Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I’d love to hold my favorite little niece.”
When Rich placed Maddie in my arms and those bright blue eyes looked up at me, something happened. No words could really explain what exactly it was, but in that moment, I knew I wanted what my brother had already found.
Love and a family.
My heartbeat raced as I smiled down at my niece. It was the most amazing feeling I’d ever experienced, holding this little life in my arms.
I couldn’t pull my gaze away from her. It was like she was looking deep into my soul and waking me up for the first time in my life.
“All right. You’re getting that dreamy look in your eyes, Mason. Wouldn’t want anyone thinking you want a family,” Rich said with a chuckle as he took Maddie back.
Not saying a word, I simply grinned. I looked at Kris and she gave me a knowing look.
“So, what do we do now?” I asked, clapping my hands together and trying to push away how hard my heart was hammering.
Rich laughed. “We do another video for Mom and Dad, and then we go get drunk.”
Kris hit my brother on the arm then made her way over to me. Lacing her arm around my waist, I did the same to her. “No, we planned a small get together at Carmine’s. Late lunch, early dinner kind of thing. Please say you can make it, Mason.”
Smiling down at her, I winked, “Of course, I’ve cleared my whole day for this.”
“Mason, maybe we can share a taxi together,” Kate said as she attempted to walk down the church steps.
Leaning closer to Kris, I whispered, “Your sister scares me, Kris. She practically grabbed my junk in the church.”
Kris tossed her head back in full-on laughter mode before finally letting out a long sigh. “She’s my sister and I love her, but she’s got the hots for you, Mason. So unless you’re interested, I’d nip it in the bud.”
Walking Kris to their car, I opened the door while Rich slipped a sleeping Maddie into her car seat. “You want to drive over with us?” he asked. “Not sure how the parking will be.”
“Nah, I’ll hop in a cab and get us on the list.”
“We have reservations,” Kris said as she worked at getting her daughter buckled up.
I lightly hit my brother on the back and said, “You married a smart one.”
“Tell me about it. I’d be lost without her.”
Taking a step back, I watched them get into their Honda Pilot and pull out into traffic. I continued to watch until I couldn’t see them any longer. Needing to clear my head, I turned on my heels and started walking in the opposite direction.
“Mason! Mason! I thought we would share a cab!” Kate called out.
Glancing over my shoulder, I shouted back, “I’ll meet you there, Kate. I need to take care of something.”
• • •
My keys rattled as I threw them onto the side table near my front door. Ripping off my tie, I tossed it onto the loveseat and made my way over to the bar. I grabbed some Jameson, opened it, and took a drink right from the fucking bottle.
Six times. I’d called Saylor six times today only to be sent to her voicemail each time. I’d finally left a message asking her to call me back. She hadn’t called. She’d sent a text.
Saylor: Mr. Quinn, it is Saturday, and unless you have a work emergency, I am unavailable.
Grunting, I hit reply. She’d sent the text two hours ago, and by now I finally had enough alcohol in me to not give a shit.
Me: Are you with Jameson?
Saylor: Is this a work-related question?
Me: Saylor, stop being a bitch and let me tell you why I had to run today.
When I didn’t get a reply, I closed my eyes. The bitch comment had probably been the wrong thing to say.
Me: I’ve had a lot to drink, I’m sorry. Please call me.
My phone buzzed with her response.
Saylor: What’s wrong? Are you already finished with the girl you were with today? Looking for some afternoon fun and can’t find anyone so you figured you’d insult me? You’re so good at that, after all.
I stared at her text. Everything about it made me angry. I hit her number and walked briskly out to my balcony that overlooked the city.
“I’m busy, Mason.”
“With who? And if you’re so busy, why did you answer your phone?”
She let out a bitter laugh. “None of your business. Is this a work emergency?”
I thought about lying. Telling her I needed her at work, and that I’d meet her there. Then I’d strip her bare and fuck her over my desk.
No. That wasn’t what I wanted to do at all. Well, it was a fantasy I prayed like hell would happen in the future. But it wasn’t what I wanted now.