Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
She stepped away, fury dripping from her eyes, her voice like ice. “I’ll see you around, Nicky boy. I’ll check in before you leave for the land of maple syrup and snow.”
She turned and walked away.
MILA
I was out for a walk when Nick called me. I sat on a nearby bench and answered the call, happy to hear his voice.
“Hi.”
“Hey, Shortcake.”
“How’s it going?”
“The worst is over.” He chuckled. “We have two more scenes Amber wants for today. But my friend called, and he has everything arranged for tonight if you still want to have dinner with me.”
“You have the time?”
“Yeah, tomorrow is another early call, but I have tonight.”
“I’d love to go out to dinner with you.” I glanced toward the hotel. “What about your friends?”
“I have a plan. I’ll pick you up at seven, okay?”
“Sounds good.”
“Wear something pretty, Mila. And leave your hair down. I love it when you wear your hair down.”
I shivered at the possessive tone in his voice.
“Okay.”
I hung up and headed back to the hotel. I opened the closet, staring between the lovely dress Cami picked out and the pretty yellow one I had bought. I heard a knock on my door, and I called out to Andi to come in. I carried both dresses with me.
“Which should I wear tonight…” I trailed off at the sight of MJ standing in my hotel room, looking around with a sneer on her face. I had left the door ajar for Andi, not expecting anyone else.
Our eyes met, hers cold and unfeeling. I tried not to show my discomfort and instead straightened my shoulders.
“MJ,” I said coolly, pleased my voice didn’t tremble. “Andi’s not here. Neither is Nick.”
“I didn’t come to see either of them.” She flicked her fingers at the dresses in my hand. “Date with Nicky boy? He’s going all out to impress you, isn’t he?”
“What can I do for you?” I asked, draping the dresses over the sofa.
“I came to give you a piece of friendly advice.”
I had to laugh. “I doubt anything you do is considered friendly, MJ. Especially when it comes to me.”
“Nicky’s on a high right now. You’re his newest obsession. His”—she rolled her eyes—“light. Once he gets over the high and realizes everything is the same, he’ll be done with you.”
“Everything is the same?” I questioned.
“He thinks he can beat the disease. Find a cure. You make him feel good. So right now, that cure is you.”
I frowned. “I disagree with you. I think Nick accepts his condition and is simply trying to fit his life around it. I don’t think he thinks of me as a cure.”
“Look, Mia—”
“Mila,” I corrected.
“Whatever. You seem like a nice little girl. Do yourself a favor. Walk away before he destroys you. Before he takes the light he’s found and drags it into the darkness.”
I barked a laugh. “You can’t give someone bipolar disorder. It’s not a cold you can catch.”
She crossed her arms and glared at me. “He’ll drain you.”
“That’s my business and not yours.” I mimicked her stance. “Why do I scare you so much?”
“You don’t scare me,” she scoffed.
“I think I do. You’re worried I might have more influence on Nick than you do. That he might see how you really don’t have his best interests at heart. That he might actually have other options.”
For a moment, she said nothing. Hate blazed from her eyes, and I knew I’d struck close to home.
“Nicky and I have been through too much together. He would never leave me. And if you push him to, you might find yourself the one being left,” she spat.
The door opened, and Andi walked in, looking shocked at seeing MJ there. “Problem?” she drawled, walking my way and standing next to me.
“No. MJ was just leaving.”
MJ tossed her hair, the brassy color bright under the lights. “Trying to save your client some heartache, Andi. I know Nicky better than anyone, and I know what he can be like. Once the shine wears off, she’ll have a lot of shit to deal with.”
I felt a tremor go through me. “I know what Nick is capable of. He has a lot of strength inside. Despite how he’s handled, he is the most amazing man I have ever met.”
“I think Mila has made her decision. Thanks for dropping by,” Andi finished for me, gripping my elbow. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
MJ spun on her heel, grabbing the door handle. “Have fun playing house. It won’t last.” She paused. “And he hates yellow,” she snapped and flounced from the room, slamming the door behind her.
I sat down, my legs shaking. I took in some deep breaths, and Andi slipped a glass of water into my hand.
“You didn’t pass out,” she said. “You stood up to her.”
“My God, she is vile,” I muttered.