Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
“What’s so weird about that? I mean, what if she still loved him?”
“He wasn’t dead yet, Maura.”
“Oh.”
Tyler clenches his jaw and says in a rush, “I told Erika about us, and she said the likelihood of your parents coming between us is about one hundred percent.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I don’t think so.”
“No? They’re not concerned that you’re with me?”
“What does that even mean, Tyler?”
“I mean, I’m a realist. I won’t hold it against your father if he objects to you going out with me.”
I toy with a loose thread on his shirt. “They never really try to control my love life, you know. That one with Martin. We’ve known each other since we were in diapers, and it was a given that we’d end up together. So that’s what happened. Not because I’m attracted to him or something, but only because everyone expected us to.”
“And now?”
“And now I’m living my life on my own terms.” I sigh and run a hand along his hard chest, stopping just above his heart, the lub-dub sound calming me, grounding me. “I’m a career woman. Martin knew that, but when he proposed, he already told me I could quit my job and stay at home. If we get married, I’ll resent him, get depressed, and drool over the gardener while I sip my fifth glass of wine for breakfast.”
“So much to unpack in that one statement.”
I laugh softly but immediately turn serious. “Are you worried about my family?”
“I do. I really, really like you, Maura. I can’t stop touching you when we’re together, and I can’t stop thinking about you when we’re not.” Tyler pauses and clenches his razor-sharp jaw. “I hope I don’t scare you, but I think I’m obsessed with you.”
Obsessed.
That’s the same word I would use to describe what I feel for him. And I get it. I get what he’s trying to say because I feel it, too.
“Come home with me, Tyler. Make me remember this night forever.”
Tyler’s eyes darken, his gaze dropping to my mouth. My body lights up, and the need to have him inside me overrides any other thought. If he takes me here on the dance floor, I won’t even say no. That’s how desperate I am for him.
“Happy birthday, my love! Why the hell did you start without me?”
My thoughts blank as I hear Martin bellowing from the doors, his speech slurring. Tyler and I both swing our gazes at him, and my stomach drops.
No, no, no.
Martin is a mess. His tie is loose, his white shirt has a brown stain, and he’s carrying a bottle of Jack Daniels, waving it around as he sways unsteadily on his feet. Behind him are familiar faces—four of his best friends from his college fraternity days.
He staggers toward me, knocking over a few chairs, forcing some of my guests to give him a wide berth and steer away.
He stops a few steps away from us, a glazed look in his eyes, flush on his cheeks. I’ve never seen Martin like this. He hates looking anything less than perfect in front of everyone. I feel bad, but not really.
Martin burps loudly and raises the glass. As he does so, Tyler moves his massive body in front of me, protectively draping one arm over me.
Even in his drunken state, Martin registers Tyler’s movement. His eyes narrow as he flicks his piercing gaze from Tyler to me. The unflinching stare is intimidating the heck out of me, even if I did nothing wrong to him. I had every right to break up with him and turn down his marriage proposal. I refuse to be shamed for following my heart. It’s my life, after all.
“What are you doing here dancing with my fiancée?” He doesn’t give Tyler a chance to respond, turning to me instead. “Baby, happy birthday! I’ll give you your gift later. Come on. Give me a kiss.”
The entire hall is so quiet, I can hear a pin drop. Everyone holds their collective breaths, and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, some of those ladies huddled in one corner are excited to share this bit of drama with everyone in our circle.
Martin takes one step, and Tyler fully covers me. I can’t see Martin anymore, but I can’t deny how safe it makes me feel with Tyler protecting me like this.
“Stay out of this, you piece of shit. You don’t even belong here.”
Martin must have made another move because the next thing I knew, I heard a hollow thud. I take a peek over Tyler’s arm and see Martin sprawled on the floor, clutching the bottle to his stomach.
“Maura, stay back.” Tyler’s voice takes on a different tone, and I do as he asks, almost jumping in surprise when Mom’s hands reach for me to pull me between her and Dad. “Just leave, man. It’s Maura’s birthday.”