Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“You probably want to kick my butt and tell me to get my life together right now, don’t you? But I think I finally am. At least I’m finally understanding what it is I want.”
I wanted my brother cared for.
Healed because I’d never stopped believing it was possible. Never stopped praying for that miracle.
God, if he could hug me one more time? What I wouldn’t give for that.
Beyond that?
I wanted a connection. The same thing I got to see in my friends.
A devotion and need that went beyond imagination.
I wanted to be cherished.
Adored.
And I wanted the gift of cherishing someone, too. Of them experiencing my love and my faith in them.
I wanted my person.
“I love you, Bobby. So much. And I will always, forever be fighting for you.” I curled his hand back around the charm, and I pushed to my feet and leaned over him so I could press a kiss to his forehead. “I could never ask for a better brother. Thank you for loving me, too.”
I eased away, my affection whispering around my lips. “I’ll see you in a few days, okay? And know I’m thinking about you…always.”
TWENTY-FIVE
MILO
Tessa’s hand trembled in mine.
“Holy fuckballs, I’m nervous,” she mumbled as she stared out the windshield to the restaurant where we were meeting my attorney.
A rough chuckle scraped out, though I’d be a liar if I said my knees weren’t knocking, too.
“You’re lucky I’m a fantastic actress, Milo, because shit just got real.”
She shifted her head to look at me from over the console.
Red hair swishing around her shoulders, freckles alight.
But it was a tidal wave of worry in those ocean eyes that rushed for the shore.
“Thought you said you’d lied under oath a hundred times?”
I attempted to keep it easy. Like this was no big deal. Like this whole plan wasn’t hinged on this moment.
Tessa gulped. “Well, I lied about that.”
Fuck, she was cute.
“You’ve got this, Little Dove. You’re the one who keeps telling me what we’re doing is right.” My hand squeezed around hers. “Can’t do this without you.”
How big of an asshole did that make me?
Felt like I was toying with her.
With her goodness.
With her kindness.
Because I’d given in three times, touched on her beauty, ate it up like I would never stop because finding pleasure beneath her hands was the best thing I’d ever felt.
Standing in her light.
Burned in her blaze.
But I couldn’t keep touching her if it only left me riddled with guilt.
Couldn’t put that on her. Couldn’t let her think for a second she’d become part of my shame.
Because she was everything that mattered. She deserved joy and love.
She deserved it all.
Someone who matched her radiant soul.
Someone who was decent.
Someone who was honest.
Someone who didn’t have ghosts following them to bed.
She exhaled a rough breath and smiled at me. “It’s an honor I get to do it alongside you.”
That feeling lifted and rose while we sat there staring at each other for a beat. I finally cleared my throat. “We should get inside.”
“Yup, let’s do this.”
She pulled her hand from mine and swiped her sweaty palms on her skirt, then she grinned over at me when she said, “Not the only place I’m sweating, in case you wanted to know.”
Laughter rumbled. Ease mixing with the anxiety.
“Wait right there,” I told her.
“Oh, right, yes, that’s what a good fiancé would do.” A tease played through her features.
I hopped out of the Tahoe, and I rounded the front and moved to open her door, taking her hand to help her out.
That energy rolled, a thunder in the air, this pure understanding and support radiating from her when she set those eyes on me.
Belief.
Affection.
Something else I needed to shun.
But right then, I threaded my fingers through hers and held on for dear life.
“You’ve got this, Milo Hendricks. You’re one of the best dads I know, and I know soon, your children are going to be home,” she whispered just for me as we walked together to the casual restaurant.
Opening the door, I let go of her hand so she could walk in front of me, though my mouth came to her ear as she passed, “Because of you, Little Dove.”
She glanced back at me, her smile so sweet. “Because of us, Milo. Because we’re a great freaking team.”
TWENTY-SIX
TESSA
I wasn’t lying. I was sweating in very unmentionable places. Because it was me, I’d mentioned them, anyway.
But bejeebus, I’d never been so nervous in my life. And we were going to have to take this to the stand? Holy mother, I’d probably look like I’d been dunked in the lake.
Milo kept his hand on the small of my back as he led me through the restaurant. Dark brown booths ran along the walls, and a bunch of plain wood tables sat in the middle.
Servers bustled through the space during the dinner rush, and most tables were filled.