dish is taken prior to abandoning it for the new email that’s popped into my inbox. “Do you really need a new bikini?”
“You sound like Carter, darling, and that is not a compliment.”
I lightly chuckle until I read the sender’s name.
Huh.
That’s um…that’s unexpected.
Curiosity gets the better of me pushing my finger to click open instead of delete as Katherine begins to ramble about her husband believing their daughter to be a musical prodigy after hearing her hum the ABCs.
To: Presley Morrison (Owner)
From: Xander Bloomfield
Presley,
I know you prefer not to receive personal emails at work; however, I find myself becoming a desperate man in this situation. I’ve tried calling you on your cell and once at the office. I’ve tried texting and even sent a message on Instagram, which we both know is horrid to me. Having had no answers, I decided to try this.
I know, initially, that you wanted space, so I restrained myself.
I kept my distance.
I dine at only one of our regular restaurants.
I even changed gyms.
However, now…now, I’m now asking you to please find it in your heart to give us a moment to chat?
Simply talk.
About us. About what went wrong. About what maybe we can make right?
I hope to hear from you soon, and I hope you were fond of the flowers I sent.
Looking forward to your reply,
Xander
I flop my face into the palm of my hand.
I knew to be weary of those flowers that were just delivered.
Dumping them in the trash will be the first thing I do post lunch.
While it’s a sweet sentiment, it’s too little, too late, too not for me.