Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Bishop texted me pictures of the twins. Damn, they’re so big already. I feel like I’ve missed so much,” he says with a smile as he takes one of the seats in front of my desk.
“Yeah, but that comes with the job.”
He falls back in his seat. “I didn’t come here to start that. I’m on leave. I want to spend time with my family and those I care about. I need to reconnect with reality and my humanity. I … Look, can we just have lunch?”
I bite my lip. There’s so much emotion in his voice. I take a closer look, and there’s something different about him. It’s in his eyes.
I swallow my smart remark and open the platter he placed in front of me. “Thank you for lunch,” I say.
“You’re welcome.”
“The boys are so big now. They have so much personality.”
“Yeah, I bet. We were a handful when we were younger. Mom doesn’t let us forget it either.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t.” I grin at the mention of his mom. Mrs. Moran is a handful herself. I steer clear of that woman. “How is she? It’s been a while since I’ve seen her over at your brother’s.”
Something crosses his face. He looks like the bite he just took turned sour. I’m taken aback by the response. Last time Saga mentioned her in-laws she didn’t say anything about them not being well.
“Mom is a bit smothering at the moment,” he murmurs.
“Smothering?”
“Yeah, I can’t get too much into it but work sort of spooked her and dad. We haven’t told anyone else about it,” he replies without looking up at me.
I remain silent watching him. After a few moments of silence, he looks up from the sushi platter in his lap. Those blue eyes pleading for something. I’m not sure what.
“Are … are you okay?”
He shrugs. “I’m here. That’s what matters. I think this is the freshest sushi I’ve ever had from that place.”
I allow the change in subject, feeling the panic trying to grasp ahold of me. “Yeah, I was thinking that too. That’s saying a lot. I didn’t think it could get better.”
“How are things? Business good?”
“I can’t complain.”
“I meant what I said last night. You look great. You still run in the mornings?”
I smile. “Yeah, you planning on popping up for those like you used to?”
He gives one of those sexy grins. “I remember you asking me not to anymore.”
I look away. I did ask him to stop. It was starting to feel too much like a relationship, but that was a long time ago. A very long time ago.
“Damn, we have a lot of history,” he says as if reading my mind and releases a chuckle.
“Yes, we do.”
“Listen, Rem—”
“Miss Walden, your father is here to see you,” my assistant, Mike’s voice comes through the line.
Funny, he didn’t announce Knight like he was supposed to. I close my eyes and sigh. I almost forgot Daddy was coming in for a talk. Knight looks crestfallen as he starts to pack up his food.
“Thank you. Give me a moment to wrap this meeting up,” I say to Mike.
“I’ll get out of your hair. It was good to see you. Don’t be a stranger, Rem. I want to spend some more time with you.”
I stand as I wipe my hands on a wet wipe. “I’ll walk you out.”
He purses his lips. I know it’s because I haven’t committed to seeing him again. He nods and turns to leave.
When we get to the door, I reach to touch his arm. “Knight, I’m in a different place. I … I’m looking for something more.”
“You don’t know what I’m looking for. What if we’re on the same page?”
I scoff. “Even if we are. We can’t.”
He wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me close to his chest. Dipping his head, he pecks my lips. “I’m getting tired of hearing you say that. I’ll see you soon.”
With that, he leaves my office. I lift my hand to my lips. The fact that they tingle even after he’s out of my sight tells me that I need to stick to my guns. This can’t happen.
CHAPTER 5
Buddies
Knight
“What’s up?” Harris says as I walk into his apartment.
Harris and I used to be partners before I became an undercover detective. When we got promoted, we were placed on the same team. He was on the team that had my back in this last case.
After stopping in to see Reminisce, I got a text to come over for a few beers. I’m game. It’s better than sitting at my place staring at the walls.
I could drop in on my brothers, but they know me too well. I’m not ready to talk about any of this. Most of it I’m unable to, which just makes the situation more awkward.
“Good to see you, man.”