Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Lynn,” Elise starts.
I hold my hand up and shake my head. “Matt, Wilson, I need you to get me and Jess out of here. I don’t need to be followed. I need to get her home and I need some time,” I call out.
I take a deep breath and look at Jess. “I need to get dressed.”
“Okay.”
CHAPTER 16
Words That Killed
Lynn
I look at my reflection in the mirror and run my hands down my sides. The black maxi dress is sexy and flattering to all my assets.
It has cute flirty cap sleeves, it dips into a V at the neckline show a little cleavage. The sides are cutout and the back dips dangerously low as a bow ties just above my behind.
“These should finish the look,” Maggie says as she comes over with a pair of red patent leather heels.
I take them and slip them on. Reaching up, I finger the large curly waves my hair is in. The front is pulled back and up into a little ponytail as the rest hangs down around my shoulders, taking ten to fifteen years off my age.
I asked Maggie to leave my face natural. My lips just have a little gloss on them, and I have on some mascara. If I end up walking away from Trevor forever tonight, he’s going to eat his heart out while I do.
If not, I plan to restart his heart when he sees me in the flesh for the first time in nineteen years. I’m going to see him on my terms. I’m going for the truth.
“You ready in there?” Matthew calls into the room.
I take one last glance and draw in a deep breath. I’m really doing this. Deep down, I don’t want to, and I hope I don’t regret it.
I think back to the words I admitted to Nanna. What if I can’t bring myself to feel safe with any man? What if I panic from Trevor’s touch as I have all the others when I’ve tried to date.
I shake the thought off and shake my hands out in front of me. Elise comes over and squeezes my shoulders. I turn to look her in the eyes. She gives me a smile.
“Don’t worry, this is Trevor. Y’all be fine. This is long overdue. Get the truth, Cakes. Don’t leave that man without getting the truth from his lips.
“If he did write that letter, I’ll follow you anywhere in the world to get away. I’ll book the flight as soon as you get back, but my heart tells me to start looking at Texas listings. It’s time to come home,” she says softly.
“We’ll see.”
“Listen, if you work this out with Monroe, I’ll face my demons and call my husband,” she says.
My mouth falls open. “Okay. That still sounds weird when you say it.”
“Yeah, feels weird but doesn’t make it any less true.”
“You don’t have to do that for me. You guys have been through so much. I don’t want you to force things on account of me.”
“Honey, this has been long overdue as well. I either need to piss or get off the pot. Them old backward folks have lived their lives. It’s time we live ours. That is if he’ll give me a second chance.”
I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze. “He will. I think he’s just been waiting for you to miss him.”
“Enough about me. Go get your man.”
I release a short nervous laugh. I have no idea what I’m about to walk into. To be honest, I could very well be setting myself up for embarrassment and heartbreak.
Maggie and Elise walk me out of the room. Jess’s eyes light up when she sees me. I rub my sweaty palms against my thighs.
“You look so hot. Daddy’s not going to know what hit him. Come on, he’s at the ranch. Cliff says he’s been there all night. I just finished texting with him,” Jess says excitedly.
“Here take this in case you get cold,” Maggie says as she hands me a denim crop jacket.
I take it and tug it on as I feel the chill from the thought of what I’m about to do. Looking at the hope in Jess’s face, I know I can’t chicken out. I’m committed. There’s no turning back now.
Matthew releases a low whistle. I turn to find him and Wilson taking me in. Wilson clears his throat and looks away. “Lucky bastard,” he mutters under his breath.
“Wilson has moved the SUV into the private underground parking garage. We’ll walk you two down there. I want you to keep this tracker with you. There’s a panic button in case you need it.
“Be smart and stay safe, Lynn. When you’re ready to come back, call. We’ll come to you and bring you back,” Matthew says.
“Thanks.”
“Let’s move,” Wilson says.
We file out and move to the service elevator. We ride down to the lot, and Jess and I hop into the SUV. All of her shopping bags have already been loaded inside.