Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
But I’ll do my damnedest to leave it behind in San Francisco. Bringing it with me to Evergreen Falls is entirely too risky—for my head and my heart. I head to the garage, calling Felicity on the way. We chat as I toss my suitcase in the trunk of my car—a matte black electric vehicle built from the ground up by a renowned pair of car builders in New York, Max Summers and his wife, Henley Rose.
As I close it, I answer Felicity’s question about when Mac will join me. “I’ll send Bibi’s driver to pick up Mac and her cousins, along with her friends, tomorrow.”
Felicity laughs softly. “Or should I just put her on a private jet?”
I laugh too. “Yes, it is ridiculous I suppose that a driver will escort our daughter and company. But she did request it. They like to watch movies in the limo.”
“Of course Mac requested it. I would have requested limo rides when I was eleven too, if given the choice.”
“Same here.” I shift gears to Felicity. “Good luck at your New Year’s Day show. Mac and I are excited to see it,” I say, then wince at the reminder of the calendar. Fable and I will likely be “broken up” by then. I don’t want to think about New Year’s Day or breakups.
“Will you bring your new woman?” Felicity asks, her voice teasing and playful. “Mac’s told me all about her.”
I wish I could say yes. “We haven’t talked about it,” I say decisively, hoping that ends the conversation I don’t want to have.
“Let me know so I can get you extra VIP tickets. It would be lovely to meet her. Did you find the right sparring partner at last?”
Frankly, I’m not sure I’d be able to fit romance in my life if it came my way for real. But I have plenty of other good things going on, so that’s just fine. And really, I have two more immediate issues occupying my mind—refining this fake romance routine so Bibi won’t see through Fable and me, and then slaughtering that asshole ex of Fable’s in the Christmas competition. “Let’s not get ahead of things. We’re just dating,” I say, hoping to dodge the topic of the right person.
Felicity laughs. “Wilder Blaine. Someday you’re going to fall head over heels for a woman and I’m going to write a song about the unbreakable man breaking.”
I roll my eyes. That will never happen, but still I say, “I’ll consider myself warned.”
I end the call as an unexpected thought lands in my head—breaking. Me breaking. In the cabins, when it’s snowing, and the world’s gone quiet. I set my hand on the roof of the car, letting that image roll through me. It’s tempting, like a siren, but dammit—I can’t let it distract me. I shake it off then hop in the car, where a text flashes on the screen from my mother. I click on it.
Mom: Are you heading to Evergreen Falls today? Can’t wait to see my granddaughter soon. And you :) Also, I have a question about Mac’s present. But I need to check on something first. More later! Xoxo
I send a quick reply, letting her know yes, I’m on my way, I’m glad I’m second best, and I’ll help her with the present question anytime. I drive to Fable’s place in the Mission District. As I turn onto her block, a zing shoots through my chest over the prospect of seeing her any second. I’ve been feeling those zings more and more lately.
But it’s probably just the natural curiosity over checking out her building. I wouldn’t be so successful if I didn’t learn everything there was to know about all aspects of my business, from deals to contracts to employees to, apparently, fake girlfriends. After I park, I head up the steps and press the exterior buzzer for her place.
Her face appears on the screen, with a bright but apologetic grin. “I’m almost ready. I swear! I just had a minor toaster mishap, but I’ll be down in five. Actually, do you want to come up?”
More than I should.
“Sure,” I say, and the zing makes a liar of me.
So, that wasn’t just natural curiosity. It was hope—the hope to learn more about her. Nothing to do but give in to it since seconds later, she’s letting me in.
I head up the stairs to Fable’s home, more thrilled than I should be to see an employee’s apartment. I pause at the top of the steps, not to catch my breath, but to settle the pulse that’s stupidly springing in excitement.
Get a grip, man. She’s your fake girlfriend, and this is not a window into her world.
But when she swings open the door, I’m all wrong. It’s a window into her life and I’m ravenous for the view.