Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Sure.” He sees right through my bullshit but doesn’t call me on it. Instead he looks at his watch, then starts to clean up the kitchen. “My wife is going to thank you for the extra alone time with Lula. Do you want to go with me to break up their good time?”
I think again about Lula being stuck here and trying to make friends. I think about how I’ve been with her, and how hard I’m making it for her to stay. What are her reasons for coming here, and am I standing in the way of her happiness?
The thoughts that swirl in my head don’t paint me in the best light. Maybe it’s time I try another approach, but the thought of her getting close to me makes my body tense. Is it because I want to push her away or because I want to pull her to me?
“Right behind you,” I agree as I decide it’s time to find out.
CHAPTER FOUR
LULA
“I love that color on you.” I pull my hand away from the fan to look at my blue nails that have finished drying.
“Thanks.” I smile at Collins, thinking it was sweet of her to ask me to come with her, but I think it might have been a sympathy invite. “You miss your sister?” I ask.
That’s who she really wants to get her nails done with. I could see their bond while they were on the island together. They could share a whole conversation in one look, and I was so envious of it. I wonder if that’s a sister thing or if it’s a bond that comes over time. I’ve never had either so I wouldn't know.
“Yeah.” She drops back in her chair. “It’s bittersweet getting to see her for a few days, but I know she’s in good hands with Vaughn.” She lets out a long sigh as her hand comes to rest over her stomach. “Berkley needs to finish what she started.”
“She’ll be back soon,” I reassure her. The last thing Collins needs is stressing over her sister so early in her pregnancy. “We can try the ultrasound machine. I’m sure it will be here by the time she gets back.”
“How soon can we tell the sex of the baby?” She perks up at my idea.
“Early, I’m sure. We have the luxury of playing with the ultrasound machine as much as we want. Not to mention your husband wasn't messing around when he bought the best.” I don’t want to know what all the machines cost. I only told him what I would need and what would be nice to have on hand. He got it all.
“He’s protective.” She rubs her hand over the baby bump that isn't really there yet.
I understand it because he almost lost her. Kade is pulling out all the stops when it comes to keeping his family safe. That’s another thing I long for in my life but something I’ll never have. The threat of my father will always loom over me as long as he’s alive. Hell, even dead it would because if people knew I was related to him I’d never get a job. He will forever haunt me.
“Protective. Sure, we can call it that,” I laugh. It’s more than protective but it’s also sweet and I’d be a liar if I said I didn't find the way Kade worried over his wife endearing. I’m surprised he’s left her alone this long as it is.
“You want to get something to eat?” Collins pushes to her feet and I nod my head. I’m starving and I’m always down to eat.
“We don’t have to if you’re busy,” I offer, not wanting her to ask me because she’s just being polite.
“Are you playing hard to get or something?” She smirks at me.
“What?” I ask, confused by her question.
“I’m trying to make friends with you and you’re running away.” She reaches out and grabs my hand. She’s got one of those smiles that lights up a room and you can’t help but return it. “You’ve been hanging out with X too long.” She squeezes my hand.
“What? No!” I panic for a moment wondering why she would she ask me that. It feels like I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. “He can’t stand me. He stomps from the room when I enter or stares a hole into me if he has to be in the same place I am. You haven't noticed?”
“I’ve noticed,” she laughs. “He’s like a bear with a thorn in his paw. You can’t miss him.”
Isn't that the truth? He’s always lingering somewhere close but he can’t get away from me fast enough. He’s never far and it’s weird.
She gives my hand another squeeze, “That’s what I mean though. You’re always running from me so I wondered if you picked up Xander’s bad habits.”