Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Pushing the remains of my lunch off to the side, I kick my feet up on my desk and lean back in my chair to text her: How’s your day?
I look out the window at the city, finding a new appreciation today for the view I have. When I’m at the office, I don’t typically have time to enjoy such simple pleasures. Makes it almost pointless to pay this much a month when one of the highlights goes unnoticed.
My phone buzzes. I heard from the detective. There’s nothing to report.
I type: No news is good news?
Tuesday: We’ll go with that.
She’s trying her best to stay positive, but it doesn’t surprise me that his update, or lack of one, feels more like a punch to the gut. I can’t imagine my family, or even Leisa, not searching until they found me.
I plant my feet back on the ground, remembering when I was told to get to the hospital back in Beacon because my brother was near death. I chose to bury my head in my studies at university and ignore what was really happening while he was running around with a cousin that only wanted to bring him down. We didn’t know if he’d survive. I didn’t know what I would have done without him in my life. We grew up close, and I would do anything for my siblings and parents.
I rub my hands over my face. Every family has its battles. I’m just glad his death isn’t one of ours.
Nothing she’s shown me would cause a rift in her family. I feel the same as I did the other day. Not getting off on the right foot can be chalked up to a bad day. If she were mine, I would be searching heaven and earth for her.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. With my unlimited financial resources, I can do with the police can’t on their limited budget.
Sending another text, I type: I should be home around 7. Do you have plans?
Tuesday: I do. At 7. See you then.
Knowing she’ll be in my apartment waiting for me inspires me to shift gears and get out of here.
My energy drops, and I hit a wall just after four. I need to stretch my legs and get some caffeine to wake up if I’m going to be ready for my next meeting. I tap Leisa’s desk as I pass her. “Going for fresh air.”
“Who are you?” she asks with a laugh as she spins in her chair.
Throwing my arms out wide, I shrug because I guess I’m now a shrugger. I start walking backward. “Guess it’s true. It’s never too late to change.”
That sends her into laughter. “I approve of said changes.”
Determined to steal some of the energy of the city, I turn around and push through the door. As soon as I reach to punch the button to call the elevator, one of them lands on the floor and the doors slide open. I step forward but stop. “Dad?”
My dad steps off and grabs my shoulder, squeezing it. “Loch. Just the man I came to see.” He turns back. “You heading out?”
I watch the doors close again, noting my good mood descending with it. “No.”
“Good. Let’s set up in your office.”
Leisa hears us before we reach my office and stands. “Good to see you, Mr. Westcott.”
“You too, Leisa. All good in your life?”
Her warm smile welcomes him. “Peachy.”
“Excellent.”
When my dad enters my office, she whispers, “Did you know he was coming?”
“I was about to ask you the same.” I keep my voice just as low as hers.
She nods, shrinking her shoulders. “Sorry.”
“All good things must come to an end.” I follow him inside and close the door behind me. My dad is a good guy. I shouldn’t feel this way about seeing him. But wind and sails come to mind regarding his timing.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the city?”
He sits on the couch with his briefcase beside him, grinning as proud as a peacock. “Thought I’d surprise you. I have plenty of work to do and figured I could do it in Manhattan as easily as in Beacon. Harbor’s back from his trip. We can have a boys weekend.”
I know Port Westcott better than he thinks. Work is just an excuse to visit. As I sit at my desk, it’s hard to be bothered by a father who just wants to spend time with his kids. Normally, I’d be all for it. We always have a good time, but his unexpected arrival puts a wrench in my plans with Tuesday. Not that I thought getting laid was guaranteed, but it’s on the table based on how eager she was to proceed last night.
Fuck.
Just thinking about her last night and the feel of her coming undone has me scheming to get out of this predicament and into her instead.