Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Clearing my throat, I said, “Nothing. Nothing.”
Turning back around, Palmer studied the painting and then looked around the room. “I think it would look good on this wall over here. The light won’t shine on it from the windows, and it will be the first thing you see when you walk into the room. It’s the perfect size for that wall, as well. Almost like it was made for it.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes from Palmer as she picked up the painting and walked it over to the wall. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a bun that sat on top of her head, with a few strands hanging down and framing her neck and face. Her blue eyes looked so full of life, and I loved that her painting was making her so happy.
“You need to start thinking about furniture for this room, Mason.”
I nodded. I already had a lot of furniture, but the house was huge. Five bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, two living rooms, plus a formal dining, a kitchen, and a breakfast area. Not to mention the finished basement that had been converted into a man cave by the previous owner.
“Have you seen how big this house is?” I asked with a halfhearted laugh.
“Well, I’m more than happy to go shopping with you. I had a blast furnishing my little place.”
“I think I’ll take you up on that.”
We stood there for a few moments staring at each other before Palmer cleared her throat. “Do you have something to hang this up with?”
“Yes. Right. Sorry. It’s right here.”
I walked over and got the small case of hangers as well as the hammer.
“This won’t wake up, Charlie? You hammering a nail in the wall?” she asked.
“Are you kidding me? That kid can sleep through anything. He’s always been that way, even as a baby.”
She raised a single brow, and then sat down on the sofa while I moved the painting around the wall until we found the perfect spot.
Once it was hung up, I took a seat next to her and looked at it. “The first official thing I’ve hung up in this house.”
“I’m honored.”
Turning to look at her, my breath caught in my throat. Her eyes met mine and that familiar heat between us crackled through the air.
“Would you, um, like a glass of wine?” I asked.
“Do you have anything stronger? I’m not much of a wine drinker.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Of course Palmer would want something stronger. “I’ve got whiskey, scotch…”
“Whiskey sounds good. Plus, it’ll warm me up.”
My mind conjured up a few other ways to warm Palmer up, and none of them had to do with whiskey.
“Mason?”
Shaking my head, I forced myself to move my feet and walk away from her. “Sorry, I was trying to remember where I put everything.”
She chuckled as she followed behind me. “This is a huge house for the two of you.”
“I hope to fill it up with more kids someday.”
I paused for the slightest moment. Where in the hell did that come from, and why had I said it to Palmer?
“You’ve always wanted a big family then?” she asked, slipping onto one of the barstools at the large kitchen island.
“I don’t know if I’ve always wanted a big family. After having Charlie, I knew I wanted at least one or two more kids. I only had my brother growing up, and he was a lot older than I was.”
She nodded but didn’t say anything as I took out two glasses and filled them with a finger of whiskey.
“What about you?” I asked, handing her the drink. “Do you want kids?”
“Yes,” she said with a smile. “I mean, I haven’t really thought about it too hard. I loved having older sisters and a brother. They tortured me most of the time, but I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
I let out a sigh and leaned against the kitchen counter. “I thought I’d have them back to back. Kids, I mean.”
Palmer set her glass down on the island and tilted her head as she regarded me.
“You look like you want to ask me a question,” I said with a chuckle.
“I do, but it’s sort of butting into your business.”
I motioned for her to ask.
“What happened to Charlie’s mom? Why isn’t she in his life, or your life, for that matter? I mean—” Her cheeks reddened. “I’ve heard a rumor or two.”
That caused me to lift my brows. “Is that so?”
She smiled that breathtaking smile of hers. “Yep.”
Lifting the drink to my mouth, I downed the whiskey and set the glass on the counter.
“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, Mason.”
“No, I want to tell you.”
She swallowed hard. “Do you want to go sit in the living room?”
Drawing in a deep breath, I pushed away the dread I felt anytime I talked about my ex. I might as well get it over with now. Motioning toward the living room, I said, “After you.”