Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
We struggle on the floor until I’m dragged to my feet by my biceps.
“Get him outside!” Edward yells.
“You make this right!” I yell at Harold with hot blood trickling from my lip. “Do you hear me? You fix this.”
I’m pushed out of the front door and down the stairs before I’m thrown into my car by the guards.
I’m so angry I can’t even see straight.
I take off and speed out the gates, glaring at the estate behind me disappearing quickly. I wince as I touch my eye, I think it’s already black.
* * *
It’s late afternoon and I’m just tidying up for the day. I had to buy a new shirt before I could come into the office. The one I was wearing got ripped this morning in Nottingham. I have no idea how I’m going to explain this black eye and cut lip to Charlotte, either. I’ll think I’ll say it happened in the gym while boxing.
My phone rings and the name Angel lights up the screen.
“Hello, my beautiful girl.”
“Hi,” she breathes, and I can tell that she’s smiling. “Thank you for being so wonderful.”
I frown, wondering what she means. “How are you feeling?” I ask. Does she know about my little psycho attack in Nottingham this morning?
She exhales heavily. “Better. You won’t believe it.”
“What?”
“My father just called me.”
I frown. “He did?” I hesitate. Shit. “What did he say?”
“He wants to repair this rift between us. He wants to start again.”
My eyebrows rise in surprise. “What?”
“He invited us to go to dinner with the family in London on Saturday night.”
“He did?”
“William is coming home, too, and Dad wants to have dinner with everyone there. I’m so excited, Spence. I was hoping he would come around, and now he has,” she gushes happily.
I blow air into my cheeks. To be honest, the last thing I want to do is go to dinner with those fucking pricks.
“That’s okay, isn’t it?” she asks with obvious hope. “You will come with me and try to get along with them, won’t you? Start afresh.” I scratch my head. “Of course. I’ll do anything for you, you know that.”
“You have no idea what a relief this is to me. I feel like a weight has been lifted, and once they get to know you, I know they’ll love you as much as I do.”
I roll my eyes. If she only knew what had gone on this morning. Actually, I don’t care. As long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters.
“And you’ll get to meet William and his wife. They’re back from Switzerland. Oh, this is going to be fantastic.”
“Okay, babe,” I sigh. Fantastic, another brother. I’m already dreading it. “Sounds great,” I lie.
“I’ll see you soon. I’m leaving work now. Let’s put the tree up tonight.”
I smirk. “I thought you didn’t want to have Christmas this year?”
“Christmas is officially back on. I love you.” She smiles.
“Lucky.” I smirk as I touch my throbbing eye socket. “See you soon.”
I hang up and exhale heavily, staring at the phone in my hand. I swing my chair from side to side. Maybe my little visit this morning worked, after all.
Interesting. I’m going to find out exactly what is going on here.
I dial Harold’s number. He answers on the first ring. “Hello, Spencer.” “What’s the catch?” I ask
“No catch. I want to move on.”
“And Edward?”
“Edward wants his sister to be happy. This dinner will be a starting point.”
I stay silent on the phone.
“Thank you for coming to me with your concerns for Charlotte. I appreciate it.”
“Does she know I came to you?”
“No, and I don’t want her to.”
“I only want for her to be happy.”
“As do we. Charlotte is my only concern. So, will I see you Saturday night?” he asks.
“Sure, I’ll see you there.”
* * *
“Don’t bring up anything about the fight we had.” Charlotte smiles. She’s holding my free hand even though I’m driving, her eyes are on me while I watch the road.
It’s Saturday night and we’re on our way to meet her family. Charlotte is buzzing. Me? I’m trying my hardest not to roll my eyes.
“Yes, got it.”
“And ask William about his job as a doctor. He loves speaking about that. It’ll break the ice.”
“Okay.”
“And ask Edward about work. Try to make casual conversation with him, even though he’s quite abrupt at first.”
No shit.
“Do you think I look okay?” She straightens out her dress.
I glance at her and then frown. “You look beautiful.”
“And just—”
“Will you stop telling me what to say?” I interrupt. “I am perfectly capable of holding a civilised conversation.”
“I know,” she sighs. “I just really want this to work out.” She leans over and kisses my cheek as I keep my eyes on the road. “It means so much to me that you’re willing to forgive and forget.”
I force a smile because it’s kind of cute how excited she is. Honestly, I just want this night over with.