Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Wife, I hope you don’t work too hard.
I won’t, husband. I have a busy day tomorrow.
Yes, you do. I’ll pick you up for breakfast before we head into the mall.
I hesitate, not sure how to respond exactly, so he responds. I promise I’m not some crazy bastard.
Isn’t that what a crazy person would say?
That’s fair, but just ask your sister.
I don’t need to. She already vouched for you. Aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting?
I’m waiting for one other member to arrive. About ten seconds later, another message comes in. They’re here. Have a good day, beautiful.
I set my phone down on the table and close my eyes. I’m not sure how to handle that man. He’s insanely attractive, wealthy, hardworking, successful, and everything that a woman could ask for.
My phone pings again and I quickly pick it up, eager to see what he says, but it’s Ryan.
Sorry about the ex-wife and wasting your time. She’s being difficult for no reason.
It’s not a big deal. I have a lot to do today and tomorrow, so it’s fine.
We hoped to see you before Christmas.
I did see Max, though. I include a smiley face and a Christmas tree emoji.
A strange feeling washes over me and I nudge the kitty off me before getting up and checking the locks on my doors. It’s stupid since I’ve been going to their house for two years, but with their custody issues, I don’t want to be in the middle of it.
My stomach rumbles, so I head into my small kitchen nook and heat up some homemade soup and toast up some bread I bought at the market yesterday. My kitty meows at my feet, rubbing up against them, wanting to sneak outside even though it’s starting to snow.
“Fine, but you’re going to want to come right back in,” I explain to him, as if he understands me. Standing, I open the back door and let him out, closing the door behind him. Taking a seat, I get in one bite before I hear him meowing to be let in. Of course he is, and I shake my head and take a bite of my bread before standing to let him back into the house.
“I told you it was too wet and cold out there.” He wails and meows before rubbing up against me again and then back to his bed in the living room. I shake my head because I don’t know who is crazier, me or him.
Ignoring the finicky cat, I go back to my food and enjoy the tasty meal while it’s still hot. With the cold weather, it really hits the spot.
My phone rings this time, but I let it go to voicemail because I don’t have any interest in speaking to Ryan and I’m afraid that it’ll be him. It rings again, so I let it go until I finish my food. Once I get done with my meal, I find I was right. It was Ryan calling and obviously a very pointless call because there’s nothing that needs to be said after our texts.
My phone rings in my hand and I lose it, answering it with an angry “What?”
“Sorry, chickee. I was just seeing how you were doing after your busy day.”
“My busy day? You’re the one working in the mall of madness right now.”
“Yes, but you had a run-in with the boss and then you’re babysitting.”
“Actually, I’m home with Jinx, being absolutely lazy. I didn’t have to babysit after all.”
“Well then, I’m sorry for bothering you. Get some rest because I have a feeling Mr. Nicholas isn’t going to give you any rest once he gets his hands on you.”
“Whatever. I’ve got some cleaning to do now that I have some free time.”
“No, you need to relax. Do you know how to do that?”
“Like you’re one to talk.” I hear commotion in the background.
“Sorry. I’ve got to let you go. Issues as always. See you tomorrow.” I ended the call with my sister and then let out a massive sigh. All I can think about is seeing Trent tomorrow, so instead of wasting my time watching the clock, I get to cleaning my house.
It takes until seven to get it spotless and then I collapse on my sofa, feeling exhausted. “Jinx, why didn’t you tell me to stop before my arms were noodles?” I ask my cat, who barely lifts his head from his perch on the arm of the sofa.
My front window shines brightly with my Christmas tree and lights, but I can see that the snow has fallen. With a sigh, I get up and head into the kitchen to make something small for dinner. After cooking a quick one-pan chicken and rice dish, I plop down on my couch with my legs crossed and turn on the television. I select one of my Christmas favorites and then sit back and enjoy my food.