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)
“Or not,” he says, reading my mind. “I’m new to this relationship thing. Shorts or nothing.”
“It’s fine.” I wave him off.
He pulls into the parking lot of the gas station and turns to face me. “We’re in this together, Monroe. I don’t want to be one of those married couples who don’t talk about things.”
He’s right. Even though this marriage is for show, we have to live with one another, and we need to communicate. If not, our lives are going to be hell. “I’m sorry. I just… don’t like the idea of other women seeing you like that. Now that we’re… together.”
“I think it’s just us, so you and Emerson, but I respect that. I always want you to talk to me, gorgeous.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses the back. “You need anything?” He nods toward the gas station.
“I’m all set.”
“Be right back.” He climbs out of the truck, and I watch him as he makes his way inside, grabs a bag of ice, and takes it to the counter. I watch as the woman behind the counter seems to be flirting, but Legend doesn’t even crack a smile. That’s not like him. He’s scowling when he gets back in the truck.
“What’s wrong?”
“The clerk was flirting boldly. I told her my girlfriend wouldn’t appreciate it. She proceeded to tell me what my girlfriend didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. Who does that?” He’s clearly upset, and it makes me smile.
“What are you smiling at?”
“My man.”
His eyes soften, and he nods before starting the truck and heading toward Roman and Emerson’s place.
CHAPTER
NINE
Legend
It’s mid-September and hot as hell. I’m outside finishing up mowing the lawn while Monroe is inside reading. We have plans to go to dinner tonight. She was home alone. Her parents took a weekend getaway, something they do quite often, it seems. Good for them. Emerson and Roman had plans with his parents. When she called and asked if she could come over, I made it clear she didn’t need an invitation.
She’s going to be my wife. This is going to be her home. We both need to start getting used to that. I told her to pack a bag so she could stay here. I don’t like her in that big empty house all on her own. Besides, she’s going to be moving in soon. We’ve touched on the topic, but we have yet to set an actual date or timeframe for when it’s going to happen.
I’m just finishing up weed-eating around the mailbox when a black sedan pulls into the driveway. I have no idea who it is, but I follow them up the driveway, weed eater in hand. When the man steps out, he’s wearing a suit and thick-framed glasses perched on his nose.
“Can I help you?” I ask. I grab my T-shirt that I took off and shoved into my back pocket because the sweat was making it stick to my heated skin.
“Legend Raines?” he asks.
“That’s me. You seem to have me at a disadvantage. Do we know each other?”
He shakes his head and thrusts his hand out toward me. “I’m Edward Mullins. I’m your late grandparents’ attorney.”
I nod. Not that I needed an introduction. As soon as he said his name, I knew instantly. “What can I do for you, Mr. Mullins?”
“I’m just following up per the content of the will with an at-home visit.”
I nod. I’m ready to tell him I’m here and still single, but that’s not true. My girlfriend is sitting in the living room, reading. She’s there because of the man standing before me and the people he chose to work with. In reality, I know I can’t hold that against him. He’s just doing his job, and I’m certain he’s been paid well to do it.
“Just finishing up. Would you like to come in?”
He nods. “Yeah, just doing a drop-in.”
“My girlfriend is inside. Just let me make sure she’s decent. We weren’t expecting company.”
His eyes widen, but he nods and rocks on his heels.
“Have a seat on the porch while I check.” I don’t wait for his reply. I rush up the steps, abandoning the weed eater on the porch before rushing inside the house.
“What’s wrong?” Monroe lowers her Kindle and is instantly on alert.
“Mr. Mullins. My grandparents’ attorney. He’s here. On the front porch.”
“I’m guessing we didn’t know he was coming?”
I ignore the way “we” falls from her lips, and what it does to my heart knowing she’s freely linking herself with me. We are a united front, and Monroe is all in. “No.”
“Good thing I’m here.” She flashes me a wide grin. “Are you going to invite him in?”
“Yeah, I told him my girlfriend was inside and I needed to make sure she was decent, since we weren’t expecting company.”
“Oh, you’re good.” Her laughter fills the room. “Go, invite him in. We’ve got this.”