Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
After such a tough start in life, I like being the reason that things are improving for Olivia. I’ve become a sanctuary for her, and as long as she feels safe in my arms, nothing else truly matters.
It’s strange being here for me, though, knowing that there’s another life out there for me. It’s like it’s waiting for me, waiting for the day I choose to pick it back up. I have a mansion, a flashy sports car, and a career that has gone unchecked for a while. But none of it seems to matter with Olivia around. Not when we’re making love every single day, getting lost in each other’s embrace. She makes this place feel like home again, even with my brother gone and the Inn about to crumble. I don’t need the material things I used to care about anymore. They were just filling the hole in my heart, the void that gaped inside me. She’s given me everything I was missing out on before.
And nothing else really matters.
The Inn’s foyer is starting to come together. I’ve helped Mom to repaper the walls, and the floor is polished to perfection. It’s starting to look like a place where people might actually want to stay.
And it’s almost like people can sense the change in the place because the guests are beginning to stream in. Mom said she’s seen more guests this week than she has in months, and that’s got to be a good thing.
“You’ve breathed life back into this place,” she tells me as I’m handing a set of keys to a guest. It’s Friday morning, and the weekend guests are beginning to show up. We’re almost booked out for the entire weekend. “I’m so glad you came home, Elijah. It’s been good to have you around again.”
“It’s good to be here, Mom,” I tell her earnestly. It’s the truth.
I’ve been avoiding this place since my brother died, but now…it seems like home again. My childhood memories with him still flash before my eyes every now and then, and it still hurts. But Olivia is a good listener. We talk about him all the time like we’re trying to keep his spirit alive. And that makes it easier knowing he’s not here.
“You seem different,” Mom tells me quietly as the guests meander off upstairs. “Would Olivia have anything to do with that?”
I nod. Because she’s the entire reason I don’t walk around with a gray cloud hanging over my head anymore. She’s the reason that I want to be here in the first place. Reconnecting with my mother has been good too, but Olivia is what keeps me rooted here. She makes me want to build a life here, to create our future between these four walls.
She’s the reason for everything.
“Maybe I misjudged the pair of you,” Mom says gently. “I just wanted what is best for you. But now I see that she’s brought life back to you. I didn’t think I’d see you happy ever again. Not after your brother.”
“Mom…”
“I think maybe it hit you hardest out of us all,” Mom says with a sniff. “You were always so close. You lost your brother and your best friend. You knew him best. And I thought it would be enough to destroy you. But you’ve stayed strong. And now Olivia…she’s brought your smile back. And I’ll always be grateful to her for that.”
I silently pull my mother in for a hug. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re going through the same thing. It’s easy to forget that my brother’s death has bruised all of our hearts. But we have each other, still, and we always will. That’s something to be treasured in itself.
The door to the Inn opens, and we pull apart. My mother has tears in her eyes, and she averts her gaze.
“Do you mind manning the desk? I need a moment,” she says. I put a hand on her arm.
“Of course.”
She leaves the room quickly, and I turn to face the figure who has just walked through the door. I frown at the sight of him. He looks kind of shady, dressed in black with a long trench coat. Something about him just screams weird. But guests are guests…
“Hello, sir. Can I help you? Do you have a reservation?” I ask gruffly. The man ignores my question, approaching the desk with steely eyes.
“I’m looking for someone,” he grunts out. He smells like stale cigarettes, and I begin to feel warier and warier of him by the second. Why does it feel like he’s here to cause trouble?
“I can’t help you there. Guest details are confidential.”
“I’m looking for Olivia Harker,” he snarls.
My blood boils beneath my skin. I suddenly know who this man must be.
Her stalker.
How did he find her here? And why was he dumb enough to show his face here? I growl at him, my fists clenched at my side. I want to hurt him. I want him to suffer for the fear he’s put into Olivia’s heart. But I hold back for now. I have to make sure I’ve got the right man before I pummel him into the ground.