Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
The bell over the door chimes again and I glance up, watching the man from earlier leave. I smugly look away, reminding myself Fritz is my everything. It’s been hard with my last year of school and his workload, but I know we’ll get back on track.
Picking up my cell from the table I check over my texts to see if Fritz has sent me anything. It still only shows the one from last night when I asked him if he’d be at the gallery in the morning. I know he owns the place, or maybe his family does. I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to be rude. I do know Fritz owns a few businesses, so he can’t be at all of them at once, and I’ll be meeting the woman who runs the gallery this morning.
There was a quick reply and some good luck emojis before he said he was getting back to work. Still, I was hoping I could have talked to him before my first day. He’s busy, and I remind myself to not let it get me down. Fritz isn’t the only boyfriend I’ve ever had, but he’s meant the most to me. Maybe now with me not being in college anymore things can go back to the way they were when we got to spend more time together. I know our relationship can only change for the better. How could it not?
I check my watch and see that I still have twenty minutes until I need to be there, but I’d rather be early than late. Grabbing my now empty cup, I toss it into the trash before heading to the bathroom. I stand at the mirror and take a look at myself to make sure I don’t have anything on me.
I’m wearing a white, button-up, long-sleeved shirt that is tucked into my wide-legged black pants. I paired it with simple black shoes that have a low heel. I want to be able to move around without my feet dying by the end of the day, but still be stylish. There’s a black silk bow at the neck of my shirt and I play with it for a second to make sure it’s perfect. I thought I should wear neutral colors until I see how other people are dressed.
My dark hair is down, falling over one shoulder in long, soft waves. I pull my lip gloss out of my purse and apply a little. I kept my makeup light, too. I knew this was an outfit Fritz would approve of. Simple and doesn’t stand out too much.
He once told me that’s how true southern belles dress and act. After that I’ve always tried to get my loud laugh and southern twang under control. It’s hard, but over the past few years I’ve gotten better at it.
Dropping my lip glass back into my purse, I grab my bag and head out to what I hope is the first day of the rest of my new life.
I wish there was a way to stop her. To explain all of this to her and to have her understand. My mind is telling me to just take her and worry about the consequences later. But in my heart, I know she’ll hate me if I do. If she found out the truth she’d never trust me and would never be able to forgive me for it. Or maybe she wouldn’t understand, because even I wonder if I’d really only be taking her for myself and not just to keep her safe.
She’s lost in thought as I casually order a coffee and sneak a glance in her direction. She’s facing the gallery across the street and probably contemplating her first day. Is she nervous? Does she have something for lunch?
I curse myself and clench my fists. I can’t allow myself to have these thoughts. I want her, but I can’t have her. All I can do is make sure she’s safe. I know she doesn’t want this job. My girl is always doing what she thinks she should be doing and not what she really wants. I’d let her be whatever she wanted.
When I exit the coffee shop, I pause for just a moment with my hand on the door. It’s only for a second, but I think of what it would be like to sit and have coffee with her. The moment is gone before she can look at me and register it, and I walk out into the sunshine.
It’s a beautiful day, but the only thing I can feel is the hollow space in my chest as I put distance between us, not sure how much longer I’ll be able to last.
Chapter 2
Blair
“Hi, I’m Blair Rosewood. I’m here to meet with Lilith Marsh,” I say softly. The gallery is so bright and full of white marble that even the slightest sound echoes.