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)
Expensive tailored suits are all lined up and hanging, shoes all polished and in pairs. I pull out the top drawer and see ties all rolled up and on display. This is like a fucking Prada store or something. I pull out the second drawer to find a display of expensive designer watches. Insecurity runs through me, and I slam the drawer shut in disgust.
I walk back out into his bedroom and sit nervously on his bed.
It’s a king size, with perfectly ironed white linen that has a navy stitching line about ten centimeters in from the edges. The only place I’ve ever seen this type of bed linen is in exotic house magazines.
I sit quietly on the bed as I look around his luxurious space. His bedside tables have neatly stacked novels and a crystal lamp on each side. Perfectly matched, like everything in Henley’s world.
What on earth do we have in common?
A sense of dread fills me. Even if we do work out . . . how long will it be for? He belongs with someone as perfect as him, not a hot mess like me who has dog fur on everything she owns.
“There you are,” his deep voice says from the doorway.
I force a smile. “Here I am.”
He leans onto the doorjamb. “What’s up?”
No kiss?
“Umm . . .” I pause as I try to get the wording right in my head. “Taryn just came over.”
“And?” He raises his eyebrow as if impatient.
“She thinks we have a double date with them tonight?”
He breaks into a breathtaking smile. “Well . . . kind of.”
“What do you mean, kind of?”
“They have been on my case, and I . . .” He shrugs.
“You what?” I snap.
“I thought tonight was a good opportunity to put it to bed and out of the way.”
“What happened to our date? I want you to myself. I don’t want to go out with Mason, and you are definitely not going out with fucking Taryn.”
“Relax.” He rolls his eyes and walks into his bathroom. “Blake and Antony are coming, too, with their girls.” He turns the shower on. “It’s a group thing. It’s no big deal.”
“Taryn thinks it’s a big deal, Henley,” I snap.
He drops his shorts and hops under the water. I’m instantly silenced by his beauty. He wets his hair and then begins to wash it.
“What happens if Mason makes a move on me?” I ask.
He smiles with his eyes closed. “Then I guess you handle it.”
He’s different.
“I don’t want to handle it,” I huff. “And what about Taryn? We both know she’s going to try something on you.”
He exhales heavily as if I’m inconveniencing him. “Juliet, I am not in the mood for your dramatics today. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
I stare at him. What’s going on here? He hasn’t touched me once.
“Okay, I’m going home,” I announce.
“See you tonight,” he replies casually. “Be here about six.”
I stand at the side of the shower waiting for him to resurface into his old self, but he doesn’t.
“What if I don’t want to go tonight?” I snap.
“Then don’t come.” He shrugs as he soaps himself up.
“What’s wrong with you today?”
“Nothing, why?”
“You’re acting weird.”
“Am I acting weird or are you acting clingy?”
I step back, affronted. Fuck this. I’m totally being clingy, not that I’ll ever admit it.
“Goodbye,” I snap.
“See you.” He smiles casually and goes back to washing himself.
I march down the stairs and back over to my house in a fit of rage. I am not going anywhere tonight with them.
Taryn can have them both.
“Henley, your house is just divine, darling.” Taryn smiles as she walks around his downstairs area.
Henley smiles like the cat that got the cream.
Ugh, this is the night from hell. I knew I shouldn’t have come.
I sip my wine, unimpressed. It will never be yours, bitch.
We are having a glass of wine at Henley’s before we head out tonight.
But what if he actually does like Taryn?
He doesn’t.
“Did you see the backyard, Taryn?” I call. “Come and I’ll show you.”
She follows me into the backyard and sees the swimming pool. “Oh my god, I can see myself here,” she calls.
Me, too, with cement blocks tied to your feet.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” I look around while thinking of what to say next. “This is awkward,” I whisper as I lean in close to her.
“What is?” she whispers back.
“This whole situation.” I glance inside to where the boys are. “Promise you won’t say anything,” I whisper.
“What?”
“I think Mason likes you.”
Her eyes widen. “What?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “He can’t keep his eyes off you.”
“Oh.” Her face falls. “Really?”
“I know, and he’s so hot. Special ops and all. I’m so disappointed. I really liked him . . . and then to find out that Henley only organized this night out because he likes him too.”
Taryn’s eyes widen, and she looks toward the house and then back to me. “What the fuck?”