Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“My brother won’t stop staring at you.”
I asked, “Are you trying to pick a fight with him? You still haven’t told me what last night was about.”
“It doesn’t matter. I have the girl.”
I smiled.
“But I’d love for you to tell me what happened between you two.”
I shook my head, understanding the sharp tone in his voice. “It’s not like that between Felix and me.”
“He seems to think so.”
Nicholas grabbed my hand, molding me close to his body, pulling me tighter into his strong, muscular frame. He guided my arms up around his neck with no space between us before wrapping his arms around me, proving my point.
“Just dance with me.”
I swallowed hard and nodded at his request, not wanting to make a scene when everyone was happy and enjoying themselves at the party. Sighing in defeat, I laid my cheek on his chest, and he placed his chin on top of my head.
“All I’ve ever wanted was you.”
I repeated, needing to know. “What did you say to him?”
“The truth.”
“Which is what? What’s the truth?”
He smiled wide. “That you rode my face.”
I sighed. “I figured that’s what you told him.”
“And you’re disappointed?”
“No.”
He leaned, breathing into my ear. “Look, I’m sorry, all right?” His easy smile was back, his eyes drilling into mine like he needed me to believe him. “He’d been drinking—”
“You know what they say; a drunk person speaks the truth.”
“Then you should start drinking so I can get it from you.”
The conflicting emotions came tumbling down on me, crippling me. I suddenly needed some fresh air and a moment to myself.
To think.
To breathe.
I hated showing weakness in front of anyone. Before he could throw more questions at me, I snapped around, making my way toward the outside rose garden.
Inhaling a long, deep, sturdy breath, I stood in front of the fountain in the center of the garden, trying to distract myself with the water and the soft glow it gave everything around me. Usually, this view would have me awestruck and at peace, but I couldn’t stop the emotions consuming my mind and body.
And then just like that, it unexpectedly changed…
Out of nowhere, his grandmother stood beside me.
CHAPTER 19
NOELLE
Ihadn’t seen her since her husband’s funeral. She was the sweetest woman and had been since the moment I met her. Where his parents and grandfather were firm and hard on Nicholas, his grandmother was the angel among the chaos.
“You look beautiful, but you always do,” she greeted with a loving expression.
“Thank you. You look amazing too.”
She smiled, sitting down on the edge of the fountain.
“Nicholas’s grandfather bought this dress for me years ago. I haven’t worn it since, and I thought tonight would be a good occasion to wear it in his memory. He said it brought out my eyes.”
“It does.”
“You and Nicholas seem awfully chummy.” She set her hands on her lap. “But then again, my grandson has always been smitten with you, and I know you know that.”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure how long I’ve known that, though.”
“Love is complicated sometimes.”
“It can be.”
“Nicholas looks good,” she remarked as if I had something to do with that. “He’s happy to be home. This is where he belongs.”
“I wish he knew that.”
She nodded. “He does.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“He’s just stubborn like his grandfather… I knew when I told him that Nicholas will inherit—”
“Wait, you’re the one who wanted him to own Mistletoe Town?” I questioned, interrupting her.
“Of course.”
I wasn’t expecting her to say that.
“Wow.”
“Why is that so surprising, dear?”
I shrugged. “You’ve just always been so supportive of Nicholas, and I didn’t think you’d want him to own something that he clearly never wanted.”
The concerned expression on her face quickly shifted to endearment. Her eyes always lit up when she talked about her grandson. She lit up when she talked about all her family, but with Nicholas it was different. He was special to her.
“Nicholas has yet to figure out he can do both.”
“What do you mean both?”
“He can relocate his company here.”
“I thought his grandfather didn’t want him to do that.”
She smirked. “His grandfather is no longer here, and it wasn’t that he didn’t want him to open his own business. It was more like he wanted him to follow in his footsteps. Forgive me for saying this, but my husband was a hard-ass when it came to not getting his way. That was why he was such a successful businessman. He never took no for an answer, and I believe Nicholas was the first to ever do so.”
“Does he know that?”
“Yes, but I know in my heart he’ll come around to the idea of him owning a piece of paradise and also his business that he’s worked so hard for. Especially after you guys get married and have kids. Who knows…” She winked at me. “You might be pregnant already.”