Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 84000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Leo holds his hands up in surrender. “I just came here for beer.”
“Try the bar,” Jules snaps playfully before shooing him back toward the living room. Turning back to me, she asks, “Are you in love with him?”
“I’m getting to know him. I like him. I’m actively in like with him.” I haven’t even considered whether I’m in love with Worth. I haven’t known him long enough, and there’s been so much else going on. “I don’t know about love, but he’s a good guy. Kind and generous and smart—”
“Have you had sex?” she whispers.
I widen my eyes. “Of course.”
She sits back, surprised. How can that be a shock to her? “Is it good?”
I laugh. “The best I’ve ever— I mean, I can’t even call what I was doing before ‘sex’ if I’m going to make a comparison.”
“Wow,” she says, reaching for another chip. “It’s the same with Leo. We have a connection that’s…” Her voice trails off, like there are no words for what she’s trying to describe.
“I know what you mean. It’s not just physical.”
“So no annulment for you two. I mean, if you’ve consummated things. Have you discussed any kind of divorce?”
“Yeah, before we left Vegas, Worth said he’d speak to his lawyers. And then we agreed we’d continue to date for now.”
“So if things go well, and you don’t want to divorce, you don’t have to. You’d have made it down the aisle before Leo and me.” She squeals. “This is so exciting. It couldn’t be more perfect. You know how close Leo and Worth are. We get to double-date, go on vacation together.”
My heart squeezes tighter, like it’s trying to get through a too-small hole. Jules is going at a million miles an hour. I just want to take this step by step.
“We don’t know how this is going to play out,” I remind her. “Worth and I haven’t known each other very long. We’ve both got a lot going on.”
“Right, but you’re both amazing people who are perfect for each other.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You tried to set me up with Fisher,” I say.
“Momentary lapse in judgment. You and Worth—you’re both so kind and low-key hilarious. I don’t know why I didn’t put you two together from the jump.”
“He’s very kind. And very hot.”
“Sooo hot. It’s actually almost offensive how hot he is.”
I try and bite back a smile just as Worth comes through the door. “How’s everything in here? Are you two gossiping?”
“About your huge dick, Worth,” Jules says as she slides off the counter.
Worth shoots me a look and I shake my head. Jules might think she’s joking, but she’s very much on point.
“I want you to know, you have my blessing. I very much approve. But look after my friend or…” Jules slices her index finger across her throat.
Thankfully the buzzer goes. I hope that’s the food.
“I’ll bear your threat of murder in mind, Jules. Thanks.”
She pats him on the arm as she leaves. “I’m off to play hostess. Don’t make out in here for too long.”
TWENTY-TWO
Worth
I glance at the door as my assistant comes into my office. Her sudden appearance means I’m running late on my video call. It’s her job to keep me on time, and if I don’t finish a call, she’ll come in and make sure it finishes. It took me a while to find an assistant who’s prepared to interrupt me and tell me to finish up my meeting. But I’ve grown very fond of Veronica.
“Mr. Huntington, your two o’clock is waiting.”
“I’m going to have to leave things here, Patrick,” I say. “But I think we’ve got a clear way forward. Let’s talk same time next week.” I nod at Veronica—a reminder to her to put it in the calendar.
I end the call and stand. I need to move around.
“Shall I show in your next meeting?” Veronica asks. There’s something in the tone of her voice I can’t quite place.
“Yes. Who is it?” I ask.
She doesn’t answer my question, which isn’t like her.
Before I have the chance to call after her, Avril bursts through the door. “Brother dearest.”
“Avril, you’re going to have to go. I have a meeting.”
“I’m your two o’clock,” she says, handing me an iPad. “You left my business plan at Tavern on the Green, so I’m here to deliver it in person.”
Shit. In all the drama of Thanksgiving, I’d forgotten about Avril’s plan. I’d kinda hoped coming off academic probation would inspire her to finish her degree after all.
“Okay, well, I’ve got it now. I’ll let you know when I’ve had a chance to look at it.”
She shakes her head, a mischievous grin unfurling on her face. “I’m booked in for an hour. You’re not getting rid of me until I have my money’s worth.” She holds out her hand to the small conference table in my office. “Shall we?”