Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Who the fuck is even here?
I’m going to kill them. That much is for sure.
Willa
I’ve just ducked into Callum’s office when I hear the door to the house open. Female voices chatter as they enter the space. My blood runs cold as I clumsily pull my sweater over my body.
Without my bra.
Great.
“Callum, you have to convince Dad, please!”
Gemma?
I stand near the door to get a better listen. Another voice joins in. Female.
“Did we interrupt something?” the woman asks.
Gemma shrieks. “Oh my God. Is that a bra? Mom, he has a chick over!”
Humiliation races over my skin, turning it crimson. I’m not just any chick. I’m his. At least I got my answer as to who the other woman was.
Jamie.
Callum’s ex and now stepmom.
I hate her instantly.
“In case you two forgot, this is my house. Occasionally, I have guests over. And, because of your interruption, my girlfriend is hiding out half-naked.”
Girlfriend?
I try not to swoon.
“Oh, Callum,” Jamie says cheerfully, “this is great news. You should bring your girlfriend over on Sunday. Let her meet everyone.”
My stomach clenches at that idea.
“I’ll think about it,” Callum grinds out. “What am I trying to convince my father to do?”
“I have a new friend,” Gemma states proudly. “We want to have a sleepover on Friday night. Dad never lets me do anything.”
“A new friend?” Callum asks.
“Her name’s Willa.”
I can almost picture his face, brows furling in surprise. Guilt rises inside me. Should I have told him about Gemma? We didn’t exactly have an opportunity.
“Would this be Willa Reyes?”
“Yeah,” Gemma says, the smile in her voice evident. “You know her?”
“She’s one of my students,” Callum says quickly. “I didn’t realize you two were friends.”
One of my students.
I don’t know why, considering our secret arrangement I’ve been perfectly fine with until now, but calling me one of his students rather than his girlfriend stings.
A lot.
“We are. We’ve been trying to plan this sleepover all day.” Gemma makes a sound of disgust. “Why is your girlfriend’s bra way over here?”
“Do I know her?” Jamie asks.
“No,” Callum clips out, ignoring Gemma’s question altogether. “My girlfriend just moved here.”
Lies.
I’m almost jealous of this imaginary girlfriend.
“Does your girlfriend have a name?” Jamie implores. “You’re being so cryptic.”
“I’ll talk to Dad,” Callum barks out. “Just go already. Please.”
“We’re going,” Jamie assures him. “Bring Miss Mysterious by the house on Sunday so we can all meet her. I’m really happy for you.”
She sounds sincere, but based on Callum’s icily muttered retort, I’d say he doesn’t believe it. Gemma chatters about how much fun we’re going to have. Lays it on thick, too. Makeovers, movies, lots and lots of candy. She, for obvious reasons, fails to mention her brother or Spencer, nor does she mention the party.
Crap.
“They’re gone.”
Callum’s deep voice in the doorway to his office makes me squeak in shock. I rush over to him, flinging my arms around his neck.
“That was so awkward,” I groan, hiding my face against his skin.
“Friends with Gemma, huh?”
There’s a hint of hurt in his tone, which makes me feel horrible. “It’s a new thing. Like today. I was going to tell you, I swear.”
He pulls back, studying me. “I’m not mad, sweetheart. It just took me off guard.”
“She kind of forced me into it,” I admit. “I like her, though. She seems sweet.”
His nostrils flare. “Gemma is anything but sweet.” He grows serious. “You know you can’t tell her about us, right?”
“I know.” My tone is slightly shrill. “I know what’s at stake here.”
He relaxes. “Good, because I can’t lose you. Gemma has a big mouth and she’ll run her head to everyone, including Dad.”
“I haven’t even made sure it’s okay yet with my mom.” I frown at him. “It might not even happen.”
I’ll have to keep the fact that she’s also a Park from Mom so that it doesn’t get back to Darren since I’m not allowed to hang out with them. Darren won’t recognize her, but Levi certainly would and then rat me out. Sneaking her past Levi will be a challenge but necessary to keep my secret. It’s a lot of work and risk involved. However, the idea of having a friend over is exhilarating enough that I don’t worry too much about the what-ifs.
“Let’s hope that it does,” Callum says with a smile, “because then I won’t feel so bad about telling you no about the party.”
“You were going to say no?”
“It’s a party. With boys.”
“Your family invited me,” I remind him.
“And they’re both little shits. I promise, this is for the best.”
I want to push the matter, but his lips find mine, quickly chasing away my words. Soon, I’m swept up in his scent and touch. His palms find my ass and he picks me up. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I hold on as he carries me to his room.