Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
She says, “I’m sorry . . . We’re happy for her, right?”
“Right. Happy for her.” I nod once and then turn to greet the clients. “Thanks for coming to celebrate.”
Shaking my hand, Mr. Reinhold says, “Life is good, Loch. Quite the success.”
It sure doesn’t feel like it with Tuesday gone. In fact, it feels the opposite. “Life is . . . yeah, a real success.”
“If it isn’t Lochlan Westcott, Esquire,” my younger brother’s voice booms across the office.
I turn to see both of them walking in. Mr. Reinhold says, “More Westcotts by the looks of it. You’ve got some competition.”
“They’re not attorneys, and we learned a long time ago not to let anyone come between us.” It would be unprofessional to share why that rule came about, so I keep it to myself. “Excuse me.”
Harbor is first, wrapping his arms around me. “You did it, brother. All your hard work has paid off. Congrats.”
“Thanks.”
He notices me looking for Lark. “She got called in, or you know she’d be here.”
Bottles of champagne are popped, and I hear that food is in the kitchen. Noah asks, “Where’s Tuesday?”
I have a feeling that’s the running theme tonight. “Long story.”
Leisa greets my brothers and offers to get us drinks. Noah steps up. “No way. I’ll get them. What are you having?” he asks her with a wink. Always turning on the charm. He doesn’t realize she’s immune to his antics.
I’m in no mood to party, so I ask Harbor to my office, shutting the door behind us. “The party’s great. The office deserves it more than my name being added to the letterhead.”
He sits on the couch. “It’s okay to let loose and celebrate your achievements, Loch.”
“You’re the second one to tell me that today.”
“Who was the first?”
“Brady.”
He chuckles. “My man knows what he’s talking about. You should be on top of the world, but you’re not, so what’s going on?”
Sitting at my desk, I tell him the story and how Tuesday went back to Rhode Island.
Noah eventually comes in and sets down two bottles of water. “Who’s the hot new hire?”
“I’m not looking to get sued,” I snap.
“Right.” He grins, and I already know he’s going to walk that line. “I should introduce myself.” Then he looks back and forth between us. “What’d I miss?”
“Nothing,” Harbor and I say in unison.
Chuckling, he says, “That’s believable.” He hasn’t even taken a seat, and he’s already heading for the door again. “I think this room needs something stiffer. If you want bourbon, I’m happy to get it.”
“I want it,” I say, running my hand through my hair.
“On it.” He’s already out the door on a mission.
There’s an entire office of people celebrating my accomplishment, and I’m in my office, not able to think about anything else but Tuesday. “She’s only been gone a few hours, and I’m already a fucking mess.”
Harbor says, “You’re a mess, but you know what’s really happening?”
Looking for that one piece of advice to get me through, I ask, “What?”
“You’re in love.”
I sigh. “I know that already, and I’ve told her. Plenty.”
“Hear me out.” Sounding serious, which is rare for my brothers, he stands and plants his hands on the desk opposite of me. “This isn’t about saying the words, Loch. It’s deeper than that. I know the feeling. You’re lost without her.”
Lost.
That’s exactly what I am.
Lost. That’s heavy.
Fuck, I could really use that drink right about now.
Then he says, “I lost years I could have spent with Lark by making a decision for us on my own, instead of talking to her. It’s not the same situation, but since you don’t know when she’ll return, give her the time she needs, but remind her where her heart lives.”
Remind her of me.
Harbor almost lost his life once. He doesn’t treat things like love or family frivolously. He makes the most of life and gives trusted advice that’s not about him, but the wisdom of his experience, so I listen. When he walks to the window, he asks, “What are you going to do?”
Joining him, I let my gaze travel as far as my eyes can see. I refuse to lose her to her old life, not when we’re so good together in this one. Feeling a renewed determination, I cross my arms over my chest. “Make sure I get her back.”
33
Tuesday
I sort of hate that I’m smiling while looking at my things.
Photos.
A dried corsage from a dance.
Clothes that spill over onto the floor of a walk-in closet.
Shoes that must have cost a fortune.
The handbags are a whole other story of their own.
I spy several Hermès, Chanel, Vuitton, and YSL. The last one makes me think of the purse Loch sent to me the first night at the hotel. He spared no expense when he brought me into his life and took care of me the best way he knew how, protecting me from the world.