Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“What if I’m too late?”
“You can’t be that far behind her. When was the last time you saw her?”
I heard Xander’s car start, and his phone switched to Bluetooth. “When I got home from work. Around six or so. Then I took the kids out for dinner, and I think she was gone when we got back.”
“How’d she get to the airport?”
“Ari.”
“Did you—”
“No answer.”
“Shoot Ari a text and explain that you need to talk to Veronica, and anything she can do would help.”
“Okay.”
“And Austin—figure out what you’re going to say to Veronica if you get the chance.”
“I know what to say,” I told him. “I just need the chance to say it.”
With shaking fingers, I texted Ari.
Where is she? PLEASE tell me.
I fucked up and I need to talk to her before she leaves.
Ari I’m begging you.
If I have ever been like a brother to you, please tell her to call me.
“Daddy?”
I turned around to see the twins standing there in their pajamas, both hugging their stuffed apples.
“We heard yelling,” Owen said, his expression worried.
“I’m sorry, guys. I just realized I made a huge mistake, and I’m—”
My phone buzzed. It was a message from Ari.
Hey. She’s here at Moe’s. But she
I didn’t even bother reading the rest of it. I grabbed my keys and told the kids to get in the car.
“So here’s the thing,” I told them as I sped toward Main Street. “I’m in love with Veronica.”
“You are?” Owen asked. “Like you want to kiss her?”
“Yes.”
“Gross!”
“I don’t think it’s gross,” Adelaide said. “I think you should be in love with her. I think you should marry her and she should live with us.”
I started to choke. “One thing at a time.”
TWENTY-SIX
veronica
“I don’t understand why you’re leaving,” Larry said, scratching his head. “Tell us again.”
Sighing, I looked down at the burger and fries on my plate. Ari had talked me into coming to Moe’s before taking me to the airport since we had so much extra time—I’d wanted to be out of the house by the time Austin came home with the kids. I was seated at the counter in the same spot I’d sat in the day I ran out on my wedding. The day I met Austin.
“Because I don’t have a reason to stay,” I said again.
“But I heard Austin is starting his own business,” put in Gus from the other side of Larry. “Won’t he still need you?”
“He needs a nanny, yes,” I said, my chest tight. “But I don’t think he needs me.”
“Hogwash!” said Larry, his face scrunched up like a fist. “I saw the way he looked at you all summer—everybody did.”
“I agree,” said Willene Fleck, whose date night had mostly been spent listening to me weep about leaving Cherry Tree Harbor. “He’s head over heels for you, and we all know it. He just doesn’t want to do the work—it’s tenth grade history class all over again. He’s lazy.”
Despite everything, I jumped to his defense. “No, he’s not. He works harder than anyone I’ve ever known,” I said. “He’d do anything for anyone.”
“Hmph.” Willene wasn’t sold. “Then where is he?”
“He’s with his children,” I said. “Family is what matters most to Austin and always will.”
“That’s right,” said a deep voice behind me. “And my family includes you.”
Gooseflesh swept down my arms. Slowly, I spun around on the stool.
When I saw Austin standing there, the kids at his side—wearing pajamas with sneakers and hugging the stuffed toys I’d given them—my heart started to pound.
“Sorry, Roni.” Next to me, Ari reached over and squeezed my hand. “He texted me a few minutes ago, begging to talk to you. He played the big brother card. I had to tell him where you were.” Then she pointed at Austin. “Don’t make me sorry, Austin. This better be a good grovel.”
I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. The entire place had gone silent. Every eye seemed to be on us. “Austin, what is this?”
“It’s me being selfish,” he said, his dark eyes serious. “It’s me asking you to stay when you have every reason to go. It’s me admitting my mistake, thinking I could let you go without a fight. It’s me doing the thing that would make me happy, and hoping it will make you happy too.” He moved closer to me, close enough to take my hands and pull me to my feet. “It’s me choosing you—just you. As you are.”
My eyes filled with tears as I recognized my own words.
He smiled. “Because you’re not just enough—you’re everything.”
The bell over the door rang, and Xander busted in. “Did I miss it?”
“It’s still happening,” said Gus. “We’re waiting for the big dummy to tell her he loves her.”
“Oh, god.” Panicked, I shook my head. “Austin, you don’t have to do this here.”
“I love you, Veronica Sutton,” he said, his eyes locked on mine like we were the only two in the place. “I probably loved you the minute I saw you at my door in that ridiculous wedding dress. I love your grit and your resilience and your light and your heart. I love the way you embraced my family. I love the way you embraced this town. I love the way you make me better. I wish I had said this all sooner.”