Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Blakely
“I’m so tired,” I say, shuffling inside the suite.
Foxx carries my bag and the llama behind me. “Where do you want these?”
“I’ll get them.”
“With a cast on your right hand?”
“Fine. Please take them upstairs.”
He disappears up the staircase without another word.
It’s odd being here. The last time I was here, it ended with chaos. The last time I arrived here, I wasn’t married. I was celebrating my thirtieth birthday. Such a shitty birthday, after all.
It seems like forever ago.
The suite is silent and cold. I don’t even know where the thermostat is to adjust it. Instead, I walk into the kitchen to see if there’s something edible.
“Foxx?” I call out. “Where did all of this food come from?”
The fridge has a few yogurts, a little fruit, milk, and cheese. There are a few choices of water, soda, and juice. Bread, cookies, and crackers have been placed in the pantry.
He comes around the corner. “Tate had Astrid take care of it.”
“Aw.” My heart warms. “He seems like a nice guy.”
Foxx shrugs.
“What’s that about?”
“What’s what?”
“That shrug. What does that shrug mean?”
He lifts a brow. “I think your pain meds are making you mean.”
“No, I’m not just mean. I’m stressed, Foxx. I’ve had a night. I’m tired. I’ve been traveling. I’m not sure my husband wants to be married to me anymore, and his father tried to buy me off, and … ah!”
He holds his hands up. “Easy.”
“Just explain the shrug.”
“I have an NDA.”
“And I’m your employer now, basically. So NDA me in.”
He groans. “You are a pain in my ass.”
I gasp. “Is that any way to talk to me? I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Where is your compassion?”
“On the tarmac.”
I make a face. He almost smiles.
“I have four brothers,” Foxx says. “I have a predisposition to dislike younger brothers.”
“Then why do you dislike me?”
“Because I also have a sister.”
“Oh.”
I take out the cheese and a few crackers—anything to keep my mind occupied. Foxx watches me. It’s the most uncertain I’ve seen him.
“How do you know the Brewers?” I ask.
“I’ve known Jason for a long time.”
“But you work with Renn?”
“Mostly.”
I glance at him. “You’re a man of few words.”
He shrugs.
Grrr.
“Well, I’m trying to have a conversation with you to keep from thinking about my father-in-law talking about fucking my ass tonight. Humor me.” I slap a piece of cheese on a cracker and offer it to him. “Do you live in Nashville?”
He declines the snack. “Kismet Beach, Florida.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because someone decided to take a last-minute trip to Vegas.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why are you in Nashville if you live in Florida?”
“Because I work for a company called Landry Security. I get assigned to wealthy clients who require my services.”
“Kind of sounds like you’re a prostitute, Foxx.”
He shakes his head. “Are you ready for bed?”
“Almost. Where do you sleep when you’re here?”
“There’s a room down the hall. I’m sure you’ll shout if you need me.”
I smile. “Yup.”
“I’m going to bed. Don’t drink any wine. You’re already loopy as fuck.”
“This is just my charm.”
“God help us,” he mutters, disappearing around the corner.
I gather my snacks—a task made more difficult by my broken hand—and head upstairs, trying to decide whether I’m loopy. I might be. My body is warm and fuzzy, and I can’t quite access all the reasons I’m upset.
It’s rather nice.
I climb into bed and drop the goodies. As soon as my body hits the mattress—how did this get cleaned?—my eyes feel heavy.
Very, very heavy.
I slip into a world where Renn is on a surfboard next to me, telling me to paddle …
CHAPTER 27
Blakely
Something crunches beneath me.
I rummage under my stomach and pull out a sleeve of crackers. Whoops.
It’s dark outside, but the open curtains allow enough light to see around me. I grab my phone and check the time. It’s three in the morning.
My screen is filled with texts. I ignore them all except for the top one.
Renn: I’m worried about you. I know you want space, and I understand. I can’t imagine how you feel, and it kills me that I don’t know. I’m trying to balance honoring your wishes and following my heart. I need to hold you. Please, call me.
Renn.
I want to talk to him. I want to make this all okay between us. But I don’t know what to say … or if I can make it work between us.
I can’t imagine how you feel, and it kills me that I don’t know. I’m trying to balance honoring your wishes and following my heart. I need to hold you.
That’s what I want too. Renn’s arms.
I’ve never wanted to be held more.
We’ll have to talk. I know that. I want that. But not at three in the morning. Not when my hand is throbbing. Not when my eyes are so heavy.
Texting is hard, but I manage.