Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“Is that what you want?” My hand slides up to cradle her cheek.
She shrugs. “I mean, this might be my one and only. It might be for appearances, but I’d still like the full experience.”
I nod, knowing that there isn’t a single thing she could ask from me that I wouldn’t give her. She’s giving up so much to help me. If it’s the full experience she wants, the full experience she’ll get.
“Come on.” I lace her fingers through mine, enjoying the feel of her soft skin, grab the bag, and lead her to the break room.
It’s been two days since I’ve seen Monroe. We’ve texted back and forth a little, but I’ve not laid eyes on her in over forty-eight hours. Something I know a man in love would never do. “You should go see her. Drop lunch or flowers off at her work,” Roman tells me.
“Why are you not home with your wife?” I ask him.
“Trust me, I wish I were. She made me come in today. I was ready to cancel all my appointments.”
“She’s going to be there when you get home,” I remind him, and a goofy, joyful look crosses his face.
“I know, man. Best fucking feeling ever to come home to her.”
I nod like I actually understand, when I have no clue what it’s like to have someone waiting at home for you at the end of a long day.
“Take her some flowers. When is your next client?” he asks.
“Not until two. I had one cancel.”
“You’ve got plenty of time. Grab her a coffee and some flowers, and make a show of dropping them off to her in front of all of her coworkers.”
“I don’t know her favorite coffee.”
“You do know I’m married to her best friend, right?” He grabs his phone from his desk and dials Emerson, hitting the speakerphone button so I can hear their conversation.
“Hey, how’s your day?” she greets him. “You caught me on my break.”
“Better now that I’m talking to you. Baby girl, I’ve got you on speaker. Legend is with me. He wants to take Monroe her favorite coffee and some flowers. What’s her drink of choice?”
“Aw, Legend, she’ll love that. Look at you being all husbandly already.”
“It was my idea,” Roman tells her.
Emerson laughs. “Why am I not surprised?”
“He hasn’t seen her in two days, baby girl. The man needs to step up his game.”
“They’re easing everyone into this, Rome. Have patience. Legend?”
“I’m here.”
“She’s an iced-vanilla-latte girl. As far as flowers, we’re women, and anything is always appreciated, especially when it means the man in our life is thinking about us. You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.”
“Thanks, Emerson.”
“Love you, baby girl. I’ll be home around six.”
“I’m working until six.”
“I’ll have dinner ready.”
“I’ll see you at home. Gotta go. Love you.” The call ends before Roman can reply.
He shoves his phone back into his pocket and levels me with his stare. “You sure about all this, man?”
“It’s a lot,” I admit. “But the more I think about it, the more I know it wouldn’t work with anyone but her. She’s right about that. It’s easy enough to get everyone to believe it.”
He nods. “Who knows, maybe it will work out between the two of you.”
“Don’t go getting ideas there, Rome. I know you’re in newlywed heaven, and in the daddy-to-be blissfulness of life, but that’s not for all of us.”
“Just know that when it gets to where you need to talk to someone, you can come to me. You were there for me with all that stuff with Emerson. I appreciate you always having my back.”
“We all do.”
“Forrest came around. Thanks to you.”
“He would have anyway. There isn’t a single person on this earth who can see the two of you together and not understand the love you have is soul deep.”
“Yeah,” he agrees. “Go. You’ve got an iced vanilla latte and flowers to deliver.”
“Need anything while I’m out?”
“Nope, I’m all set.”
“I’ll be back.” I rush down the hall to my room and grab my keys. I stop at the front desk and let Lyra, who’s working again today, know I’m stepping out but will be back before my next client arrives and head out.
Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling my truck into the parking lot of the dentist’s office on the edge of town where Monroe works. With her iced latte and flowers in hand, I head inside. All eyes turn toward me, but I ignore them as I approach the front desk.
“Hi, can I help you?” a young woman asks. She smiles and eyes the latte and flowers I’m holding.
“I’m here to see Monroe Morrison.”
“Oh, sure. Let me see if she can come out to see you. I think she’s just finishing up with a patient.”
“Thanks.” I turn, find an empty seat, and settle in to wait. I’ve got over an hour before I have to be back at the shop, and now that I’m here, I really want to see her. There’s a TV on, but the sound is off. It’s some kind of home renovation show. I watch, getting lost in the demolition they're doing, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and smile when I see her.