Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“Ugh.” Kristin snatched it away from me. “I thought you got rid of all the gifts from the royal family, Madison!”
“I did!” She called from down the hall. “Maybe one got away!”
“Sorry about that.” Kristin handed me another box. “This one is from my mom.”
I stared at the white and cream box. “Tyler’s family sent me gifts?”
“No. Focus on the one in front of you.”
“Were they all from his sister?”
“That looks like it’s probably a custom blanket.” Kristin ignored me. “Tear off the flaps and see.”
“Tell me, Kristin,” I said. “I just want to know.”
She stared at me blankly, not saying a word.
“It wasn’t just his sister.” Madison stepped into the room. “His brother, father, stepmother and extended family…They sent hundreds of gifts.”
The doorbell sounded before I could ask to see them.
“That’s probably the catering,” Kristin said. “Hold that thought.”
She walked over to the door and opened it, sucking in a breath. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to Chloe.” Tyler’s voice was unmistakable. “Now.”
“She’s busy right now.” She sounded cold. “She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“You should ask her that first.”
“I don’t have to.”
I grabbed the arm of the couch and slowly stood to my feet, moving next to Kristin.
Tyler looked at me, and my heart raced in my chest at the sight of his eyes.
“Slam the door in his face when he finishes.” Kristin muttered and walked away.
Tyler looked me up and down, taking in my flowy blue dress, his lips slowly parting. “You look fucking beautiful. How are you?”
I didn’t answer.
I couldn’t.
“Chloe?” He moved closer, running his fingers through my hair, pulling me back into his orbit with ease. “How are you?”
“You weren’t invited to this party.” My voice cracked. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“I’m sadly aware of that,” he said. “Were you at least planning to send me pictures at the end?”
“Through Dillon, yes.”
He nodded and let out a breath. “Dare I ask how many minutes you’re giving me?”
“Three, but you’ve already wasted one by staring at me.”
“In that case, I’ll just say what I should’ve said on the first night we met.”
“It’s a little too late to apologize for not bringing enough condoms.”
“Good to see your sarcasm hasn’t softened since I last saw you.”
“My door slamming skills are even better.”
A slow smile crossed his face, and my heart betrayed my mind with another reckless rhythm. A rhythm only for him.
“For as long as I can remember, every woman I’ve ever met always had an ulterior motive or wanted something from me,” Tyler said. “Every woman except you.”
“That’s because—”
“Wait.” He pressed a finger against my lips. “I’m not done.”
I nodded, and he moved his hand away.
“I’m not leaving here until you let me finish.” He looked into my eyes. “And you should stop counting my minutes because I love you, and I deserve a chance to get this off my chest.”
I remained glued to my spot, and I could sense Madison and Nicole hovering nearby. A fresh set of tears pricked my eyes, and I knew there was no point in fighting their inevitable fall.
“I liked you the first night we met, before the sex.” He smiled. “And to be perfectly honest, after that, I really liked you, borderline loved you.”
My cheeks heated.
“Of course, that lasted for all of five minutes, when you kicked me out like a psychopath, but I still liked you. I still wanted you.” He paused. “I’d already told Dillon to find you the moment we made it back to Seattle, so I was quite taken aback when I saw that you’d be working under me. Although I now know we probably shouldn’t work together—ever, I don’t see why we can’t be together.”
I shook my head, and he wiped away a few of my tears.
“I’m sorry that my family and the press have made your life difficult these past several weeks. I know that experience was new for you, and I’m sure it’s been awful.”
“Its’s been more like a living hell.”
“Okay. A living hell.” He confirmed. “I promise I’ll spend every day making it up to you, and I’ll do my best to keep them away from us, so you don’t have to live your life that way. That said, I have to let you know that I can’t co-parent with you.”
You promised not to fight me for full custody…
“I should’ve asked you before all this happened, but I can’t pretend I’ll ever follow the schedule we agreed on, or be okay with seeing you in doses,” he said. “I’m not interested in co-parenting because I want to marry you.”
“Tyler…”
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He pulled a velvet box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a beautiful pink diamond ring. “I can’t take another night without you next to me. Chloe March, will you marry me?”