Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“Sometimes,” Tom replied warily.
He was trying to find the words to negotiate a détente with a man who he shouldn’t have to do such a thing with when Teddy spoke again.
Flinging his hand out, he said, “She put that there, pride of place, because of you.”
Tom felt his neck get tight.
“Sorry?”
“The microscope,” Teddy explained. “When I asked why she placed it there, she said, ‘It reminds me of Tom.’ And this was before the two of you became a two of you.”
Jesus Christ.
That piece was out, placed where it was, because of him?
Teddy wasn’t done.
“She bought that place in Arizona, also because of you.”
For a second time that morning, with the bombs dropping around him, Tom was struck mute.
“You got divorced, she wanted to be close to you,” Teddy said.
Tom opened his mouth but got nothing out before Teddy kept firing away.
“You live there. You like it there. You can play tennis and golf year-round.” Definitely a supercilious lip curl on the last. “She’ll eventually move there, for you.”
Things were becoming clearer as to why Teddy had an issue with him.
However, Tom was feeling exceptionally uncomfortable that Teddy was sharing all of this, and not Mika.
“Listen, Teddy—”
“And you’re a cheat,” Teddy spat.
Tom blinked and his head jerked as that particular mortar landed at his feet and exploded right in his face.
“Aren’t you? You’re a cheat,” Teddy went on.
“I was wondering how deep you’d dig your grave.”
Tom didn’t move.
Teddy whirled around.
Mika entered the room from the doorway closer to the front of the house.
She walked to stand in front of a beat-up leather chair, and once there, she planted her hands on her hips.
She was wearing a pair of caramel-colored, wide-legged, silk drawstring pants and a bulky, oversized, cropped, ivory cashmere sweater.
Her hair was a mess on top of her head.
She was makeup-less, had a pair of fluffy slippers on her feet, and she was so pissed, her anger vibrated in the room.
She was also formidable.
Unbeatable.
In fluffy slippers.
Tom was impressed.
“Can you explain,” she asked Teddy casually, “what the fuck you think you’re doing?”
“I—” Teddy began, his face pale.
Mika swung an arm up in front of her, saying, “Never mind. I don’t care.” She turned to Tom. “Yes, it’s true. Both. That microscope is there because it reminds me of you. And I bought a home in Arizona because I wanted to reconnect with you. Although I’m sure both come as a surprise with the way you learned about them, I hope, when you think about it, they don’t. Because I believe I made it clear how deeply I felt connected to you when I met you. And when something like that happens, it just doesn’t ever die.”
That wasn’t a bomb.
That was a miracle balm that felt like it could soothe every hurt.
It felt like it because Tom had had a rough twenty minutes.
And suddenly, he was feeling just fine.
“Mika—” Teddy said quietly.
She ignored him and kept her attention on Tom.
“That’s probably a lot for you, but you should know. I would have told you, just maybe not so soon. That said, I needed a change. Cadence is leaving the nest imminently, and I realized I needed space to deal with her loss. I know she’s not really going anywhere, but she is. I suspect you understand exactly what I’m talking about. In other words, I was seeking peace. I love the city and you know I’ll never fully leave. But I wanted an escape. A new perspective. Therefore, it wasn’t only being close to you that made me find that house.”
“Mika,” Teddy said, having had time to recover, his voice was firm.
She turned to him but said nothing, didn’t even raise her brows.
“I only have your best interests at heart,” he told her.
“Really? Is that why you shared things with Tom that I haven’t even shared yet, and I’m fucking him?” she asked coolly.
“You two became very close very quickly,” Teddy retorted. “Mixing families. Him spending the night when Cadence is here.”
“And you have a say in this why?” she asked.
“I’m your friend,” he retorted. “I care about you. I’ve known you fourteen years, and I’ve been working for you for ten.”
“Yes, Teddy, thank you for reciting that history. I do remember. Which begs the question why you would share my secrets and why you would insult my boyfriend ever, but in my home, for God’s sake?”
“It isn’t just you who’s in this relationship, it’s Cadence as well,” Teddy replied.
“Please tell me why you keep telling me things I know?”
On that, Teddy lost it.
“Because, my dear, I happen to be losing her too,” he spat. “Has that occurred to you? You’re in your studio, doing something, ring ring”—he took on a falsetto voice which made Tom very much want to laugh, however, obviously, he did not—“‘Teddy? Can you go get my girl from school?’ But of course I can, because she’s my girl too. I’ve picked her up from school. Brought her home. Fed her. Took her shopping. Took her to dinner. To brunch. To drum lessons. Organized slumber parties for her. Chaperoned that awful pizza party fiasco.”