Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Falling into the doorway he fucks me on the stairs, my nails chipping and breaking from gripping the stair above and railing to keep from face planting. It occurs to me that this unhealthy obsession I have is like a drug, and in the end our story won’t end well.
The next morning, Heston leaves for his meeting, but my body remembers his touch very well. I told him not to ever leave me here alone again and he promised. I think that means he’s moving in. My hand on my face, I breathe through the nerves making me want to laugh and cry at the same time. I know what I’m feeling, but what the hell am I thinking? Moving in together already? This is just crazy, crazy beautiful. Getting out of bed, I dress in jeans and a white tank, throw my hair up out of my face, the thought we might be moving in together still playing out in my head. I need some fresh air. Rounding my doorway I open my front door and inhale the dew on the grass and summer blowing through the trees.
“No! The birdbath is fine—and you know it!” Owen shouts from his yard, gaining my attention. Tenly stands in jogging pants and a sports bra, pointing to the little birdbath, her face bunched in anger. “It’s going to bring more animals to the area!”
“So what? They’re part of nature bitch!” Owen sneers, stepping in front of his concrete yard ornament.
Stepping off the porch, I make my way over to see what insight I might be able to offer. I mean, they’re always in my business…
“Seriously, Tenly, do you have to do this now?” Flynn asks, standing in buffalo checkered pajama pants, sounding nearly half asleep.
“Hey, guys. Everything okay?” I ask, walking up to them.
“No, this devil bitch hates nature and wants me to take my birdbath down.” Owen doesn’t back down, ready to fight Tenly over this, his red robe flying open behind him.
“It’s just a birdbath.” I look between them, not understanding. It’s not like a bear is going to come wash its face.
Everyone quiets. Tenly snaps her eyes to me. I don’t give in to her silent threats.
“See?” Owen gestures toward me. Flynn holds his head, ready for this to be over so he can go back to bed.
Silence falls onto our shoulders. Tenly crosses her arms.
“If it’s overlooked and someone else does it and says, ‘Oh, you let them do it,’ then it’s my ass! I’ll double check with the HEA. If they agree, it comes down, Owen.” Her voice is lighter, more accepting than the screaming match they were just in.
“Looking forward to it,” he snaps. Tenly huffs and jogs away, leaving me with the guys.
“Are all mornings this entertaining?” I ask. Flynn grins.
“With Owen and Tenly, we could open a ringside attraction.”
Laughing, I look to Owen. He closes his robe, shaking off his anger like a cold chill.
“She has it out for me and you know it, Flynn,” he says sternly. “So, I would ask how last night went, but the whole neighborhood heard how well it went.”
My mouth parts in disbelief. My face fuming with embarrassment. Is he insinuating he could hear me having sex?
“No,” I gush, praying he’s just teasing.
Flynn shakes his head. “He’s just messing with you.”
My shoulders deflate in relief. I glare at Owen laughing his ass off at my expense.
Game on.
17
Six weeks later
“Woman, do you hear me?” Owen’s high-pitched voice cuts through my thoughts. I blink a few times to clear my head. Sitting out back at Owen and Flynn’s, I sigh in frustration, as I perch my pink toes on the edge of a metal patio chair. I was listening until he started getting excited about Heston possibly proposing, then I zoned out. My first marriage didn’t work out, why would I tread that path again? Then again, Heston and I are moving fast so the thought of marriage isn’t preposterous. In the last six weeks, he sold all his furniture and put his place up for sell. He’s even been helping Paige with her pitching a softball. Something her dad was supposed to be doing but fell short. He always promises her things and then ends up with some excuse why he can’t follow through. She used to buy whatever lame reason he gave but now that she’s older she knows he’s a liar and doesn’t expect much from him.
“I hear you. I just think you’re wrong.” Looking over my shoulder, I bat my eyes with a close-lipped smile, knowing that disagreeing with him will rub him the wrong way. He stares back at me before lifting his hand to inspect his cuticles. Oh, how I love his drama queen tantrums.
“He’s right though, I think Heston is going to propose. Even if it’s only been six weeks, you should see the way he looks at you,” Flynn adds, resting his elbow on the table. I think back on the 42 days and how great it’s been. Showering together, working in the yard, and fucking until we can’t breathe. I feel a blanket of security having him here. I feel safe and cared for, not just for myself but for Paige too. In fact, when he leaves, I start overthinking all the things: what if he doesn’t come back? Am I truly in love with him? Is he in love with me? Then I start talking to my mother’s urn, asking her the same crazy questions and wishing she could tell me when she knew she was in love? It’s like I can’t move on without her, the idea of her being gone sinks into the pit of my stomach where I’m deeply afraid I’ll be alone for the rest of my life.