Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
That he loves me.
That he’s mine.
And so is his heart.
CHAPTER 34
DALLAS
“Ican’t believe training camp starts next month. Where did the summer go?” Hollis shakes his head as he loads up the squat rack.
It’s already closing in on the end of August. This summer has turned out to be the best one of my life. So far.
“I know, man.” Tristan grunts from the incline bench where he’s doing sit-ups. “Bea is starting courses in a few weeks, and she’s a mix of excitement and nerves.” He’s the only one who calls Rix this.
“Is she still stressed about not having a full paycheck?” Flip asks between one-armed pushups.
“Yeah. She’s been making spreadsheets for monthly expenses. I keep telling her it’s fine, and I’ve got this, but this is one of her hang-ups, so I’m letting her do what she needs to do.”
“She’ll get comfortable eventually,” Flip assures him.
“I hope so. She’s been seeing her therapist more, so that’s been helpful,” Tristan agrees, looking over at me. “How are things with you and Hemi?”
“Amazing.” I choose a plate for a chest press and lie on one of the benches. “It’s been nice not having to hide how I feel about her.” She’s been spending more nights with me lately. And she’s been leaving clothes, too. It makes sense for her to stay at my place, where she doesn’t have to worry about being quiet or someone interrupting when we’re making out on the couch. Did I mention it’s been the best summer of my life?
“I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming,” Flip gripes.
“The rest of us did,” Ash mutters, then frowns at his phone. “Shit. Give me a minute.”
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“Shilps was feeling off this morning. I hope she’s not coming down with something.” He steps into the hallway to take the call.
“I hope she’s okay.” I watch the gym door close behind him.
We have a double date tonight. I love having Wills all to myself, but it’s been nice doing couple things with Ash and Shilpa. Sometimes Rix and Tristan, and Hollis and Hammer join us too. It’s the first time I’ve had a girlfriend since I came to Toronto, and the fact that it’s Wills… It’s like my life is complete. I have everything I want—great friends, a fantastic family, an awesome job, and the girl of my dreams. It doesn’t hurt that she’s adventurous in bed and the power balance is addictive as hell.
“She didn’t feel well the other morning in the office, either,” Roman says.
“Hopefully she doesn’t pass whatever she has to Wills.” Those two spend a lot of time together. And with Hammer and Tally working in the office, too, half our group could come down with something, if they’re not careful.
Ash returns a minute later.
“She okay?” I ask.
“Yup. All good.” He gives us the thumbs-up, but he still looks a little worried.
Ash and I finish our workout, grab a bite with the guys, and head home.
“Do you need to postpone the double date?” I ask as we drive the short distance. Ash and Shilpa live in the building across the street from mine.
“It’s nothing serious. She’s just a little disappointed that the crimson tide came in. All the talk about starting a family led to a lot of practicing last month, and we stopped birth control. We know it won’t necessarily happen right away, but she was a couple of days late and started to get excited. Going out tonight will be good for her.”
“I didn’t realize you were jumping in with both feet,” I say.
“We weren’t, but we planted the seed, and now she wants me to plant my seed.” He rubs his bottom lip. “Anyway, you and Hemi seem to know a little something about jumping in with both feet.”
“It’s been the best summer of my life.” I rap on the armrest.
“But…” he presses.
I sigh. “It’s more of an I wish than a but. Everything’s kind of backwards.”
“Because of the engagement?” he asks.
I rub my chin. “Yeah. It’s this thing that just sort of looms. I want her to want this the way I do.”
“She’ll get there.” He pats me on the shoulder. “You’ve had a lot more time with your feelings than she has.”
“I hope so.” He’s right. I’ve loved her for years. She’s hardly had time to like me. But my feelings for her are like ivy, spreading, growing, and I worry she’ll never have enough time to catch up.
“You’re sleeping over tonight,” I say later that evening as the elevator climbs to the penthouse floor. Wills is wearing a wrap dress that does an unbelievable job of highlighting her curves. One tug on the bow at her hip, and everything I want is at my fingertips.
She regards me with a half smile. “That sounds more like an order than a request.” She fingers the end of my tie, bottom lip sliding through her teeth.