Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. “We're going to get through this, Katie. I promise.”
“We will as long as you stay safe. There have been too many close calls, and I'm worried that something terrible will happen. I love you so much, and I can't lose you again,” she says.
Pulling her close, I can tell she's worried as hell as I slide my lips against hers. “I love you too. I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart. I promise.”
When we break apart, I smile. “They're too stupid to pull this off. Look how many mistakes they've already made. It’s like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are trying to scare me. We just have to ensure you and Owen stay safe, and I don't let my guard down. Justice will be served; I can guarantee you that. With all the attention on what happened and what's been happening, I imagine they’ll lie low for a while to figure out their next move.”
“You're right. A lot of people were talking about the accident today, and news has traveled fast. Oh, I got you shepherd's pie,” she says, changing the subject.
“Really? I haven't had that in forever.”
She grins. “I know. It’s Belinda's famous recipe too.”
As if my stomach understands, it growls. Katie checks the time and sighs. “I should get Owen home. He has homework, then needs to eat dinner and take a bath.”
“Okay, thank you,” I say. “You're too good to me.”
“Just wait and see how good I am to you when you're better,” she teases with a wink.
“Damn,” I say, adjusting myself. “Hopefully, I recover sooner than later.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
KATIE
I can't believe it's already been a week since Noah's accident. Over the past few days, we've texted and talked as much as we possibly can. Noah's been a lot more angsty and irritable than usual, and I'm worried he's going to overdo it because he’s growing bored. Since he's still recovering, I've tried to keep his mind on other things that don’t involve the accident or work. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't sent him a few scandalous pictures when I got out of the shower last night. The thought has me smirking as I drink my second cup of coffee this morning.
Missy walks by with a lifted eyebrow, and before she can say anything, I shoo her away. As she continues toward the break room, I hear her chuckle. There's never a dull moment when she's around, something I can be grateful for considering the bank is boring most of the time. After I spend an hour on a call explaining interest rates in great detail to a customer, I finally pull my phone out of my desk drawer and see a text from Everleigh.
Everleigh: Brittany just left the boutique, and something is going on with her.
I check the time and saw she sent the message ten minutes ago. Considering it's a Friday and she launched new spring items today, I know she's probably busy. I text her back anyway.
Katie: What happened?
Fifteen minutes pass before she replies, and I swear I checked my phone every thirty seconds.
Everleigh: Sorry, Mrs. Beverly came in here talking my ears off about the weather. Anyway, Brittany was here acting strange. She was being overly nice, almost to the point where it seemed sarcastic. Her eyes were shifty, and she seemed nervous too.
I think back to the way Loretta acted at the bank, and it sounds eerily similar.
Katie: Did she say anything?
Everleigh: She asked if I’d heard from Noah.
I send a tirade of angry face emojis.
Everleigh: There was something venomous about the way she’d look at me, like her mask was melting off her face when I said he was fine and would fully recover.
Katie: It’s because she’s fake as fuck. And really wishes he was dead.
The more I think about this, the more annoyed I become.
Everleigh: Not to mention she tried on fifty different things and bought a key chain. A fucking key chain! It’s like she did that shit on purpose so I’d have to fold and rehang everything even though we’re busy as hell this morning.
Katie: Wow. I’m pissed for you right now.
Everleigh: She better never step foot in here again, or I might punch her in her face. Anyway, I gotta go. Super busy!
Katie: Don’t let her ruin your day! Sell all the things.
Everleigh: Thanks! Margaritas soon…please and thank you.
Katie: Deal!
Another hour passes, and I’ve had too much time to think about what Everleigh said. By the time my lunch break rolls around, I’m livid. I leave the bank with my phone in hand and find myself entering the deli on a mission.
Belinda’s carrying a tray of drinks and smiles when she sees me. “Hey sweetie, didn’t know you were stopping by today.”
“I’m not staying long,” I tell her as Brittany appears from the back. Her eyes meet mine, but it’s like there’s nothing behind them, almost as if she’s dead inside. However, her lips curl up into an evil grin, and I’m tempted to slap it right off her face as she walks toward me. “Need a menu?” Her voice is sugary sweet, and it takes all of my willpower not to roll my eyes.