Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
She had put words to exactly how I felt about Reid.
If he would still have me, I would give it all up for him.
I didn’t know what he made as a security guard, but between that and what I could potentially make from the Philharmonic, if they would still have me, I was sure we could scrape by.
If he would still have me.
“We can talk more about this later if you want,” Ginnie said as she picked up her cello.
“I’m in a bit of mood, can we change up the set?” I asked, taking my seat and picking up my cello.
Her darkly-lined eyes lit up with mischief. “What were you thinking?”
“Champagne Problems by Taylor Swift.”
Her head tilted to one side. “Ah, this is starting to make sense. Let me guess, the bodyguard?”
“How did you know?”
“Please. The man is a walking sex god.”
We hadn’t rehearsed it, but we played off each other, switching between who played the melodies and who harmonized seamlessly.
I sang the song’s heartbreaking and very meaningful lyrics in my head as I closed my eyes and played.
By the end of the song, a small group of people who had moved to watch us play started clapping.
I swiped at the tears in my eyes and played it off as adjusting my eye makeup.
We then launched straight into another song, creating a playlist that had both classical pieces and a few pop songs for the next hour.
The yacht we were on was well on its way to giving the guests the perfect view of the Manhattan skyline at sunset, which we could only view through the windows of an interior lounge. The damp evening air was dangerous for our expensive instruments.
“I need a breather and a drink,” Ginnie said. “Let’s take fifteen and head out onto the deck for some fresh air.”
“Sounds perfect.”
After letting Hunter know that I would be stepping below for a moment, we carried our cellos to the small stateroom we had been assigned as a green room. They were too valuable to leave on their stands out in the open among the drinking crowd.
I couldn’t wait for this event to be over so I could head straight back to Reid’s apartment and tell him the news. I wanted to see his face when I told him I was going to stand up to my father and refuse to marry Romney. That I wanted to be with him and only him.
Already I could imagine the cozy mornings making him breakfast before I headed out to work. Trips to local flea markets on the weekend to find fun, kitchy items to decorate the apartment with. Wearing jeans and an old sweater as I headed out to my job as a clerk in some small, beloved neighborhood music store.
It was all going to be so wonderfully normal.
There were butterflies in my stomach. I was like a kid about to set off on a grand adventure filled with new experiences and challenges.
As I emerged from the warren of small hallways below, a very pinched British accent said behind me, “Charlotte, darling. I need to speak with you.”
My spine stiffened as I turned around to face my former fiancé.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, taking in the kaleidoscope of colors on his face that was poorly disguised by makeup. Even if he had properly applied the concealer, it wouldn’t have done anything for the swelling. Or for the bandage across his nose.
His gaze hardened as his left cheek twitched. “I came to speak with you and apologize for the misunderstanding last evening.”
My natural instinct was to cower and then do whatever he said.
But I wasn’t his. I wasn’t a dog my father bred and trained to sell off for breeding.
I belonged to Reid. Only Reid.
I wanted to make him proud, so I wasn’t going to give this asshole the satisfaction.
“Misunderstanding? Here we call it assault.”
“Whatever. It’s in the past. Come, let me show off my beautiful fiancée and show the world the rumors from last night’s party are just that.” He took my arm and pulled me toward him. “Silly rumors. We shall put them to bed, and soon we will be wed and…”
“Are you insane?” I yanked my hand out of his grip. “We’re not getting married.”
“You are making a scene.” His voice lowered and his eyes darted around as if people were watching him.
I searched over his shoulder for Hunter. “Let go of me now, or I really will make a scene, and then I will have my guard throw you overboard. It’s a cold night. I don’t know if you will make it all the way back to shore.” I bared my teeth as I spoke, trying to channel Reid and his command over every situation.
I may not have had the fortitude to be him when it came to my father, but I wasn’t about to let this man walk all over me.