Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“I’m such a genius, Freddy.” Picking him up, she walked over to look at the screen on the wall.
Surprise filled her. Followed by displeasure.
“Wonder what he’s doing here, Freddy? Should we just leave him out there? Yeah, I think we should too.”
He was a jerk. Mean. Condescending. The whole time they’d been together, she’d given and given, and all he’d done was take. And the worst thing is that she’d thought that was normal. Because her grandparents had taught her to be grateful for the slightest bit of attention.
Turns out she deserved more.
She moved back toward the kitchen, but he kept knocking. Groaning, she leaned against the island.
“What if he doesn’t go away, Freddy?”
The toy had nothing to offer her. She could call the cops. But he was the deputy mayor and a good talker. He’d probably twist it around on her somehow.
Finally, unable to take the knocking anymore, she stomped to the front door and opened it.
“What?”
Brad blinked at her. “Excuse me?”
“What do you want? And how did you find me?”
He adjusted the lapels of his suit jacket. “That’s quite rude. And it’s not hard to find someone when you have connections.”
Ew. Creepy.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well?”
Brad huffed out a breath. “I’m guessing that this attitude is because I broke up with you. But Autumn, you must have seen that we weren’t working. We weren’t compatible. Laura and I are just a better fit. She can help me with my career.”
Wow, she wondered if Laura knew that was what he cared about most. His career.
“No, we weren’t. But I thought you’d have more class than to break things off with me while I was in a hospital bed after being kidnapped.”
He paled. “You’re right. I should have done things better. I apologize.”
Wow. That was more than she’d expected.
“May I come in?” He glanced around.
“No.”
“Autumn,” he said chidingly. “Are you going to hold a grudge forever?”
“Probably.”
“I apologized.”
She grunted.
“Look, I’m here to make amends. Surely, with our history, you could hear me out. Don’t you owe me that?”
Urgh. “I don’t think I owe you anything, Brad.”
“But I really need to talk to you.”
“So talk.”
“I’m worried about you, Autumn. You’re . . . well . . . you don’t look well.”
“I don’t?” She glanced down at herself. Today, her sweatsuit was pale green with orange stains. And something brown. Huh? Was that chocolate?
“You never used to be like this. Dismissive and rude and messy.”
“I’m not messy.” Her house was clean. Except for her kitchen. But she was creating. Although, now she was itching to start cleaning. She always cleaned when she was anxious. You could judge her mood by how her house looked.
Brad shot her a disbelieving look.
“What do you want, Brad?”
“I need to talk to you. Please, can we go inside?” He glanced around nervously.
“You’re acting odd. What is it? Oh, does Laura not know you’re here?”
“No, she doesn’t. And she wouldn’t like it if she found out.”
She sighed. “I’m not your dirty little secret.”
“Of course not. I just need to talk to you. About how things ended with us.”
She watched as her car drove up outside her house and then pulled into the driveway. Oh, that’s right. The mechanic was bringing it back today. Shoot, she wished she’d changed her top.
“Autumn?” Brad snapped his fingers in front of her face. “Are you listening to me?”
“You’re so rude.”
“And you’re not paying attention to me. Why are you carrying around a stuffed toy?”
That was what he wanted to ask?
She watched as a man climbed out of her car. Wow, he was cute. He bent over to pull something out of the car and she found herself checking out his butt.
Brad turned to see what she was looking at. “Who is that? Why is he in your car?”
“The mechanic. It’s been getting fixed. Looks like they got the dent out.”
“You had an accident? You always were a terrible driver.”
“Hi, there!” the mechanic called out. He had dark hair and eyes. Broad shoulders. She was a sucker for broad shoulders.
“Hi,” she said quietly.
He stared over at Brad who was scowling at him, his arms crossed over his chest. What was his problem?
“You Autumn Snowden?” the man asked.
“She is,” Brad replied. “You fixed her car?”
“Who’re you?” the mechanic asked with a sneer.
“I’m the deputy mayor,” Brad said arrogantly.
She groaned. “God, you’re a dick.”
“What?” Brad snapped.
“Oops, I said that out loud?”
“You did, darling,” the mechanic replied.
“Don’t call her darling,” Brad told him. “That’s harassment.”
“Giant dick,” she said.
“I don’t appreciate that, Autumn,” Brad said stiffly.
The mechanic looked him up and down. “Deputy mayor, huh? Figures.”
“What does that mean?” Brad asked.
“Sorry, Brad was just leaving.” She glared up at her ex.
“I need to talk to you,” Brad insisted.
“Bye-bye Braddy.” The mechanic waved his fingers at him cheekily.
She had to bite back a grin.
A bike roared down the street, turning into her neighbor’s driveway. Brad gave it an irritated look. “What kind of hooligans do you have living next door?”