Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“You are? But your father and I love having you here at the house.”
“I know you do, and I love being here. But I’m thirty-one, Mom, and I can’t keep living with you and Dad. I’m going to find a place of my own, but since Palmer offered, it seems like a great idea in the meantime.”
“It is a great idea,” she agreed. “But I just got you back, and now you’re going to leave me again.”
I gave her another squeeze. “I’m not leaving you, I’ll only be ten minutes away. That’s a lot better than Boston.”
She chuckled. “It definitely is. So, you and Gannon?”
My cheeks heated, and I let her go as I stood to look in the full-length mirror—again. “When we broke up, we said we’d leave the future open.”
Her eyes met mine. “Well, anyone can easily see that the two of you are still very much in love.”
“I never stopped loving him, if I’m being honest. Seeing him again, having him here when I wasn’t feeling good, it all felt so right.”
Standing, she said dryly, “Yes, I read about that.”
“Nothing happened. I was too sick to even think about it.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Like you said, you’re thirty-one. And it’s not as if I think you’re a virgin.”
“Mom!” I said, letting out a bubble of laughter.
“What?” She winked as she headed toward my bedroom door. “I will say, I’m starting to think you’re my only hope for grandkids.”
My stomach dropped even as my heart fluttered at the idea of having Gannon’s children. I used to dream of it when we dated before. I hadn’t had those thoughts in a number of years, and I had to admit, the idea both thrilled and scared me.
“That’s not true,” I called out as she headed out of my room.
Truth be told, it probably was true. Braxton had already declared himself a lifelong bachelor with no desire to settle down. Sutton was most likely not getting involved with anyone anytime soon, and Palmer had sworn off men…and had already sent me a picture of the kitten from the local animal rescue that she’d adopted in the hour since I’d last seen her. All the text said was, Look at our new roommate!
The doorbell rang downstairs, and I gave myself one last look in the mirror. I’d decided on jeans and a sleeveless black blouse that I’d tucked in at the front and left out in the back. A simple black belt and black flats completed the look. I’d pulled my hair into a low ponytail and applied light makeup. Mascara, blush, and a soft shade of pink lipstick.
I heard muffled voices, and I grabbed my purse before heading downstairs. As soon as I reached the last step, I could hear my mother talking to Gannon.
“I’ve missed seeing you at our front door, coming to pick up Adelaide.”
He laughed softly. “I’ve missed it too.”
I cleared my throat, and they both turned to look at me. My heart fluttered when Gannon’s face lit up as he took me in. Our eyes met, and we both smiled.
“There she is.” Mom flashed me a wide smile. I could see it written all over her face—she was more than thrilled that Gannon and I were going out on a date. She’d always adored him, and at times even seemed more upset that we’d broken up than I was. Of course, it wasn’t true; I’d been devastated when we’d decided to go our separate ways. In fact, it took a bit of time to do that. If we’d both been in town at the same time, we always seemed to end up together…and usually it was under the sheets in his bed.
My face heated at the memories, and I looked down at my outfit. “Is this okay?”
Gannon made his way over to me. Leaning down, he kissed me on the cheek and then moved his mouth to my ear. “It’s perfect. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I whispered back as we stared into one another’s eyes.
“Where are you two going?” my mother asked, breaking us from the spell that seemed to captivate us both.
“I’m taking Adelaide out for a picnic,” Gannon said.
“A picnic, huh?” I asked, smiling from ear to ear.
Winking, he replied, “Yep, a picnic. We better get going. Do you have a light jacket or a sweatshirt? You might need it.”
My curiosity was piqued. That most likely meant we’d be heading down toward the water. “Let me grab a sweatshirt.”
I rushed upstairs and grabbed the first sweatshirt I could find, then headed back down.
“I better get back to the restaurant. You two have fun!” Mom called over her shoulder as she started for the door. Stopping, she turned to face us. “Should I expect you home tonight?”
“Mom!” I exclaimed while Gannon laughed.
“What?” she asked with a shrug. “I’d rather hear it from you than read about it in The Seaside Chronicle.”