Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“Jesus, Mace, don’t just stand there and not knock. Come in,” Celeste states, opening the door just as I was about to do what she accuses me of not doing.
“Hey, Celeste, thanks for making the time to see me.” her husband, Wylder, comes up behind her, placing his hand on his hip.
“Mace, this is my husband, Wylde.” I hold my hand out to shake his. He sizes me up, not that I blame him. I’ve got a lot of repairing to do, and I know this is one of the many.
“Nice to meet you,” I say. He shakes my hand, squeezing it in his grasp. I’m not an idiot. A handshake says a lot about a man, and I’m not going to be a pussy about it, so I make sure nothing is written across my face and do the same right back to him.
“Likewise. I’m off to work, unless you need me to stay?” he asks Celeste as the two of them back up to let me inside. I don’t move, though, feeling like an intruder in the conversation they’re having without words. I’m glad Celeste found something like Tyra and I once had. I just hope like hell Wylde doesn’t screw up like I did.
“I’m fine. I’ll see you later. Drive safe.” I avert my eyes while they wrap it up, looking at the skyline of Nevada over their shoulders.
“See you soon.” My gaze sweeps back to them. “Mace, hope you know you got a woman who is willing to forgive you, but man to man, I wouldn’t let that woman go.”
“I’m not planning on it, not ever again,” I tell him.
“Good, I’ll see you around, then.” He walks out of the penthouse, in a suit, custom-tailored like my own. The one downfall of being an attorney is the clothes you’re expected to wear. That’s going to change once my law firm is open and ready. If you’re not seeing clients, then wearing something casual will definitely happen.
“Mace, it’s good to see you. Do you want anything to drink, food?” Celeste asks. I make my way inside, following her to the kitchen, where she moves towards the fridge.
“Thanks, it’s good to see you too, and I don’t need anything. I appreciate you taking my call and making time for me on your day off.” That’s how it works at the spa Celeste owns. The days Tyra has off, Celeste is there, and vice versa. I know there was a mention of going in as partners at one point in time, but I’m pretty sure it was around the time shit hit the fan with our divorce, and Tyra didn’t want to commit to it when she wasn’t sure where things were going to land.
“Yeah, I probably shouldn’t have, at least until I’ve spoken to Tyra. The other night came out of left field and had her reeling. I figured after the call I got yesterday that you’ve made significant changes in your life. For that, I’m grateful.” She grabs a bottle of water out of the fridge, unscrews the lid, and takes a sip before finishing, “I hope you know Tyra never stopped loving you. I’m glad things are changing for the better, but just so you know, I’m apprehensive for her as well as Von.”
“Yeah, I think that’s the consensus with everybody. I’m not saying my actions are okay and that I shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences because believe me, I deserve them. It’s why I’m trying to let my actions speak louder than words. If Tyra and I don’t work out—” I stop talking because the thought of that happening again makes my chest clench. How a year passed us by, and I didn’t figure my shit out before then, I’m unsure. It was lonely as fuck. I hated every minute. My only thought was that I’ve lost everything. Why would I lose work too? At least it kept me too busy to think. “God, this sucks. Anyways, I’m going to do whatever I can to make things right. Dates, wooing, making sure my law firm doesn’t take over my life, and when the time comes that Tyra will remarry me, it’ll be everything she wants, including our home. I owe you an apology as well. I’m sorry that you and Wylde have had to step up in a way you never should have. I’m also thankful.”
“Mace, I do believe you’re on the right track. I’ll help out when I can, taking Von, of course, and be there for Tyra in any ways I can.” She sets her bottle of water down, walks towards me, takes my hand, and squeezes it lightly. I place mine over hers, relief that I’ve righted a few of my wrongs rushing through me. The rest will take time, but I’m willing to put in the effort because the wait will be more than worth it.