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)
“Fine, I think,” Willa says as she tucks her phone into her bag. “I don’t hear from him much.”
“Top-secret maneuvers,” Hannah says with a wink. “That’s what happens when your brother is 007.”
“I don’t know what he is, honestly,” Willa replies. “He doesn’t tell us anything. But he sounded good.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.” A local celebrity, a radio DJ who has been around for a long time, is the master of ceremonies tonight. In addition to the large donation that Jacob and I made, there’s a silent auction happening, and he will reveal the winners after the announcement of the donation. “Before we begin with the silent auction winners—I really hope I won that trip to Maui for my wife and myself—I’d like to invite two men to come up and join me.
“Please give Max Hull and Jacob Berkley a round of applause.”
Jacob and I stand, buttoning our coats, and walk through the ballroom to the podium. We decided beforehand that I would be the one to speak on behalf of both of us.
“Good evening,” I begin and wait for the room to quiet. “Jacob and I are honored to be with you tonight. As you know, the money collected from the silent auction benefits the hospital, going toward the new cancer facility set to break ground in the spring.
“It is my distinct privilege to announce that Jacob and I have each donated one million dollars toward this worthy cause.”
The room erupts into applause, and I step back to shake Jacob’s hand, then look out across the crowd to find Willa, who is beaming proudly. She knew that I was making a donation tonight, but I hadn’t told her how much.
Jacob and I smile and pose for a round of photos, then return to our seats with our friends.
“I had no idea,” Willa whispers in my ear.
“I know.” I take her hand in mine and kiss it, ignoring the looks from those seated near us. Tonight is the first time we’ve been outwardly affectionate in public, and it already has the rumor mill buzzing.
Let it buzz. I don’t give a shit.
Willa’s mine. I’d gladly take out a full-page ad in the newspaper if that’s what it takes to let everyone know that I’m completely gone over her. Hell, I never stopped loving her for the girl she was, and I can’t resist the amazing woman she is now. I’m damn proud to have her by my side.
***
“I’m drowning,” Willa says the next morning. She’s at the shop, and Alex is out of school. Her mom is helping her, along with the two girls Willa hired as part-time help, but they’re barely keeping up.
“Did you make everything free?” I ask, looking around in awe.
“Almost. It’s a winter sale so I can make room for the spring inventory I have coming in. Everything’s fifty-percent off. Apparently, the advertising I did worked.”
“You’re a walking advertisement,” I remind her, watching as a woman in her early twenties squeals with delight when she finds the pair of jeans she’s been looking for. “You always look fantastic, Wills. They just want to look like you.”
“They just want a killer deal on a pair of jeans,” she says, but boosts herself up on her tiptoes and offers me a kiss. “But thank you for saying sweet things.”
“They’re true.” I kiss her plump lips. “How can I help?”
“I was hoping Alex could spend the day with Ken, but he caught the flu. Ken, not Alex. And I need Mom here—”
“I got this,” I say easily as Alex joins us. “I’ll take Alex for the day.”
“Yes!” Alex exclaims, holding his hand up for a high-five.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to do that.”
“I’m totally sure.”
“What are you going to do?”
“We’ll figure it out,” I reply with a shrug.
“Yeah, Mom,” Alex says, shrugging the same way I just did. “We’ll figure it out.”
She sighs, looking back and forth between us, and then shrugs herself. “Okay. Thank you. And, Alexander Cary Monroe, you behave and do as you’re told. You’ve had a crappy attitude lately.”
“Wow, your full name, dude.”
“Yeah,” Alex says, staring at the floor. “Yes, ma’am, I’ll be good.”
She squats in front of him and pulls him in for a hug. “I love you so much. You hurt my feelings when you sass me.”
“I’m sorry,” he says and kisses her cheek. “I’ll be good. Honest.”
“Okay, then.” She smiles up at me as if I hung the moon. I enjoy the kid. If spending time with him earns me looks like that, I’ll take him every day. “Have fun.”
“We will.” I kiss her lips once more, then follow Alex to her office so we can gather his jacket. “Where’s Rocky?”
“At Grandma and Grandpa’s,” he says, moping. “I couldn’t go because Grandpa’s sick, but Rocky got to go.”
“I bet he’s good company for your grandpa,” I say as he shoves his arms into his coat. “I know that it would help me feel better to have a puppy to snuggle.”