Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80314 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80314 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“What about dinner tonight?” I offer. “We could all go to Miller’s?”
“That works for me, and I know Tony will be good with whatever.”
“Perfect.” I reach into my back pocket for my cell. “I’ll just call Aiden to let him know so he doesn’t pick something up on his way home.” I step away and dial his number as she goes to help some kids who are designing the floral arrangements that will go in the middle of the tables.
“Hey, doll, what’s up?” he answers after the second ring, and I can’t help the smile that curves my lips.
“I just made plans for us to go to dinner at Miller’s tonight with Toya and her husband.”
“I finally get to meet Toya, huh?” he asks, sounding like he’s smiling.
“I wasn’t keeping you from meeting her.” I roll my eyes. “We’ve kind of had a lot going on.”
“You’re not wrong about that,” he mumbles, then adds, “Mom found out about Bridgett and Conner. Like I figured she would, she tried to convince Bridgett to go home to their house and work it out.”
“Seriously?”
“Babe, you’ve met my mom.”
“Right.” I press my lips together.
“Anyway, she called to tell me that Bridgett isn’t answering her calls or the door at my place, and she wanted me to let her in to talk to her.”
“What did you say?”
“No, that when Bridgett is ready, she’ll talk to her, and until then, she needs to leave her alone.”
“Good.” I worry my bottom lip. “But you talked to Bridgett, right? She’s okay?”
“She’s fine. She’s trying to figure out what she’s going to do. Please stop worrying.”
“I’ll try.” I sigh, and he laughs.
“Now, what time will you be home?” I look at my watch to check the time and feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end like someone is watching me. I look around but don’t see anyone.
“We should be done here in about twenty minutes or so, and then I’ll be on my way.”
“All right, doll. I’m on my way home now, so I’ll see you soon,” he says softly.
“See you soon.” I hang up and scan the room once more before I shake off the feeling that’s creeping up my spine.
“So what did he say?” Toya asks when I walk over to where she’s standing.
“He said yes, then gave me a hard time about him not meeting you yet.”
“I already like this guy.”
“There is a lot to like,” I tell her honestly, and she gives me a soft smile.
“All right.” She claps her hands. “Let’s get these kids packed up so we can get out of here. I need a drink and food.”
“Me too,” I agree, then I call out to everyone in the gym and let them know it’s time to start putting stuff away and that we will get back to it tomorrow after school. It takes some time for everyone to get packed up, so I end up getting home later than I thought I would, and when I arrive, Aiden is standing on the front porch, waiting for me.
After I park my car, I grab my bags off the passenger seat, and he opens my door, taking them from me before I even have a foot on the ground. “Fuck, I missed you today.” He hauls me against his body as soon as my ass is off my seat, and I wrap my arms around him.
“Is everything okay?” I ask softly and feel him nod.
“It was just a long fucking day.”
“It was,” I agree, tipping my chin up as he lowers his mouth to mine. “Are you sure you’re up to dinner with Toya tonight?”
“Yeah, doll, I’m sure.” He takes my hand and walks with me up to the front door. As soon as we get inside, both Cooper and Dozer come to say hi, and I take a minute to give each of them some love before standing to take off my jacket, resting it on one of the chairs at the island.
“I need to change, then we can go.”
“All right, I’m going to send a few emails while I wait for you.”
“Five minutes,” I tell him, and I catch his soft look before I head for the bedroom, where I spot Bella and Blue asleep on the end of the bed. I stop to give them a cuddle, but neither of them are happy with my attention, so they take off out of the room, probably to go annoy the dogs, which seems to be their new favorite thing.
It takes me less than five minutes to change into a pair of jeans and sneakers, so when I walk into the main room, Aiden is still on his computer. I expect him to take the time to finish whatever it is he’s doing, but as soon as I walk out of the room, he shuts the lid on his laptop and smiles at me. “Ready?”