Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“Will you be staying with me as my…” Not boyfriend, I hate that word. “Nathan?”
He tries to stifle a smile. “Your Nathan?”
“You know what I mean. I have to go.”
“I’ll escort you; I still have time.”
“No.” I lean up and kiss his jaw. “Stay with Dillan. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
He frowns. “I’ll call you later, when you’ve finished work.”
“I mean we’ll talk properly tomorrow.”
He gulps, his eyes widening. “You promised me a few weeks. Please… just give me two weeks.”
I relent, kiss his lips softly and leave the house, but not before washing my face and brushing my teeth because that would be gross.
I’m halfway to work when I receive a text.
Nathan: Tell me you love me.
Normally I’d wonder why he demands this, but I realise that I don’t care. I mean it, so if he wants to hear it, or read it, then I’ll make sure he does.
Gwen: I love you. <3
He doesn’t respond; he doesn’t have to because I know he loves me too, probably a lot more than I love him. This sounds bad, but I don’t mean it to be. It’s just the truth. We both know that I’ll never love anyone as much as I loved Caleb. I’ve accepted my circumstances and I’m making an effort to move on, but Nathan will never be Caleb. He’s accepted that; he knows that and I appreciate that. And I do love him, a lot. More than I ever thought possible. I’m selfish; I should let him go and find someone who will love him as much as he loves in return, but I can’t.
I can’t lose him too.
Just seeing him making a move to leave, I’ve never felt so panicked in my life. Sure I stood my ground, but on the inside I was shaking worse than maracas on a whore’s belt.
“Thank you,” Valentine announces as I walk through the door. Two seconds later there’s an apron on my head. Two minutes after that, Tiffany is here and an hour later, the three of us are covered in flour.
It’s safe to say that by the time I’m finished, I’ve never been so exhausted in my life. I’m half tempted to call Nathan and demand he come to mine so I don’t have to get up with Dillan through the night. I don’t though; we need tonight apart.
Tiffany gives me a ride home and we moan the entire way about last minute bridal parties and their stupid orders. In reality we’re very grateful for the custom, but we need something to moan about. We’re tired and grumpy.
I’m halfway up the driveway when my mum comes rushing out of the house, drops Dillan in my arms and climbs into a car pulled up by the curb just across the street.
“Slut,” I joke, smiling at my baby. I wonder when I’ll get to meet this mystery man. I’ve been far too self-involved as of late.
Bed is the first place I go after having a shower and playing with Dillan for an hour.
It’s almost nine when I feel my phone vibrate from under my pillow.
I look at it and smile.
Nathan: Look under your pillow.
I stare at the message for a while before finally moving my pillow out of the way. I immediately spot a small white velvet bag with a dark red ribbon tied into a bow around the top. Smiling, I loosen the bow and tip the contents into my hand. Two shimmering earrings rest on the palm of my hand, the diamond studs shaped like twin love hearts.
My heart warms as I lightly touch them with my fingers. They’re beautiful.
My phone beeps, alerting me to another text.
Nathan: Go to your window.
I don’t hesitate this time; I race towards it and throw open the curtains before scanning the driveway for the man I expect to find there. He’s leaning on the hood of his car, which is parked at the end of the driveway. He looks up at me with a smile on his face. I smile back; I can’t help it. He points at his phone, signalling that I should look at mine.
I do.
Nathan: I’m sorry.
Another one comes through.
Nathan: Really sorry.
Then another.
Nathan: Really, really sorry.
Followed immediately by another.
Nathan: Tell me you love me.
Gwen: Always.
I place my hand on the glass and wait for the next text. I can see him typing it on his phone.
I feel giddy when it finally comes through.
Nathan: Come down so I can kiss you.
My legs are moving before I even finish reading. Seconds later I’m throwing myself into his arms and all is right in the world.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I help Valentine load the numerous boxes into a white van. They’re to be taken straight to the bridal party. As I’m climbing out of the back, backwards, only because I can’t turn due to there being too many boxes and no room, I feel strong hands at my hips and shriek.