Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
I can’t say I’m surprised. “Tell him he’s a very lucky man.”
“I will.” She nods. “He’s what Kirby calls a very lucky ducky, right?”
“That he is.” I grin. “I’ll see you in a month, Mrs. Wells.”
“See you, boss.” She turns to leave my office, her gaze darting back over her shoulder. “Don’t be too big of a tyrant while I’m gone.”
My laughter follows her as she disappears down the corridor.
I glance toward the window of my office again and the vast view of the city beyond.
A trip to Fifth Avenue is in my future in the next day or two since that’s where I’ll find Carrie in her lab at Matiz Cosmetics.
By the time Abby returns from her honeymoon, I’ll know her sister a hell of a lot better than I do now.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Carrie
I had a celebratory dinner by myself at one of the best restaurants in the city tonight. The steak was perfectly cooked, the rice pilaf was a dream, and the salad accompanying it was a culinary masterpiece. It was all so good that I paced myself so I’d have leftovers.
I slide the takeout container into Abby’s fridge, knowing I’ll have the best lunch in the break room at work tomorrow.
I can’t help but smile.
My stepsister has always been the type of person to take care of the needs of those around her. Shortly after we met, she was the one who ran out to buy me a Mother’s Day card when the holiday was approaching because she didn’t want to see a frown on my mom’s beautiful face.
It wasn’t that I ever willingly forgot the day, but after my dad died, every holiday or special occasion arrived with pain attached to it. Because of that, my mom and I made a pact to only celebrate what she deemed “the most important days of the year.”
That meant we’d set our grief aside and relish in the fun on our birthdays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Every other special day that was listed on the calendar she always brought home from the bank she worked at was just another day for the two of us.
It wasn’t until Abby and her dad came into our lives that we slowly started seeing the world through a happier lens again.
I scan the interior of Abby’s fridge and the vast selection of fresh produce, juices, and the two flavors of cheesecake sitting on the bottom shelf.
I told her I’d buy groceries as I needed them, but Abby went above and beyond to make sure I’d eat healthy as I hang out with her kitten.
I glance down at Cindy. She’s a fluffy ball of white fur happily eating a serving of the food Abby left for her. The stack of cans on the counter was next to a note detailing the kitten’s feeding schedule, and everything else I needed to know to take care of her.
I smiled when I saw the note since Abby had already give me all the pointers I needed in person before she left on her honeymoon.
I grab a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge and unscrew the cap. As soon as it’s opened, I retrieve a glass from the cupboard and fill it halfway.
I’m almost done emptying the glass when my phone’s screen lights up with an incoming text message.
Telford: Do you want to go suit shopping after work tomorrow?
Since my after work activities for the next month consist of watching shows on the streaming services Abby and Declan subscribe to that I don’t, I type out a response quickly.
Carrie: I’m in. Dinner before or after?
I lean my hip against the quartz countertop. This kitchen, with all of its high-end finishes and appliances, makes me almost want to offer to cook dinner for us here, but I can plan that out for a night when we’re not setting out on a search for just the right designer suit for Telford to propose in.
Telford: Before. You know I get cranky when I don’t eat early.
“Everyone knows,” I whisper.
Cindy glances at me before she goes back to lick her little red bowl completely clean.
Knowing Telford, I wait for him to close out the text conversation the way he always does.
Telford: Don’t stay up too late, Carrie. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.
A quick look at the corner of my phone’s screen tells me I have over two hours until I’ll be in bed. I stick to a strict bedtime. If I’m not fast asleep by a few minutes after ten each night, I have to drag myself out of bed at my five a.m. wake-up time.
I’ve followed the same sleep pattern every night for years, and it’s never failed me.
I respond to Tel before heading to the bathroom to take a long, hot shower.
Carrie: See you tomorrow. I hope visions of new fragrance formulas dance in your head while you’re sleeping.