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)
“That fire burned too hot and is snuffing out,” Owen adds. A lump forms in my throat. I love the butterflies, the touching, missing one another when we’re apart. The way Heston’s been acting recently, though, hasn’t been pleasant, and I don’t know what to do about it. What do I say—I don’t like you, so please change?
19
One week later
I grab my robe laying haphazardly on the dresser and slip it on. Tying it while walking into the living room and finding Paige and Heston already up. It’s a nice surprise to see him home, instead of working to make up his big loss. We could use some time together. Every day this week, I’ve wakened up alone. No kiss on the forehead, no whisper that he loves me. It’s as if I’m just a pair of socks on the floor that he doesn’t remember having.
“I wonder what his job is,” Paige says, staring out the living room window.
“Who are you talking about?” I ask.
“Tenly. Layla texted me that her husband is home. I guess it’s a big deal because nobody ever sees him,” Paige informs me, her breath fogging up the window.
“I haven’t met him,” Heston says from the couch, tapping his chin with the remote.
“Yeah, me neither,” I mumble. Pushing Paige out of the way, I glance out the window, checking out the SUV parked across the street. I should go over there and knock on her door like she does every time something new or unexpected happens to any of us. I bet Owen and Flynn are staring out their blinds too. My eyes shift to their house. Finding the curtains moving in the window, I can’t help but smile. My nosy friends are the best. Standing up straight, I let Paige go back to gawking and head toward the coffee. I open the fridge, reach for the pitcher of cold brew, then turn toward the counter, smacking into Heston’s hard chest. The coffee splashes, nearly spilling onto the floor.
I let out a squeal of surprise. “Oh my god, you scared me.”
He takes the pitcher from me and sets it on the counter behind him.
“Babe, I want to apologize. I’ve been having a hard time at work and I took it out on you.”
I tuck hair behind my ear and cross my arms, suddenly feeling vulnerable.
“I mean, you moved in here Heston, so it’s not fair for you to tell me to get a job because you felt like you weren’t making enough.”
“I know, I was just in a bad mood that day.” But that’s not the truth, he’s always snapping or saying things that come off wrong.
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I look away.
“You should do your pottery thing if it makes you happy.” He smiles, and suddenly everything is right in the world. I’m in his arms, he’s looking at me like he used to, like I’m the only thing he wants in life. It’s unnatural the way he moves on so quickly, it makes me think he’s Bipolar.
I place my hand on his smooth chest and smile up at him. Having him close feels good. I missed us being like this.
“I don’t have to worry about money. My mother made sure Paige and me were taken care of, so I could build my portfolio.”
His chest lifts with a large inhale, and he shakes his head. “My mother had two jobs, and my father had a career that had him tied to a desk seven days a week. Money is just a reminder that I don’t want to be like that.”
“Wow,” I mumble. All of that sounds horrible, like they were surviving not living.
“So this is new to me is all, I’m still learning…how to be with someone.” He places his hand on mine and I look into his eyes, the color of the sky just before a storm. He’s told me he’s had girlfriends before me, which I expected, but they never lasted more than a week because he didn’t feel a connection with any of them past sex. It didn’t turn me off because when we first met, I wasn’t looking for anything serious. We just kind of happened.
The front door opens, and I pull the sash to my robe tighter. I see a flash of pink and muscles sprint by me into the foyer. It’s Owen with Flynn beside him.
“What are you two up to?” I ask, walking toward them.
“Did you see him?” Owen asks, fanning himself after running over here in the midsummer heat of South Carolina. Flynn stands coolly, lifting his hand and smoothing his hair back.
“See who?”
“What do you mean, who? Tenly’s husband! Duh!” Owen shouts.
“What’s the big deal about this guy? I don’t understand why everyone’s acting like this.” I laugh. Watching everyone squirm is like watching drunk people when you’re sober.