Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 132892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Her words hit like a punch to the gut.
“I’m scared,” I admitted softly. Carrie nodded, her face determined.
“I know,” she said. “But we’re going to protect you. First thing, we shut down this shop for good, so you can work in peace without worrying about the crazy sneaking up on you again.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Carrie held up a hand, cutting me off. “Your mom loved this place, but it’s not a functional business. She never would’ve expected you to keep it open and you know it.”
She was right.
“So, that takes care of the shop,” she said. “Now we need to deal with the candy crisis. Should you try to make up for all that lost work here, or should you go to Seattle so you can use the heavy equipment? I hate to even suggest it, but I know you’ll get more done in your big kitchen there. Of course, you’ll also have to clean everything up first and make sure it’s running right. Not only that, you’ll have to deal with Brandon. Not that I care if it’s inconvenient for him. The fucker’s been dragging his feet on the divorce and selling the house, so he can suck it up and share with you for a couple days. The real question is whether you can tolerate him long enough to get the work done.”
I considered her suggestion, weighing the pros and cons as dispassionately as I could.
“I should go to Seattle,” I finally concluded. “With the equipment there I can replace the lost candy twice as fast. Gives some time for the situation with Talia to cool off, too. I’ll have to do something with Dad, though.”
“Take him with you.”
“What happened to keeping him in the home he loves?”
Carried rolled her eyes.
“You’re not supposed to stay there, dumbass. You go, you catch up on your work, and then you come back. Bring Randi, too—I’ll bet she’d love to get out of the house, and she can do all the packaging. She can also help keep an eye on your dad.”
“And the apartment building?”
“Darren will deal with it,” she said. “It’ll be good to get away from the whole Cooper/Talia situation. He may be hot as hell, but so far as I’m concerned, the man is pond scum. He’s got a girlfriend and he’s making moves on you, which means he’s dog shit in my book. I don’t care what the rules of their relationship are—he had no business dragging you into his mess.”
“It wasn’t like that,” I insisted. She raised her brows. “Okay, what he did was pretty shitty. But I shouldn’t have gone to his apartment, either. I’m adult enough to own my own mistakes, Carrie. It’s not like his relationship with Talia was a secret.”
She shrugged.
“Let’s agree to disagree. Now, what needs to happen to get your ass to Seattle?”
Looking around, I frowned at the kitchen. The cleanup alone would take hours.
“No, I’ll take care of the mess here,” she said, apparently reading my mind. “You just grab your supplies and pack some clothes.”
I sighed. “I’ll need to call Brandon.”
“Call and leave a message with his paralegal. Treat him like he treated you, and if it’s inconvenient, that’s just frosting.”
The look on her face was so gleeful that I had to smile.
“Tell me how you really feel.”
“Just respecting the no-bullshit clause in our friendship, Tink.”
“I know,” I said. “That’s what I love about you. Well, that and the way you’re always bringing me food and booze.”
“Priorities, babe. It’s all about the priorities.”
“Ah crap,” I muttered, realizing I had another problem.
“What?”
“There’s no way I can carry everything in the convertible,” I said, groaning. “What was I thinking, trading in my van for a Mustang?”
Carrie burst out laughing, and I glared at her.
“If I hear the words ‘midlife crisis’ I’m strangling you.”
“You were being impulsive for once in your life, which you deserve,” she replied. “Now, ask nicely and I’ll loan you my Suburban.”
“May I please borrow the great big giant SUV you drive because you’re short and compensating?”
“Yup. And I’ll even throw in a bottle of wine, just in case Brandon gets handsy. You can break it over a counter and cut him with it.”
“Oh, I like that idea. I like that idea a lot.”
GAGE
“Made a helluva mess,” I told Picnic. I sat on my couch, feet up on the coffee table, considering my options.
“Sounds like it.”
“You’re a ray of fuckin’ sunshine, aren’t you?”
Picnic laughed, and I could almost see the expression on his face through the phone. “I like to look on the bright side.”
“So let’s discuss the next step,” I said. “I managed to patch things up with Talia. Wasn’t easy or fun. Never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m really over the sex. I’m also worried she’ll do something crazy to Tinker. Bitch was unhinged.”