Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“I have to ask,” Kat says, leaning toward me as we eat. She’s got her hands on her clearly pregnant belly. “Is Gareth always such a grump? He’s so serious all the time.”
“Says the girl married to Ford,” Brice says, laughing.
“Carmine’s way worse than Ford,” Kat says defensively.
“Gareth’s not always so serious,” I say before they start bickering over which husband is grumpier. “He can be sort of funny and goofy sometimes.”
“Goofy?” Kat’s eyebrows shoot up. “I can’t picture it.”
“I couldn’t either, but then he started letting his guard down a little bit.” I smile to myself. “He’s actually pretty funny. You know, when he’s not busy glaring at everything.”
“Gareth funny,” Brice says, shaking her head. “What a world.”
Kat laughs, covering her mouth. “We shouldn’t joke. It’s not like our husbands are much better.”
“Ford’s a delight compared to Carmine.” Brice sighs, shaking her head. “The growling protective asshole bit is nice and all, but sometimes I wish he’d ease up a bit.”
“Trouble in paradise?” Kat asks, eyes wide.
“Not at all,” Brice says, grinning. “Just acknowledging that my husband is not as perfect as he thinks he is.”
“They never are,” I say, nodding.
Both girls laugh. Kat leans closer, eyes narrowed. “I heard about the job. Congrats, that was a big deal, right?”
“Yeah,” I say, nodding. I plaster a smile on my face. “Totally unexpected.”
“We heard Gareth made it happen.” Brice glances at Kat. Her tone softens. “Are you okay? With staying here?”
I blink rapidly as a lump forms in my throat. “Totally fine,” I squeak.
Brice sighs. “Oh, honey. I knew you two were getting closer, just from seeing you together at dinner, and what Carmine was saying—”
“It’s fine, all totally fine,” I say quickly. I don’t want these beautiful, sophisticated women to think I’m just some stupid little girl that falls in love with every man she meets.
Only, Gareth is different, and what we have is different. Or what we had. I don’t know what there is between us anymore.
“You have feelings for him,” Kat says. “And it’s not just because you’re fake married.”
“Which is a complicated enough situation,” Brice adds. “Much worse when you start to have real emotions.”
“I don’t, I mean, I’m not—” I stop, take a deep breath, and finish my glass of champagne. “Yeah, I have feelings for him, and I have no clue what to do about it.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Kat says, patting my hand, shaking her head. “It’ll be okay.”
“Did you tell him?” Brice asks. “I know it’s not easy, but—”
“No,” I say quickly and probably with more panic than I meant. “And please don’t mention it, not even to Carmine or Ford. They’ll tell him.”
The girls exchange another look. “We won’t,” Brice says cautiously. “But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from these men, it’s that you’ve got to just take what you want. At least say it out loud so he’s forced to do something about it. Don’t let him drift, thinking he’s doing the right thing.”
“If you like him, go for it,” Kat says, nodding along.
“It’s not that easy. He knows I have feelings, but he’s convinced this whole job thing is best for me. And he’s kind of not wrong. It’s a dream job.” I stare down at my empty glass, taking deep breaths to keep my emotions in check.
“Honey, if it’s a dream job, why do you look so miserable?” Brice asks.
I can’t answer. If I talk, I’m going to start crying. They must know that, because Kat changes the subject, and they carry the conversation for a while. I drink more champagne until I’m feeling all floaty and happy, and after a few hours, the girls head out.
“Call anytime,” Brice says, hugging me. “I mean it. No matter what happens with you and Gareth, let’s keep in touch.”
“Same goes for me,” Kat says.
“Thank you both for coming,” I say, feeling tipsy, but better than I did before they came over. “I didn’t realize how much I needed some girl time.”
“Happy to do it.” Brice waves, Kat hugs me, and the pair disappear. I watch them go until they’re around the corner and out of sight.
I shut the door, returning to my empty apartment.
Gareth’s empty apartment.
I stand in the living room, staring out the windows, like I have a hundred times. But now I’m replaying that conversation in my head.
I hadn’t admitted out loud what I’m feeling about Gareth until that moment. Not even to myself.
I knew it was happening. I feel it happening. The excitement when he’s around, the disappointment when he’s gone. The way I look forward to him walking in the room.
The way I crave his kiss. His touch.
I’m falling. I’m catching feelings. It’s obvious, so stinking obvious, and now that I’ve said it, I can’t pretend like it’s not happening anymore.
I want him. I really, genuinely want him.