Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 70092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
"I mean, Ace knew before we got married," Shelby declares and then tilts her head to the side. “Why? What’s your number?"
"Um," I say, thinking about lying to them but knowing that they would probably see right through me.
"Oh my God,” Clarabella says. “You dirty dog."
"Hardly," I say, bracing myself. “One." The minute I say the number, you could hear a fucking pin drop.
"You’re lying!” That’s the first thing Clarabella shouts to me, and I shake my head.
"How is that possible?" Shelby gasps. “You were on Tinder."
"So?" I snap. “Not everyone that goes on Tinder is there for sex."
"So, you went out on dates,” Clarabella says.
"I did, but that didn't mean I had to sleep with them." I get up now.
"You're a dumbass,” Shelby says, getting up. “You spent the past twelve years sleeping with one man who you are now having a child with, and you’re going to tell me that you don't have any feelings for him."
"Of course, I have feelings for him," I say, swallowing. I love him, my head screams. “But I also know that he wants the whole package with a white picket fence and June Cleaver in the kitchen." I ignore the sting that starts in my eyes. “So it is what it is. Now I'm going to go and see if I can get something to eat."
I turn to walk out. “Or you can text Bennett and ask him to go out and eat with you and tell him." I don't even listen to the rest of what Shelby has to say before she finishes her sentence.
Every single Saturday like clockwork, the phone rings, and I see his name. And every single second after that for the next three days, I can't get my head together. It's only on the third Saturday that there is no text, and I know that it's because we are both going to be at Charlotte's birthday party.
I spend way too much time picking out my outfit, making sure that my makeup is perfect, and when I slip on the dark blue sleeveless A-line cotton dress, I smile. I want to tell myself that I'm smiling because I'm going to see the family today, but deep down, I know I'm smiling because I'm going to see Bennett. I also ignore the thought of him sitting down and talking to me.
I park my car and get the gift from the truck when Harlow's brother, Reed, walks out the front door. "Hey there," he says, holding up his hand to wave at me as he smiles. “My father sent me out here to grab the gift and told me that if I didn't take it from you, he's going to kick my ass."
I can't help but laugh. “Well, aren't you a gentleman," I say, kissing his cheek when he comes closer. “How are you?" I ask as he grabs the box from me, and we walk up the steps.
As soon as I step foot inside the house, I see the chaos. There has to be over fifty people here. “Why didn’t we do this at the venue?" I ask Travis when he sees me.
"We wanted an intimate affair." He rolls his eyes. “By the way," he says and looks down, and I can see that he's nervous about something. “I just wanted to give you a heads-up that Bennett is coming."
I laugh. “I would assume so. He's your best friend."
"He might also bring someone," he says, and my whole body turns to ice. My stomach sinks to my feet, and I feel tingles running all through my body. I also think I'm going to be sick. “I can tell him not to come."
"No." I shake my head and put the biggest fake smile on my face I've ever put. “It's fine." I look around. “I'm going to go and see if I can find Mom." He takes one look at me and lets me go. If I stayed there any longer, I might have burst into tears.
I walk out of the house toward the backyard, and the only thing going through my head is getting the fuck out of here. I look down and walk to the side of the fence, hoping no one stops me. I'll just text Clarabella and tell her that I wasn't feeling well.
The minute I escape the yard without being seen, I walk toward my car. My head is bent, and I don't even see him before I come face-to-face with him and his date.
Chapter 23
Bennett
"Are you sure this is okay?" Clarissa asks from beside me as we walk on the grass toward the backyard.
"Of course." I smile over at her. “I called ahead and asked just to make sure." I look down and then look up again, and I see her walking toward me. My heart stops in my chest when I see her, just like every single time. She doesn't see me watching her as she makes her way closer to me. It takes a couple of seconds before she looks up, and I see that her eyes are a darker blue. Usually, when something is bothering her, they turn that color. "Hey." I hold up my hand as we get close enough.