Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
I’ve always adored Coleson and Eliza’s space. I love how open it is, with only the bathroom enclosed. I adore how the French doors lead to the balcony that overlooks the whole town and the mountains. I can’t wait to sit out there and sip on my tea or even a smoothie from Drippy Drip downstairs. Right now, it is just a shell of a home, but once I put my touches in here and start getting baby things, it will feel like mine. I guess now that I’m not living with Louisa, I can finally hit Buy on my Amazon cart.
Especially since I’ll be coming clean by the end of the night.
I swallow hard as I close the fridge and turn just as Clara is closing the closet doors. She eyes me, and, self-consciously, I pull at the large button-up black muslin shirt that I paired with red leggings. The shirt is a bit see-through, showing my black bra, and I did that to drive him feral. My hair is pulled up in a high, perfect bun with little strands of hair falling every which way around my face. I put on makeup, which I know is a bad idea when I’m trying to keep Alex at bay, but I couldn’t help myself. I want to look nice for him.
Has he really missed me?
Did he think of me constantly?
Does he truly regret not contacting me?
I assumed when he walked away, he was done. I didn’t expect him to regret anything. I had hurt him, I had pushed him away, and I have done nothing but torment myself about it for six months. Jesus, this is complicated.
I don’t realize Clara has said anything until she says my name with more force. “Elliot. Earth to El!”
I shake my head then plaster a wide smile on my face. “What’s up?”
“You look all gorgeous. Where are you off to?”
I swallow. “I have dinner with a client.”
“Nice. A hot client?”
I snort. “He’s easy on the eyes.”
She beams. “Good. You’ve been a little sad, so maybe this will cheer you up.”
I scrunch up my nose. “I have not.”
“Yes,” she throws back at me, leaning on the counter to set me with a look. Her navy-blue eyes hold mine as her hair falls along her shoulder. “You’ve been off. And what is up with this new style? Why all the baggy clothes?”
And here I assumed she’d been too distracted to notice. “Just comfortable,” I say with a shrug. “And I’m fine.”
“Sure, you are,” she deadpans as she leans on her hand. “What’s going on?”
I can see myself telling my baby sister the truth as if it’s a movie playing in my head. I’d lift my shirt and meet her gaze. Show her the evidence of the child in my belly. I would tell her that Alex is a good man, that he is being supportive, and that I’m not scared. That I’m excited to be a mom. Something I never thought I would be. She’d gush and rub my belly, cooing to her niece or nephew.
But I don’t do any of that. Instead, I lie. “Nothing. Just living the dream.”
She gives me a look. “A dream or a nightmare?”
“Well, I’ve only seen Freddy Krueger twice in the last six months, so maybe a bit of both?”
Clara laughs at that, and I force myself to smile as her phone sounds. She pulls it out and then nods. “My next appointment checked in. I’m gonna head out. Do you want me to come back?”
I shrug. “You don’t have to. We’re done.”
She looks around and agrees, “True. You got some sweet digs. I bet your client will enjoy them.”
“Hardly,” I snort as I shake my head.
“You should. When was the last time you hooked up with someone?” That night in the hotel. But I don’t say anything, and she flashes me a knowing look. “It was Alejandro, wasn’t it?”
“Alex,” I correct, but she shakes her head.
“Nope, he’s Alejandro. It’s spicier that way.”
I grin. “You’re such a weirdo. And don’t worry about my sex life. Worry for your own. How long has it been?”
She scoffs. “Joke’s on you. I slept with one of the dogs’ dads the other day.”
I roll my eyes. “Clara Drew! Don’t mix business with pleasure!”
“As if you are one to talk,” she snarks, and she’s got me there.
“Slutbag.”
“Whore.” She beams. “But for real, bring him home. Scratch that itch.”
“No one but me is coming home tonight.” And that’s the damn truth.
As soon as I tell Alex about the baby, he’s gonna be so pissed, he won’t want anything to do with me.
She rolls her eyes as she comes around the island to hug me. I quickly give her my side, planting a smacking kiss on her cheek to distract her from the fact that I didn’t hug her full on. “Love you, sis.”