Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 69129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
“I feel like shit about it.” He lovingly tangles himself around me. “And I feel like shit I didn’t call you when it’s clear now that I should’ve. That you should’ve been a part of the academy discussion. That you should know what’s happening with our son…with this whole abduction situation as it unfolds not after the fact.” Wes’s face falls a little closer to mine. “And you will. The instant Park has any leads regarding the woman we’ll both know.”
“Where are we in the process of that?”
“Legal is doing their best to expedite the process of retrieving the surveillance footage; however, Park is having cyber pull all the surrounding areas security and public feeds to potentially piece together her movements, perhaps tracing her whereabouts ultimately discovering a hideout or at the very least where she put on what was clearly a disguise.”
“Sounds like it’s going to be a long night.” I fold my hands together at the small of his back. “And like pizza for everyone is indeed a brilliant idea.”
“Shark bites was not a bad idea.”
“No, it was just the wrong idea for a child who has OCD tendencies he clearly inherited from his father.”
“Untrue.”
“Is that so avocado toast on Wednesdays?”
An impish glare is attached to a small spank to my ass.
“Uh-huh,” arrogantly seeps free between giggles. “Little Fins is definitely your mini.”
“Dis Captain Pike, we mirrored for makeoff!” Our son enthusiastically shouts from the other room, needlessly interjecting into our conversation.
Wes doesn’t skip his chance to return the expression. “You were saying?”
“I was saying…” my figure wiggles out of his hold, “that you need to invite Spock over to apologize and that I’ll arrange dinner for security while waiting for our dinner to get here.” One effortless flick sends the chip into the glass during my room retreating. “And that you really suck at quarters, Mr. Wilcox.”
“I will show you what I don’t suck at once Little Hero has gone to bed, Mrs. Wilcox.”
One flirty bite of my bottom lip is taken prior to turning away to prevent us being horny, irresponsible parents instead.
Making up is good.
Making up in the kitchen where your small, impressionable son can just wander in at anytime is not so good.
I don’t need that mom fail badge pinned to my chest.
I’ll have plenty of others.
Afterall, piloting the parent ship – just like the marriage one – is never ending.
Chapter 16
Wes
I adjust the grip I have on Wy’s neon pink, beach bucket that’s covered in Batman stickers at the same time I squat down to point to a twisty brown and white seashell. “What about this one?” Once I have his attention, I add, “It reminds me of an ice cream cone.”
He drops one hand onto his bright turquoise Batman themed swim trunks and uses the other to stroke his hairless chin, clearly imitating a villain having a thought.
Which he is.
At least when it comes to seashell collecting.
I can’t help but think this is how his uncle feels when presenting me with a new idea.
His uncle who we picked him up from this morning for this family beach vacation moment.
After apologizing to J.T. yesterday at an impromptu brunch outing with the entire in-town family – including Vanessa – he offered to keep Little Hero for the rest of the day, allowing Bryn and I a chance to not only make up further but to discuss with Park what information he as well as Finnigan, our in-house private investigator, had managed to discover regarding the mystery assailant.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t much.
Surveillance cameras lost her at a busy coffee shop filled with entirely too many fingerprints to try to sort through.
Finnigan has been tasked with looking into all the individuals who arrived within the predicted timeframe while Park is waiting for us to legally obtain the footage from the academy.
And Wy will be going to school on Monday.
However, we will be arranging it so that at least one member of plain clothes security can pose in the lobby each day as a “potential parent” for an extra measure.
It was the closest I could get to compromising.
I understand he needs stability and security, but I need him safe and alive.
Happy is the only thing that’s debatable.
Gingerly persuading him occurs with a loving smile as I pick it up. “For Aunty Nae?”
“Oooo,” my son coos in return and prepares to reach for it, only to abruptly stop. Frown. Put a tiny hand in front of my face and wave it in denial. “No.”
I grunt, roll my eyes, and toss the tiny shell back on the wet sand.
This is why his mother swears he’s an asshole.
Bryn lowers herself to her knees, bunching up her white, oversized, crew cut out, coverup that’s concealing the tiny black bikini she bought after brunch yesterday during the process to avoid getting it dirty. “I think I see something you might like.” She gently brushes away the sand with two fingers until it can be revealed, leaving the two of us no choice but to curiously watch. The instant she’s finished, she sings, “Tadahhhhhhh!”