Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“Daddy’s here. I’ve got you,” he murmurs, wrapping me up in an unbreakable hold.
“It’s so hard,” I gasp. “I can’t do it.” I can’t let him go after feeling what it’s like to be in love.
“You can, Aria.” Daddy pulls back and framing my face, his eyes are filled with determination as he stares at me. “You can do anything you set your mind to. You’re a Chargill.” The heartache swells and grows in my chest, and it feels like it’s consuming my heart.
I barely survived what Eli and Taytum did to me. This time it will kill me.
I lower my eyes, but Dad moves his hands to my shoulders and gives me a shake. “Look at me, Aria!” My gaze snaps back to his. “You can fucking do anything. I believe in you.”
Pushing forward, I wrap my arms around my father’s waist and bury my face against his chest. “I’m sorry I panicked. I just needed you to tell me everything will be okay.” And that I won’t end up all alone when I lose my best friend and the man I’ve fallen for.
Dad rubs a hand up and down the length of my back. “I’m glad you called, sweetheart. Everything will be okay.” Dad pushes me back and glances around the class. “Show me what you’ve painted.”
“I only started today,” I warn him as we walk to my easel.
Dad crosses his arms over his chest and stares long and hard at my work, then he tilts his head and points to the canvas. “That’s a couple right?”
“Yeah. I’m trying to add layers so some of the images will be hidden, and the longer you look, the more you see,” I explain, feeling much calmer now that Dad is here.
I move to his side and wrap my arm around his lower back. Dad lifts his arm so I can burrow against his side.
“It’s going to be magnificent once you’re done. You have no reason to worry,” Dad assures me.
“Professor Neel said there will be an event held at the gallery next Saturday where the winner will be announced. Will you and Mom come?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world. I’ll make sure the private jet is ready to go,” Dad says, giving me a fatherly smile.
“You’re the best,” I mutter as I hug him.
“Anything for my baby girl.”
Dad glances around the class again, then he asks, “How is school? Are you coping with your other classes?”
I nod. “Yeah, I just didn’t expect it to be so overwhelming.” I didn’t expect to fall in love with Forest and for it to hurt so much.
Chapter 14
FOREST
I got Aria a chicken sandwich and a piece of chocolate cake, and as I walk back into the class, my eyes widen when I see Uncle Mason.
“This is a surprise,” I say and give Aria her food before I shake his hand.
Aria sets it down on the table where all her paints are spread out, murmuring, “Thanks, Forest. I appreciate it.”
“I’m glad to see you’re feeding Aria,” Uncle Mason grins. “She just buckled a little under pressure and called me.”
My eyes dart to Aria, and noticing her red-rimmed eyes, I realize that I’ve been so fucking stuck in my own head about Kennedy being back, I’ve totally neglected Aria.
God, I feel like shit for not realizing how much pressure she’s under, and I know she always internalizes her worries.
I lift a hand to her shoulder, but merely touching her isn’t enough. Wrapping my arm around her, I pull her to my chest and ask, “Do you feel better now?”
She nods, and it has Uncle Mason saying, “I better get home. I didn’t tell your mom I was coming over.”
Aria pulls away from me and goes to hug her father. “Give Mom a hug from me.”
“Will do, sweetheart.” Uncle Mason’s eyes drift over Aria’s face. “Call the second you feel overwhelmed, and I’ll come reassure you what a badass artist you are. Okay?”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
Uncle Mason gives me a chin lift before he walks out of the class.
I turn to Aria, and seeing the stress on her face, I move forward and wrap her up against my chest. “I’m sorry, babe. I should’ve seen how much pressure you were under.”
“I just panicked,” Aria says as she pulls away from me. “I’m okay now.” She walks over to the food and opens the containers. “Yummy. Thanks for getting me dinner.” Turning to me, she asks, “An event will be held at a gallery next Saturday where the winner will be announced. Will you come with me?”
“Of course.” I grin at her. She goes to sit behind the easel again, and it has me saying, “I’ll go grab my bag and come do my assignment here by you.”
Aria shakes her head. “You don’t have to do that. I’m just going to focus on my art. I’ll catch you later.”