Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“That would be so much fun,” Skyla exclaims. “Aunt Quinn, do you want to go?” She turns her attention over to Quinn, who is leaning against the wall like she’s not sure if she wants to join us—well, more like join me—and is shooting daggers my way.
“Sky, why don’t you go wash your hands, so you can help your dad start dinner?” she says, not answering the question.
“Okay.” Skyla shrugs and then takes off upstairs.
Once she’s out of earshot, Quinn says, “You aren’t her parent. You shouldn’t make plans with Skyla without asking Jase.” I frown at her words. She’s right, I’m not Skyla’s parent, but I didn’t think it would be an issue.
“You’re right. I’ll ask Jase in the future.”
“And what about the fact that renting a yacht will cost thousands of dollars?” Quinn continues. “You don’t think that’s a bit excessive? She’s thirteen years old and needs to learn that she can’t just have whatever she wants.”
“Maybe.” I raise a shoulder, not understanding why my wanting to make Skyla happy is such an issue. Her grandparents spoil her with materialistic possessions. “But if it’s what will make her happy, then who cares?”
My phone rings with an incoming call, so I pull it out of the pocket of my bathing suit coverup and click the side button to silence it since it’s my mom. Not having had spoken to her in a while, I’m about to excuse myself to call her back, when Quinn says, “You might be some rich and famous model or whatever”—she flicks her hand in the air—“and Sky may look up to you, but Jase wants more for his daughter.”
Ouch! Okay, then. “What’s your problem, Quinn?” I stand and walk toward her.
“You,” she says simply.
“Well, that much is obvious.” I roll my eyes. “But what about me is exactly your problem?” Other than a few times of hanging out during the week Jase and I spent together all those years ago, we barely know each other.
“For starters, my brother cares a lot about you, yet you were able to walk away from him without so much as a goodbye.” I open my mouth to argue why I did just that, but she continues, “And how about the fact that you only date wealthy, white-collared businessmen.” Her brows raise, daring me to argue.
“Isn’t your boyfriend wealthy?” Rick Thompson owns several investment firms all over the world.
“Yes, but unlike you, I don’t have a type, and my brother definitely isn’t your type. So what are you doing with him? Getting your fix of the ‘bad boy.’” She actually uses air quotes. “And once you’ve had enough, you’ll what…leave him again?”
“For your information”—I step closer to Quinn, so I don’t have to raise my voice—“Jase knows why I left. Not that I have to justify myself to you, but it was a horrible misunderstanding. I regret that I didn’t speak to him before I left, but I can’t take it back now. And while, yes, the wealthy, white-collared businessman was my go-to type, it was only because I wasn’t looking for love.”
“And now you are?” she volleys.
“Yes,” I say with a nod, “I am, and I love your brother.”
“And I love you, too,” Jase says, pulling me into his side. I don’t even know when he joined us. “Quinn, I know you mean well, but please give Celeste another chance. What happened back then was a shitty misunderstanding, and Celeste and I have both moved forward. I would appreciate if you would do the same.”
“Fine,” Quinn says, “but do you really think it’s wise that Celeste is offering to take Sky on yachts? She’s going to think that’s normal.”
“And her wearing Burberry boots and Coach glasses is?” Jase says, defending me and pointing out exactly what I was just thinking. “Not everything is black and white, sis.”
“That’s different,” she argues. “You don’t have a choice. It’s the only way Amaya’s parents will leave you alone.”
“We always have a choice,” he says, “and you’re right, it is different. My thirteen year old walks around in outfits that sometimes cost as much as the mortgage on this house.” He chuckles softly with a shake of his head. “And it’s because her grandparents choose money over love. They’re doing the same thing to my daughter that they did to theirs. They’re trying to buy her love. But as her dad, it’s my job to teach her the difference. And I don’t, for a second, think Celeste offered to take Skyla out on a yacht as a way to buy her love.” My heart swoons at Jase’s words. He didn’t even hear our conversation yet he’s giving me the benefit of the doubt.
“And,” he adds with a sexy smirk, “I would like nothing more than for Sky to end up just like Celeste.” Oh! He did hear our conversation. “Yes, she’s rich, but that’s only because she’s strong and determined and motivated.” Hot tears well up in my eyes at his words as he continues. “There are a million models out there almost as gorgeous as Celeste.” He winks at me playfully. “But not all of them are as successful. Not all of them work as hard to pave their own future. Celeste isn’t just some model. She’s a smart and savvy businesswoman, and I fully support my daughter looking up to her.”