Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“It’s not as insane as it should be,” she admits, shaking her head like she can’t quite believe it. Don’t worry, little knockout, I can’t believe it either. “Crazy stalker vibes and all seem to be the norm in this crazy town.”
“You aren’t wrong,” I mutter more to myself than her. Relief rushes through me, an intoxicating antidote to the anxiety coursing through my veins. “I’ve been bitten by the Silver Spoon Falls love at first sight bug and I couldn’t be happier.”
Her brows lift a bit, measuring her reaction with a lawyer’s precision, weighing every word as if it might just tip the scales. It's a guarded look, one that reminds me you're not supposed to gamble your heart on a hunch.
Still, I push on. “I’m winging it here, but I want to see where this goes. Just give me a shot to prove what I’m feeling is real.” Great. Now, I sound like a love-sick fool.
She’s silent and calculating like she’s already in the courtroom, and I’m either the surprise witness or the last-minute defense. And she’d be smart to slam that gavel down on my ass and tell me I’m nuts. But she doesn’t.
Instead, she takes a breath, and it feels like the universe is holding its breath with her. “Okay, Banks. I’ll give this a chance. But my job has taught me to be cautious.”
Damn if relief doesn’t hit me like a sucker punch. “That’s all I’m asking for. Just a chance. I’m gonna work on making it worth your while, knockout.”
Right then, a nurse steps in to do the routine checks, relieving the heavy atmosphere around us a little. Yvette shoots me an annoyed look at the interruption but lets the nurse do her job.
Once we’re alone again, the room feels warmer and cozier, and I can’t help myself. “So, Ms. Cautious Attorney,” I say with a playful edge, “What’s your verdict so far?”
She smirks, that hint of mischief making a return. “Not guilty of complete madness but we’ll have to see what the future holds.”
Her response wraps around me like a lifeline, easing the tight band around my chest a little bit.
We chat throughout the afternoon mostly about inconsequential things. Each word further dismantles the barriers between us, giving me hope for our future.
It's midmorning and the hospital is bustling with the shuffle of nurses and the muted beeps of machines. Honestly, hospitals are terrible places for thinking, which I’m reminded of as I watch Yvette gather her things with that determined set of her jaw. After a flurry of paperwork and discharge instructions, today’s the day she’s finally getting out of here.
Romi and Sullivan show up right as we manage to bundle everything together, jittery energy in the space between us all. Romi’s already waging a full-scale invasion, insisting her sister stay with them for a while.
“Not happening,” I tell them, maybe a bit more firmly than necessary. “She’s coming with me.”
This earns me a raised eyebrow from Romi and a curious look from Sullivan.
“She needs rest, quiet, and more importantly, she needs someone to make sure she’s safe from fucking Richard Hecken,” I continue, strong and unbending.
“She will be safe at our house,” Romi insists, mutiny flashing in her expressive eyes.
I take a deep breath and calmly state, “Yvette told me you guys have a small baby and a spoiled-ass Rottweiler who thinks he’s a child. There’s no way she’ll get any rest there.”
Yvette watches this exchange with a raised eyebrow. I’m pretty sure she’s enjoying the show. My little knockout enjoys watching the cavalry coming out, sirens blaring.
“Look, my place has enough room to let her relax. Plus,” I add the kill shot, “I have one of the best security systems on the market.”
“I could always go home,” Yvette finally steps in and insists. “No one would be crazy enough to come to Ms. Viola’s house for me.” She’s got a point, but I’m not about to give up.
“It doesn’t matter, little knockout.” I’m not above kidnapping at this point if it comes to that. “You’ll be much safer at my house.” I step close and gently wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to my body. Electricity flows down my spine as I look down at her. “And I’ll sleep better knowing you’re taken care of.” I’ve been in constant contact with Ashton and the town sheriff, Dillon Armstrong. They promised to let me know the moment Richard Asshole Hecken makes bail.
“What about when you go to work?” Romi steps in, not ready to give up. “She’ll be alone several hours a day.”
“I’m going to work from home for the next few days.” I already arranged it while Yvette napped.
“Firemen work from home now?” Romi looks back and forth between me and Yvette while Sullivan stands aside, smirking at the scene.