Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
I’m just walking out of the supply closet for what seems like the hundredth time for all the freaking books, bullshit that women put around to make things seem homey, plants included, when there’s a banging on the front door. I checked my phone while waiting for Tessa to wake up. Mace let me know he had the caterers lock up because they couldn’t find me, then I sent a text to my daughter, letting her know she may be delayed seeing as how snow hit the ground in the most randomness of times in the middle of the night. Mae never responded. I didn’t think much of it, figuring she was in the middle of getting herself ready to get home.
I look at the door, shocked to see who’s standing on the other side of the glass, bundled in a thick jacket, beanie on top of her head, hands flapping in the air telling me to hurry up. I set down the handful of items on a spare chair, still surprised at who I’m seeing, and make fast work getting to the door, unlocking it from the inside, using a keyless entry on the outside with a passcode or our phone for the deadbolt.
“Jesus Christ, Mae, what are you doing here? Your plane wasn’t supposed to land for another four hours?” My arms immediately wrap around her. The little shit hasn’t been home since early summer, completely missing Thanksgiving, choosing to work and go to school, which is admirable but not fucking cool when it comes to your daughter.
“You’re suffocating me, and it’s freezing balls outside. Let a girl in, will you?”
“I’ll remember that next time you’re the one who needs a hug, grumpy turd.” I open the door further. She walks past me, taking in the office. The last time she was home, we were still in the planning stages. Mainly talking to Mace, finding the office, and getting everything incorporated.
“Why are you at the office, and where’s your shirt?” Mae takes her jacket off. Her dark hair is so much like mine, almost blue in tone when the light hits it a certain way. Her gray eyes are one of the only things she got from Jade. She got my snark, drive, and ambition. Everything else is uniquely her.
“Fell asleep here last night. Now I’m just picking a few things up. How’d you make it here with all the snow on the ground?” I ask, stalling for time. Tessa and I were going to tell Mae that we’re together, but not here at the office at this time.
“Oh my god, you call this snow? It’s a light dusting. I grabbed a hired car. Once he started praying, I told him to drop me off and that I’d walk. The whole damn town is closed down for less than a foot of snow. They should live in New York for a winter.” Mae throws her attitude out. I roll my eyes, a smile tipping my lips. It’s good to have my kid home even though I’m about to launch a snowball in her direction, in a manner of speaking.
“Girl, you were born and raised here. This isn’t New York. We aren’t prepared for this. Shit, we’re lucky to have power with everyone cranking their heat all the way up.” I don’t touch her walking in the cold snow for fuck knows how long.
“You never said why you were here. And, Dad, you’re not at home. Where’s your shirt?” Mae circles back to the question I’ve tried to ignore.
“Well, the company party was last night, it got late, and I didn’t feel like driving home.” I barely get the words out.
“Hey, King,” Tessa’s voice carries through the empty office. I close my eyes, pinch the bridge of my nose because there’s not one fucking thing I can say or do to stop Tessa from coming out or to explain to my daughter what exactly is going on between me and her best friend.
“Holy fuck, what are you doing here, and why are you wearing his shirt? Oh God, don’t tell me. I think I’m going to be sick.” I turn around. The woman who’s become mine, a temptress still even with her hair a ratted mess, makeup smeared from our night of lovemaking, my shirt haphazardly buttoned, has a hand pressed to her mouth and a horrified look on her face when she hears Mae’s words.
“Shit, Mae, let me explain,” I try to save face.
“No way. I’m pretty sure the writing is on the wall. I’m leaving.” My eyes go to where my daughter stands, grabbing her jacket, not bothering to put it on as she pulls the door open and runs in a full fucking sprint to get away from us.
“Oh my gosh, King, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know she was here.” I desperately want to go to Tessa. Tears stream down her face. I know she needs me right now. I also know she has her head on straight; she’ll face this with me together. It’s my daughter who’s gone off half-cocked.