Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“I’m assuming that what I told them is confidential?” I ask and then stop. “Actually, I don’t even give a shit. It’s my truth.”
“Maybe now would be a good time to get your story out there,” Matthew suggests from beside me when we stop at the SUV. “You should talk to Franny.” I tilt my head to the side. “If there is anyone who can help you tell your truth in a respectful manner, it’s her.”
“I’ll think about it,” I tell him. I expect him to open the driver’s door, but instead, he continues looking at me. “What you said about Vivienne.” I wait for him to talk before continuing. “You mean it, right? I would hate to have to kick your ass.” I throw my head back and laugh. “Does she know you were going to put your eggs all in one basket?” I shake my head.
“No,” I tell him, “but I’ll tell her now.” I fold my hands over my chest. “And if she tells me she can’t do it.” I shrug. “I’ll just call it a day and end it there.”
“You would walk away from the game for her?” Max asks me.
“I’ve walked away from the game once for me.” I swallow. “I would do it in a heartbeat for her. Wouldn’t think twice about it. There is nothing more important to me than her and her happiness.”
“Good to know,” Matthew says, turning to get in the SUV. He drops me off three minutes later. “Come for dinner,” he urges, and I just nod at him. “See you in a bit.”
I walk into the lobby, going to the elevator, and press the PH button for the penthouse. I used the key she gave me before I left, walking into the penthouse. “Vivienne,” I call her name, and I’m shocked when I look over and see our bags packed and waiting at the door. I don’t have time to even think about it before I hear nails on the floor, and I look around the corner, seeing Beatrice coming for me. “Oh my!” I exclaim, getting down on one knee to greet her. She comes to me, her tail going nuts. “How’s my girl?” I greet her, hugging her neck as she turns around and around in a circle in my arms. Her tongue coming out and licking my face over and over again. I look up seeing Vivienne leaning against the wall, wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Her hair is piled on her head, one foot on top of her other foot, the smile filling her face making my whole heart feel complete. “What did you do?”
“Well.” She folds her arms over her chest. “Last night, you said that you usually talk to Beatrice about things. And I know that you are going to have to make big decisions.” I stand up for a second, and Beatrice barks at me, so I get back down on one knee. “So I asked my dad to help me get her here.” I look down at Beatrice, who is panting now. “Then I decided that with her here, we needed to have a backyard, so I rented a house next to my parents’ house.”
I stand up, walking over to her. “You’ve been a busy, busy bee.” I bend to kiss her, and Beatrice barks at me.
I’m about to say something to her when Vivienne says to her, “Hey, sharing is caring. I brought you to him.” I can’t help but laugh, and I’m about to say something to her when the phone rings in my pocket.
I take it out and see that it’s Nico calling. I look at Vivienne, whose eyes open big. “Hello,” I answer, putting the call on speaker.
“Xavier.” Nico’s voice fills the room. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Not really,” I say, “but you are on speakerphone. Vivienne is here.”
“I won’t take much of your time. I just wanted to call and thank you for meeting with me.” I swallow, thinking this is probably a phone call telling me I come with too much baggage. “Manning and I sat down after you left to go over a couple things.” I look up at Vivienne, who steps closer to me and wraps her arms around my waist. “We took everything you said into consideration and weighed your demands.” At this moment right here, I’m so nervous I think I’m going to get sick all over the place. My heart is racing, my stomach is lurching, my hands are shaking, and the back of my neck feels like it’s on fire. “With that said, I’m sorry to say…” My ears ring as I brace for the bad news. “…you are going to be stuck with us.” Vivienne’s face goes into shock. “I’ll call Miles now with an offer.”