Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“I brought Addison lunch,” he says, walking toward my desk and my legs finally decide it’s okay to stand.
“Interesting,” both Clarabella and Sofia say at the same time before crossing their arms over their chests.
“Nothing is interesting.” I walk around my desk toward Stefano, the smell of him making my mouth water and my stomach twinge which makes a certain part of me tighten. “Thank you,” I say, grabbing the bag from him.
“See you later.” He smirks at me and then a smile fills his face. I want to punch him in the face, but I also want to climb him like a tree, so the two parts of my brain are working at the same time.
“Yes,” I grit between clenched teeth, then bite down before I say something I shouldn’t.
He turns and puts the glasses on. “Ladies, have a great day.” He pushes the door open, and when it slams shut behind him, I close my eyes.
“Oh my God,” I hear Sofia mumble, but all I can do is shake my head.
“It’s nothing.” I avoid even looking at them before heading back to my desk.
“It’s not nothing,” Clarabella declares. “It’s lunch from Luke’s.”
“If he got her a whole combo, you know he means business,” Sofia adds.
“If he even got her a drink, he’s been thinking about her the whole day.” Clarabella looks at her, then at me. “Open the bag,” she demands of me.
I open the bag, and my eyes scan a sandwich, a bag of chips, a little something else that looks like a dessert, and a bottle of tea. “It’s a bag of chips, and I think, a dessert.”
“You’re lying,” Sofia scoffs and takes a step forward, but I close the bag before she gets too close, making them both laugh.
“It’s a phase.” I say the only thing I can say. “He just found out he has a daughter.” My hand trembles as I put the bag on my desk. “He’ll move on as soon as everything gets settled.” The words feel like acid in my mouth. He’s going to leave in a matter of time, and I’m going to have a heartbroken girl to deal with.
“He’s buying a house,” Sofia states, and just like that I’m more surprised than I was five minutes ago. “Apparently, that is a huge deal.”
“But—” I start to say, my head spinning. “But he is a city guy.” If I could bang my head on my desk, I think I would bang it over and over again. Just like they do in the cartoons.
“People can change,” Sofia reminds me, “look at me.”
“You grew up in the South,” Clarabella throws out, laughing. “Look at me, she says,” she makes fun of her.
“On a farm,” Sofia counters, throwing her hands in the air. “This is as city as it can get.” She tilts her head to the side. “Buckle up, buttercup, and welcome to the family.”
stefano
I walk out of her office, the door slamming behind me, and I immediately want to go back in there. I know showing up threw her off. I knew the minute she looked up and saw me that she was not expecting me. I also knew I was going to bring her lunch, especially when she said she doesn’t eat to save time and leave early. I didn’t even know what she ate but I asked for the most popular item, so that is what she got.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket and I take it out to find a text from Matty.
Batmobile lands in ten minutes. Where are you?
On my way.
I get into the car and put the phone in the cupholder when another text comes in.
You went to take her lunch?
Yes, why?
Why? Why do you think? The question is why did you take her lunch?
She has to eat. I can’t text, I’m driving.
You have my car. I know damn well you can voice text. Pussy ass, just get here. I don’t want to have to deal with the whole family when they aren’t even here for me.
I don’t bother even answering him because I’m at the private airport in a matter of four minutes. I get out of the car and look around to see Matty standing by the chain-link fence that encloses the area. “Why does everything take four minutes to get to?”
“Small town,” he mumbles, looking up from his phone. “The most I’m in my car is fifteen minutes and that’s if I’m downtown.” He’s about to say something else but stops when we see the plane slowly coming to a stop near the fence. The phone buzzes in both our hands.
Uncle Matthew:
We have arrived.
I look at Matty, who looks at me. “Does he think we can’t see the plane?” He chuckles as the plane shuts off and the side door of the plane opens.