Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“In about thirty minutes.” He sits up. “What time is the appointment at the lawyer’s?”
“Eleven.” I avoid looking at him by leaning over and grabbing the cup of coffee. If he sees how scared I am, there is no way he won’t show up. It’s not that I don’t want him there, I just don’t want this scandal to touch him.
“I leave tomorrow for a couple of days. Then I have a shift at the hospital,” he says and I look back at him, hoping he doesn’t see how scared I am. “Pack a bag.”
I smirk at him. “So bossy.”
“When it comes to you.” He kisses me before getting up. “You bet your fucking ass.”
I shake my head and watch him walk into the bathroom. I get up and get dressed, us both walking out at the same time. He kisses me one last time before he closes my car door and I drive away. The phone rings as soon as I turn the corner and I think it’s him, but instead it’s Jillian.
“Good morning,” I answer on the second ring.
“Why do you sound so chipper at not even nine a.m.?” She laughs into the phone. “Wait, are you in the car already. I thought the lawyer was at eleven.”
“It is at eleven,” I confirm. “I’m just leaving Chase’s.”
“Another sleepover.” She snickers into the phone.
“Yeah, I went over to his house and surprised him with dinner.” I know the minute the words come out of my mouth, she’s going to be all over me.
“You don’t cook,” she reminds me. “You won’t even cook for your nieces and nephews.”
“That is not true.” I gasp. “It’s just easier to order in so I spend more time with them.”
“Whatever you want to tell yourself.” She laughs.
“I think I like him.” I admit the words out loud for the first time. Putting it out into the universe instead of keeping it to myself.
“You think?” she scoffs. “You think?”
“Ugh, fine,” I admit to her, because if anyone would know, it would be her. “I like him.” I park my car and close my eyes. “Like a lot.”
“Like, like like?” she asks and I nod my head, not saying a word. “Like eight months or nine months?”
“Like years,” I admit. “I need you to tell me that this is not okay and I should walk away from him.”
“Julia, let me ask you one question,” she says softly. “How bad would it hurt you to do that?” I don’t want to answer that question because I don’t think I’m ready to admit that losing him or walking away from him will shatter me.
“I have to go get ready.” I ignore answering her question. “Max and Matthew are going to be here in an hour.”
“Call me when you get out,” she says right before she disconnects.
I walk into the house, going straight for my bedroom. Starting the shower before making my way to the closet, I grab a pair of black pants and matching shirt. I’m slipping on my ballerina shoes when my phone beeps.
Walking over to the bed I’m thinking it’s Max telling me that he’s on his way, instead it’s from Chase.
Chase: Don’t forget to pack a bag.
Throwing the phone down, I grab a bag, putting in a change of clothes. Taking one look at myself in the mirror I want to laugh that I look like I’m dressed for a funeral. As the minutes tick by, my chest gets tighter and tighter. I don’t bother texting him back, instead I text Max.
Me: Leaving now.
I sit on the bed, my hands shaking just a touch as I see the gray bubble come up with three dots. Then the phone buzzes in my hand.
Max: Leaving now.
Grabbing my bag, I go out to the car, my head down as I walk. I try not to think about how my life has changed in the last two weeks. I try not to harp on things I have no control over. There are good days but then there are days when I feel like I’m drowning. But through it all, Chase has been my lifeline. I don’t know how he knows when I feel sad, but he does. I stopped asking questions when I was on his couch and he was in the kitchen. My anxiety was starting to pick up, and all of a sudden, he walked over to me, pulling me into his arms. His whole body covered mine as he held me.
I pop open the trunk to put the bag in it and I gasp out. The baby bag is still in my trunk; with everything going on, I completely forgot about it. I put my bag next to it, picking it up and taking it out. The tears come without me even knowing it as I bring the bag with me, putting it in the passenger seat. I would love to take it to Penelope but I know it would just give her grandparents something else to hang over me. So giving it to the lawyer is the next best thing.