Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“G…”
She squeezes my hand a little tighter. “No, really, I haven’t been. After my husband Paul died, I never settled down. I was a player of sorts.”
I gasp. “G!”
She shrugs. “I was. I never settled down, and well, like I said, I wasn’t a good example for him.”
“He loves you, G. You know he does.”
She nods. “I know he does. My point is that I don’t want you to give up on him. It may take him awhile to figure it out, but I’m pretty sure his heart already loves you... He just needs to let his head catch up.”
I can’t tell her that this really is all fake or that there’s no chance in hell that he’ll ever love me. All I can do is nod my head and agree with her. “Sure, G. I know you’re right.”
She leans back and starts swiping through the pictures again.
“How are my two favorite ladies?”
Lucas comes striding in looking between his Granny and me. He’s handsome in his navy blue pinstripe suit and crisp white shirt. He goes to his Granny first and kisses her on the forehead and hugs her. I can’t help but wonder what all he heard before he came in here, but it’s hard to tell because I feel like we’re in an alternate universe when he comes to me next, leans down, and kisses me right on the lips. “Good morning, wife.”
I almost choke out the words. “Morning.”
He sits down next to me and puts his hand on my knee. “What are you two doing today?”
G sits up a little straighter, still holding the iPad to her chest. I doubt I’ll get it back from her today. “I’m trying to convince your wife that she doesn’t need to be here today. Heck, or the rest of the week. You should have taken her on a honeymoon, Lucas.”
He nods. “I know, and we’re planning one in a few weeks. We just did everything quickly, and you know how hectic it is at the distillery.”
G knows all about the distillery. She ran it for years on her own until her son took it over. Now his sons are all running the show. “Yes, I know exactly how busy the distillery can be, but I also know that you have four–well, three other brothers that can pick up your slack... at least for a week. You didn’t go because of me, and I’m not having it.”
Lucas tries to hide his smile from her. “I know, G.” He squeezes my knee. “Bella deserves a honeymoon, and I’m planning something amazing. I promise. I won’t let either of you down. Okay?”
She begrudgingly agrees. “Fine. I just don’t want either one of you to miss out on anything because of me.”
“I know, Granny. I know.” Lucas turns in his seat. “Can I talk to you in the hallway for a minute?”
I nod, and Granny starts to snicker. “Really? You think I don’t know what’s going on? You just want to be alone with her so you can kiss her. I’m hip on things, Lucas. I know all about being a newlywed.”
He stands up and pulls me with him. “You got me, Granny. I can’t get anything past you.”
He threads our fingers together and pulls me toward the hallway. I look over my shoulder at G. “You better be good while I’m gone. I’ll be right outside the door, and if I peek in here, and you’re trying to stand up on your own, I’ll, I’ll... I’ll delete all the rap music off my phone.”
She gasps and smiles real big. “You got me. I’ll stay right here.”
Lucas and I are both laughing as we walk out into the hallway. We stop outside the door, and he moves his body so he’s standing in front of me. “Is it okay if I go to the office for a little while?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say sure when he continues. “Kelly called and said something came up that I need to see.”
I try not to tense when he says his secretary’s name. “Sure. Of course, whatever you need to do.”
I try to keep the smile on my face and blink up at him. “Is that all? I should probably get back in there.”
Before he can answer me, I turn to go only to have him wrap his hand around my arm and hold me to my spot. “Was there something else?”
He’s looking at my mouth. “No, but we can’t disappoint Granny. She thinks I’m out here ravishing you.”
I can feel heat rise on my face. “Right. So you want me to stand here for a few minutes?”
He cups my face in his hands. “Yeah, something like that.”
I bite on to my lower lip. He’s looking at me like I’m his next meal or something. My stomach starts to flutter. “Lucas?” I say, even though I don’t know for sure what I’m asking. I just know that looking into his eyes is doing something to me that I can’t explain. I lift my hands and put my hands inside his jacket and grab his tucked-in shirt. He always looks put together and wrinkle-free, but that doesn’t stop me from bunching the shirt in my hands.