Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
After Callan saved me at the bridge, we walked back to the car, and at his insistence, he drove me home even though I only live down the road from the Ritz.
Once he dropped me off at home, I took a quick shower. Dressed in a pair of leggings and a T-shirt, I’m sitting in my living room, looking at rental after rental.
I struggle to focus, though, because my mind keeps drifting to Callan and the fun day we had.
How sad is it that I have to pay for someone to give me attention?
Callan has a way of making me feel special, but I know it’s just because he’s doing his job.
It sucks because he’s my ideal man.
Whenever I’m with him, I keep forgetting it’s a business arrangement. One that will end soon. Hence, me keeping a firm control over my emotions so I don’t go and fall in love with him. That would be stupid of me.
Until I start selling my art, I have to be careful with my finances.
Which reminds me…
I still haven’t heard from my mother, and I hate the silent treatment my parents are giving me.
Seeing as I’m already in trouble with them, I open the chat I have with my mother and type out a message.
Lillian: I hope you and Dad had a pleasant week. I’d like to come over so we can talk about everything. Let me know when you have some free time. Also, Dad doesn’t have to send me the monthly allowance anymore. Please tell him I appreciate everything he’s done for me, and I’m not doing this out of spite. I want to become independent so you can be proud of me. Love you.
I reread the message before pressing send, then reread it several times more.
Did I do the right thing?
I’m probably just making matters worse, but I’m adamant about standing on my own two feet. I also want to talk to them about my feelings, but I’m not sure how that will go.
Letting out a sigh, I continue to work my way through all the rentals, and two hours later, I’ve managed to make a short list of four places to view.
One is a two-bedroom house in Hastings-On-Hudson. It looks cozy, and I feel a flicker of excitement thinking about how I’ll decorate every room.
My father bought most of the furniture in this apartment, and I want to get my own things.
Looking at my finances again, I make a detailed list of expenses to see how long I’ll be able to survive before I have to start panicking.
I have four to five months at most.
I’m sure I’ll sell a couple of paintings at the markets.
Opening a new document on my laptop, I make a list of all the paintings I have. I work until well past midnight on new ideas for additional pieces that won’t take too long to create.
Deciding it’s time for bed, I check my phone and see that my mother has read the message but hasn’t responded.
Wow, Mom. You couldn’t even reply?
The familiar feeling of rejection and loneliness wraps tightly around my heart as I switch off the lights and head to my bedroom.
What makes me so unlovable?
Chapter 16
Callan
I took Lillian home because I was a second away from telling her how I feel. Not wanting to act too hasty, I need time to process my emotions and make sure it’s not fleeting.
The last thing I want to do is cross the line only to realize I made a mistake.
It's Tuesday, and all I’ve done the past couple of days is think about Lillian. It’s safe to say that what I feel for her is the real deal. I want to get to know her on a deeper level.
Having made my decision, I dial Lillian’s number.
She answers within seconds. “Hi.”
“Morning. How are you?”
“I’m good, and you?”
“Good.” I get up from my chair and move to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in my office. “Can we meet tonight? I have to discuss something with you and prefer to do it in person.”
“Oh…” she pauses for a moment before murmuring, “Sure. Where do you want to meet? What time?”
Happy that I’ll get to talk to her tonight, a smile curves my lips. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Okay.”
There’s a knock at my office door right before Harper lets herself in.
“Great. I’ll see you at seven,” I say. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You too.”
I end the call before looking at Harper. “What’s up?”
“Here are the final quotes for our anniversary function.” She sets a folder down on my desk, then her eyes narrow on my face. “Why do you look so happy?”
“I always look happy.”
She plants her ass in a chair and lifts an eyebrow at me. “Come on. Give me the tea.”
Sitting down, I grin at my friend. “I want to get to know Lillian on a personal level.”