Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 77663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Pack a bag with enough clothes for a week.”
“What? Why? I can’t take a vacation right now; we practically just opened and….”
“Vacations will come later; right now, you’re staying at my place with me. Unless you want to wear the same thing to work every day.”
“Shouldn’t you ask if I even want to do that?”
“Why would I want to do that?” He seemed genuinely surprised by the suggestion, which, in turn, had me looking at him like he was touched in the head.
“Listen, sweetheart; I’ve waited two years for you; even though you didn’t know that, I did, so I can only live according to what I know and feel; you’ll just have to catch up.”
“I still have no idea what that has to do with you not asking but telling me what to do.” He sighed and gave me a look like I was the one making trouble.
“It’s simple; I know what I want. The only reason I was willing to give you space and time was because of what you went through with your ex, but I’m pretty sure you’re almost over that shit already, or you wouldn’t have ignited in my bed. Since sex isn’t all there is to a relationship, you’re going to need time to catch up to where I’m at, and in case you don’t know where that is, I’m going to marry you. Close your mouth, babe; that’s not a good look.”
“Marry me? You don’t even know…okay, scratch that, but…” I couldn’t find the right words to say because no one had ever spoken to me quite like that before, not even the men in my family, and they’re known for being bold straight shooters.
“There’s a lot that you don’t know about me. Like, I can’t have kids.” I wanted to sink into the floor after saying that and felt the loss stronger now than the first time around. I’d never been diagnosed, but the fact that Dan had a kid was proof enough that I was the one with the problem.
After it had been proven the way it had been, I never saw the need to get tested. Besides, I hadn’t planned on getting involved with anyone else ever again, so there was no need.
“So, we’ll wait for Joy to have some for us to spoil. Or we can adopt whichever works for you. I never gave too much thought to having any of the little shits, so it’s no skin off my nose.”
I don’t know why, but I wanted to cry. “What about your mom and dad?”
“I disowned them a long time ago. And those two are the last to ask anybody about having grandkids because they sucked as parents.”
He seemed so blasé, but now that I think about it, there must be a very good reason for his sister living with him. We hadn’t touched on anything serious last night except for my situation, but there was nothing said about him.
“You realize I don’t know anything about you?”
“That’s why you’re moving in, crash course.”
“Moving in? But this is my place. I like having my own space.”
“Babe, there are about six unused bedrooms in that house, not to mention rooms that I don’t even know what the fuck they’re for. You’ll have plenty of space. Besides, your lease is almost up for renewal.”
“You can’t just expect me to…. How do you know when my lease is up?”
“Which part of I know everything about you, don’t you get?”
“Everything?”
“Everything, and since you claim not to know anything about me, here’s a little tidbit to tide you over. Tonight, and every other night from here on out, you’ll be sleeping in my bed. How you choose to get there is entirely up to you.”
“What does that mean?”
“You don’t wanna find out, just pack the bag. You’ve got to get to work, and I’ve got shit to do.” I packed the bag but wasn’t sure, even as I did it, just what the hell was happening.
That was the last time I spent any real time in my apartment. I gave him the bag to take back with him, and he followed me to the bakery and then proceeded to bitch about how dark out it was still and how much he didn’t like the idea of me opening the place by myself.
I listened to every word he said because I caught on real quick that arguing would get me nowhere. He brought me lunch that afternoon because he was in town, or so he claims. He was there to pick me up that night, and when we got back to his place, I was surprised to find my favorite skincare products, along with the most expensive makeup kit on the market. I couldn’t afford this before but had stashed samples whenever I came across them.
Even though I had packed a bag, it appeared he had gone shopping at some point during the day because there were bags and bags of clothes and underwear, all in the right size, and I was beginning to think he was too good to be true.