Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Just when I thought I had this parenthood thing in the bag,” I say, shaking my head.
“It’s never in the bag,” Zack says with a wink. “Trust me on that.”
Chapter Twelve
~Max~
I’M PRETTY SURE I just swallowed my tongue.
Had a heart attack.
Stroke.
Something.
Because, my God, just look at her.
“Are you okay?” Willa asks from inside the door, smiling at me with uncertainty in her brown eyes. “Is this dress not appropriate?”
“It’s appropriate for many things,” I reply, finally finding my voice and following her into the house and closing the door. “Like lying in a heap around your ankles after I rip it off of you.”
“Hey, this was an expensive dress,” she says, scowling at me as if she’s scolding a child.
Which only turns me on more.
The fabric is ice-blue and shiny, falling in thick, floating cascades, shimmering from her chest to the floor. It molds to her breasts but hides the rest of her, flowing as she walks. Sapphires twinkle at her ears and around her wrist as she reaches for a white fur wrap.
I take it from her and slip it around her shoulders, leaning in to press my lips against her neck, just below a sparkling sapphire.
“You’re absolutely stunning,” I whisper against her skin. “You take my fucking breath away.”
“That’s better.” She smiles up at me, then turns to adjust my already straight tie. I think it’s a woman thing to adjust a man’s tie whether it’s straight or not. “You’re handsome yourself.”
“He’s in the bath,” Debbie says as she comes out of Alex’s bathroom. “Oh, hi, Max.”
“Hello.”
“My goodness, you two look like you should be in a magazine. Here, Willa, give me your phone, and I’ll take a picture.”
She arranges us in front of the fireplace and snaps a few photos.
“We might be late,” Willa warns her, but Debbie just shakes her head and smiles.
“Take all the time you want. The kiddo will be in bed soon. In fact, stay out all night if you like.”
“Oh, I don’t—” Willa begins, but I cut her off.
“That would be great, if you’re sure.”
Debbie winks at me. “You got it.”
“Ready?” I ask Willa as she grabs her clutch and checks her lipstick in the mirror by the front door.
“Looks like it,” she says with a nod.
“Oh, Max,” Debbie says before I shut the door behind us. “I think that what you’ve done for the hospital is just wonderful. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” I nod and close the door, then help Willa down the stairs. “Those shoes aren’t really appropriate for snow.”
“I’m not wearing boots under my dress,” she says, holding onto me as she maneuvers her way into the vehicle. “Besides, they’ll look fantastic around your shoulders later.”
“I—” I swallow hard and try again. “I think we’ll skip this fucking party and go straight to my house.”
She’s still laughing when I climb into the car next to her. “We can’t skip a party being thrown in your honor,” she says.
“I could say I came down with a case of something.”
“Nope.” She grins over at me. “I’m dressed for a fancy party, and that’s what I want.”
“Then a fancy party the lady shall have.”
***
“I guess it didn’t occur to me that I’d know just about everyone here,” Willa says an hour later after saying hello to half of the town. “Then again, I’m not the only one who loves a fancy shindig.”
“Didn’t you sell a bunch of formal dresses this winter?” Abby, Hannah’s cousin, asks.
“I did, actually. I just didn’t put two and two together. Math isn’t my strong suit.”
“I love your dress, Abby,” Hannah says, making her cousin blush. “What did I say?”
“This was my backup dress,” Abby says, giving her date, Dr. Drake Merritt, the side-eye.
“What happened to the other one? Is it defective? Should I send it back?” Willa asks.
“No, nothing like that,” Abby says.
“I ripped the first one off of her,” Drake says calmly as if he’s discussing the weather.
“Drake!” Abby says.
“What? It’s the truth.”
“Well, at least you had a backup plan,” Willa says with a laugh, glancing at me because I had the same exact thought when I saw her earlier.
We’re at a table with Brad and Hannah, Abby and Drake, and Jacob and Grace, who are currently across the room chatting with the medical director of the hospital.
“Oh, my phone is ringing.” Willa frowns and pulls the cell out of her clutch. “It’s not my mom.”
“Who is it?” I ask.
“Unknown number. Must be Jesse. Hello?” Her face lights up, confirming that it’s her brother. “You have the worst timing. Well, get a regular phone, and I could text you. …I know. I’m at a party with some friends, but Mom’s at my place with Alex. You should call them. …Okay, love you, too. Bye.”
“How is Jesse?” Brad asks. He and Jesse were in the same grade in school. Jesse went into the military after graduation and has rarely come home since.