Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“You’re never a bother to me. If you need something, come on down the block and get me. I mean it. Anytime. I’m here to help, promise.”
My phone rings, reminding me I’ve been waiting on a call from Shawna. I pull it out and answer before I miss the call, placing the phone on speaker.
“Hey, gorgeous, I’m hanging with True and Cat. Say hi.”
“Hey guys, how are you?”
“Hi, Shawna,” they sing.
This is what I love about her. Just her voice brings calm and a smile to everyone’s face. If these kids take to you, you’re a good person. I’ve seen them shut down around others.
“Are you his girlfriend?” Cat says quickly.
“Um, no. We’re friends,” Shawna replies softly.
I don’t acknowledge how much I hate hearing her say that. She is a friend, and for her safety, I need to keep it that way. I know all the flirting should stop, but I can’t say I want it to.
“Oh, okay. Are you pretty?” Cat asks.
“She’s gorgeous and one of my best friends,” I say.
“Then why isn’t she your girlfriend?”
“Cat,” True drags out.
“I’m not his type,” Shawna replies.
“Oh, okay. My bad.”
“Cat, True, come on inside for lunch,” Mary calls from the front door. “Hey Josh, how are you?”
“Hey, Mary. I’m good,” I say. “I’ll see you guys later. Thanks for the water fight. That was fun.”
“See you later, Mr. Josh,” they sing.
“Bye, Miss Shawna,” Cat says and waves as if she can see her.
“Bye, guys.”
Shawna
My stomach is twisting and turning. That little girl caught me off guard. I wish I hadn’t said anything.
“What makes you think you’re not my type?” Josh’s voice comes through the line, pulling me from my spiral.
“Oh, um, I used to follow you when you were getting started. I…you…all the girls you dated looked nothing like me.”
He tsks at me. “All an illusion. None of that was real. I couldn’t tell you two thoughts from any of their heads. I never took time to get to know them because they weren’t my type.”
“You still don’t know what I look like.”
“And? Shawna, what’s keeping me from you has nothing to do with my type.”
“Oh, right. Mayven is your friend. I get it.”
“No, baby, you don’t, but that’s why I like you.”
I knit my brows in confusion. I always get the sense he’s holding me at arm’s length. A part of me thinks it’s because he doesn’t know what I look like. Then I wonder if it’s because of Ven. Now I don’t know what it is. I just know I’m drawn to him.
“I’m not going to run, you know.”
“Yeah, I figured that, but I can’t say I know how to walk away now.”
“Then we’ll pretend we don’t know each other when we meet. Ven will never know.”
He gives a chuckle that warms my belly. “Your cousin is the least of the things you should worry about when it comes to me, but enough about me. Have you finished your list?”
“Almost. I can email it to you when I’m done.”
“Text it. I want to always have it handy. I’m going to make sure you live out your dreams, Shawna. Your happiness is my happiness. You have freedom I’ll never have. I think that’s why I’m ob—” he cuts off, leaving me hanging on his words.
“Damn, I have to go. I’ll text you later when I have some free time.”
“Yeah, okay. I have some proofs to look through. I’ll be around.”
“I need you to start living. Go hang out, gorgeous. Talk to you later.”
I hang up and stare at my phone. I have so many questions running through my head. Why wouldn’t he feel free? He’s been building his own empire and doing great at it.
As much as I know about Joshua, he’s still a conundrum to me. I sigh and look around my apartment. The others asked me to go out for drinks, but I didn’t want to.
Why not?
I don’t really know. I try to tell myself it’s not because of Joshua, but I know deep down inside that it is.
Chapter 21
Need Help
Kelex
A month later…
“Welcome home, Mr. Nikolaou,” my driver says as I stand at the back door of my car after stepping off the jet.
“Thanks. I want a shower and my bed. No stops necessary,” I murmur.
I’m so fucking tired, I could face-plant right where I stand. Being the voice and handler for our operation has been daunting. We’ve grown faster than I ever thought we could.
Between learning through books and research, Achilles’s mentorship, and hands-on experience, I’m becoming an extension of him, which is what we need for the brand. No one expected me to be so good at this, but I know every inch of our business as if I built it all by myself.
The travel is tearing me apart, but I’m determined to keep going. My grandfather sounds so proud whenever we talk. I’ve learned from Jeff that my father hates that I’m doing so well.