Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 95147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Nat is one of the only people in my life who never put me down because of my weight and who never even seemed to notice. She’s closer to me than most of my family members, which has caused friction in the past. But no matter what, I’ll never give up my Nat for anyone.
So, as distracted as I was with my own budding relationship, I still wanted to be sure that hers was doing fine as well. That’s why I pick Mace for information on Jaxx, just to be on the safe side, and it appears she’s been doing the same.
“Have you heard from that petrified turd today?” I almost choked on my spit. I didn’t have to ask for clarification as to who she was referring to. Nat never liked my ex-mother-in-law, and this wasn’t the first time she’d called her something unappealing.
“No, thank heavens, or it would’ve dampened my mood. I want to hold onto this feeling for as long as I can.”
“I know a good way to do that, block the twit’s number once and for all. You’re no longer related to her. I don’t see why you still answer her calls. You know she and her son and just keeping tabs on you.”
“I know, but I can’t bring myself to be that rude. I don’t know; I’m not like them, you know, so I won’t do to them what they did to me.”
“I can do it for you. You know I won’t mind tearing her a new one.”
“I know, but it’s not necessary.”
“Well, if you say so. By the way, I think Mace has been trying to get information on her. Jaxx keeps asking me things on the sly like he forgets I’m a lawyer and can see through his shit.”
“Really? Why would he do that?”
“Didn’t she call you lately and piss him off?”
I’d forgotten all about that.
I didn’t pay much heed to her words, though, before we hung up the phone. My mind went immediately to tonight and what delights Mace had in store for me. I didn’t have time to think about my ex-in-laws or anything else. Nothing that would mar this happy feeling.
MACE
I was fine all day until the last hour before I planned to knock off and go to her. I’d never kept such regular hours before she came into my life. I never delegated so much to the people I’d hired to do their job either, something they’d never been pleased about but had no say since I’m a micro-manager and know it.
I like doing things myself and using the people I hire as backup; it’s always been that way. Since I own more than one place, most of them restaurants, I need the extra help, but I’ve always made it a point to visit each place at least twice a week just to stay on top of things and make sure I’m not being robbed blind.
The club is my baby and my most profitable business to date, though the others aren’t too shabby, so I spend most of my time there during the day in the office I’d outfitted for my comfort. While the other restaurants and bars had a team of managing staff that pretty much took care of things, I’d only hired a couple of managers to be here on the busier nights.
But now I think I might have to change that as well because now I can’t wait to put work aside as soon as the clock hits five, when before I’d pull all-nighters almost every day of the week. That’s because I know she knocks off at that time unless something comes up and sits at home alone most nights, which I don’t like.
I can’t give my girl too much alone time; some asshole might snatch her up when I’m not looking. Like hell! I’m not about to let that happen, so I’ll have to do something about my long work hours starting now. She might not know it, and from what I’ve gathered so far, she’s not accustomed to being treated the way she deserves.
She always seems so surprised when I do the littlest things for her, almost as if she doesn’t expect to be treated well. I don’t have to think too hard to figure out that it’s because of her ex, and that’s why he’s her ex. I don’t plan on making the same mistake that idiot did, so I’ll have to rearrange some things going forward.
I found myself smiling like an ass again when I walked to the car, as I’d done more than once throughout the day. Every once in a while, a memory from the weekend would flash through my head, and I couldn’t help myself. I think I even zoned out a time or two, just staring at nothing with a silly grin on my face and a warm feeling in my chest. I won’t lie; I’m the kind of guy who’d forget a face minutes after I’d seen it. I’m not proud of it, but it’s true.