Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
My life plan after that has always included purchasing a single-family home in Queens so I can be near my mom and Abby’s dad as they get older. When I have children, I want them to be as close to their maternal grandparents as possible.
“Your apartment is stellar.” He sighs. “I’ve been checking listings in the neighborhood to see if anything pops up.”
Surprised by that admission, I perk both of my eyebrows. “Are you saying you want to live close to me?”
He huffs out a nervous laugh. “I’m saying that I want a bigger apartment for my husband and me. Cam’s place isn’t much bigger than mine. I hope he’ll see the value in combining our resources to purchase an apartment we can grow into.”
“You and a baby can grow into,” I correct him.
His gaze wanders back to the mural. “That’s the dream, Carrie. That’s the dream.”
CHAPTER FORTY
Rook
“Carrie’s here with that guy who caught the bouquet at the wedding,” Holden says as he leads the way into the bustling diner my daughter insisted we come to for lunch.
Kirby stops mid-step to look up at me. “Is that the Carrie that Uncle Declan said is looking after Cindy? And why didn’t you catch the bouquet, Daddy? You know how much I like wedding cakes, and if someone catches a bouquet, it means they’re getting married soon.”
That’s a lot to unpack, so I handle the first question and ignore the rest for now. “Carrie is Abby’s sister.”
“What?” Her hand jumps in the air. “Auntie Abby has a sister? My mind is blown.”
She plays that out by tapping her fingers on her head before spreading them in the air.
I glance over my shoulder at my brother. “Are you to blame for that?”
Milo mimics Kirby’s head explosion mime with his hands. “Maybe.”
Shaking my head, I laugh. “Seems more like a yes than a maybe to me.”
“Hey, that looks like Posey.” Milo gestures toward where the trio is seated. “That cute thing sitting next to her is Abby’s stepsister?”
“She is cute.” Kirby giggles. “Posey is, too.”
Holden moves toward them. I wasn’t planning on seeing Carrie today, but I won’t pass on the opportunity to spend a few minutes staring at her.
It may not be ideal that my daughter is with me, but given my closeness to Abby and Declan, it was only a matter of time before they met.
“Hey, Carrie!” Holden calls out as we near them.
“Is she involved with that guy she’s sitting next to?” Milo asks in a whisper.
I shoot him a pointed look over my shoulder. “He’s her best friend, and she’s not interested in you.”
“You know this how?” he presses as we continue navigating around tables filled with diners.
All I offer in response is a shake of my head.
By the time I’m at the table with my little girl’s hand still holding mine, Carrie is on her feet and in Holden’s arms.
“Ah, I get it,” Milo whispers into my ear. “She’s got a thing for Holden.”
Jesus.
“She doesn’t,” I direct that right at my brother’s face. “Drop it, Milo.”
He tosses his hands in the air as if surrendering, but it’s delivered with a smirk.
“I’m Kirby Thorsen.” My daughter bulldozes her way into the middle of the embrace to tug on the bottom hem of Carrie’s sweater. “You’re Auntie Abby’s sister.”
Holden steps back to give Kirby the room she wants.
With an offered hand, Carrie smiles. “I am. It’s nice to meet you, Kirby Thorsen.”
Kirby shakes Carrie’s hand with all the exuberance you’d expect from a giddy five-year-old. “I like your glasses.”
Since Kirby is once again donning the lens free red frames on her face, Carrie returns the compliment. “I like your glasses, too.”
“They make me smarter.” Kirby sighs. “Do yours make you smart? Are you a lawyer like Auntie Abby?”
“I’m a chemist,” Carrie explains thoughtfully. “I make new perfumes in a lab.”
“I do, too,” Telford chimes in.
Kirby glances at him. “You have nice glasses, too. I’m Kirby.”
“Telford.” He pats her shoulder lightly.
After offering Telford a smile, Kirby’s attention is right back on Carrie. “A chemist sounds fun. I have a chemistry set. Is it like that?”
Before Carrie can say another word, I jump into the discussion. “It’s kind of like that. Carrie is a scientist, Kirby. She’s developed some of the best fragrances in the world. In fact, the cologne I wear every day is one of Carrie’s creations. She’s brilliant and incredibly kind. She’s truly a remarkable woman.”
All eyes focus on me, including Carrie’s.
“Busted,” Milo whispers over my shoulder. “Someone has it bad for Carrie, and it sure as hell isn’t Holden.”
I didn’t confirm or deny my brother’s suspicions because it’s none of his goddamn business. Beyond that, I don’t know if what I’m feeling for Carrie is related to the high I’m still riding from the sex last night or if I’m developing feelings for her.