Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 131728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Calm, calm . . . keep fucking calm.
“First, I have only been your girl since yesterday because you refused to admit your true feelings. That is not his fault. Joel is an innocent bystander in all of this.”
He opens his mouth to say something.
“Let me finish,” I snap, cutting him off. “Second, I am an adult. I do not ghost people like an immature child, unlike some people we know.”
He narrows his eyes. “Careful.”
“You be careful, Henley,” I snap. I get out of bed in a rush and walk into the bathroom and close the door. I sit down to go to the bathroom.
He walks in. “You’re not going to lunch with him. End. Of. Fucking. Story.”
“Do you mind? I’m using the toilet,” I snap, infuriated.
He puts his hands on his hips and raises an eyebrow. “So?”
“So I am not having this conversation midpiss.”
He marches back out and slams the door.
Fuck my life. I don’t need this bullshit. It’s not even 6:00 a.m. yet. I take my time, trying to calm down my temper.
This is all new for him, I remind myself. He doesn’t know how to handle jealousy. Be patient.
Okay . . .
This is fine. I can handle this . . . keep calm.
I wash my hands and walk out to see the bedroom spotless and the bed made.
He’s like a fucking drill sergeant.
I hear something bang downstairs in the kitchen, and I put my robe on and walk downstairs to see him making a protein shake with his back to me.
I put my arms around him from behind. “Okay.” I kiss his shoulder.
“Okay what?”
“Okay, I won’t have lunch with him. I will come and have lunch with you instead.”
He turns in my arms and looks down at me. I kiss his lips. “After I tell him in person, over a cup of coffee.”
He opens his mouth, and I put my finger over his lips. “Henley. This is nonnegotiable. He has been a friend and my interior designer. I am telling him in person.”
He twists his lips, and I know he’s trying his hardest not to react.
“A quick ten-minute cup of coffee, and then I come and have lunch with you.” I smile up at him. “I owe him this much. He likes me.”
“I know he fucking likes you.”
“But that’s too bad, because I love you.”
“I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to.” I kiss him softly. “But you do need to understand.”
He exhales heavily and unwraps my arms from around his waist. “I have to go.”
“Okay.”
He holds his protein shake in his hand and stares at me as if contemplating his next sentence.
“Do I get an I love you this morning?” I smile teasingly.
“When you get to my office and it’s done, you will.”
“We need some time alone. Can we go on our vacation?”
“I have a million things on.”
“Hmm.” I try to sweeten the deal. “A week in the sun and the ocean with me in a string bikini, my big buff boyfriend rubbing suntan oil all over my body. Making love on the beach under the moonlight.”
“Sounds terrible.” A trace of a smile crosses his face, and I know our fight is over.
I smile and kiss him. “So can we?” I really want to reset away from here and all our crappy memories.
“When do you want to go?” he asks.
“Next week?”
“Next week?” he gasps. “I can’t pack up and go away in a week.”
“Why not? Aren’t you the boss?” I smile hopefully. “If I can organize someone to cover my shifts next week and Chloe can look after Barry and check on your dad, can we go?”
He exhales heavily.
“Chloe is a nurse. She can check on your dad every day. She will call us immediately if you are needed here, and we can come straight home.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“So . . . I’m taking that as a yes. I’m an optimist, you know.”
He rolls his eyes. “Goodbye, Juliet.”
I grab the lapels of his suit and pull him to me. “Goodbye, my grumpy, hot boyfriend.”
He screws up his face in disgust. “I don’t like that term.”
“Grumpy?”
“Boyfriend.”
I giggle. “Hurry up and marry me, then, so you can be my mister.”
His face falls.
“Joking!” I laugh at his horror. “Relax, it was a joke.”
“Not a funny one, Juliet.”
“Yeesh . . .”
He walks to the door and looks back at Barry and me. “You need to wash the coffee cups before you leave.”
I widen my eyes and point to the door. “Go to work.”
I sit in the café with my heart in my throat. I feel like shit. This is not Joel’s fault. This is a circumstance of very bad timing. Joel comes into view, and he waves and smiles when he sees me. “Hi.” He bends and kisses my cheek.
I’m an asshole.
“Hello.” He smiles as he falls into the chair opposite me.
“I already ordered us coffee.” I shrug. “Hope that’s okay.”