Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67675 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67675 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“What if she doesn’t like Frozen?” I asked as I watched the room take shape.
“Then she’s the one kid in the world who doesn’t, but her mom assured me she did.”
I put the doll I’d never given Emma on the bed when it was made up. Then I walked around the space, dazed. A white dresser sat against one wall. The decorator had switched out the plain knobs for blue crystal pulls. There was a small, golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling, pale pink and blue tulip bulbs that looked like flowers when they were lit. A pale pink rug in the center of the floor, catching the colorful refractions from above. How the hell had my life gone from a minimalist guest room with its simple furniture and plain walls to this? It was baffling.
I walked out into the main room and twitched when I saw that a royal blue throw had been added to my couch. Throw pillows in similar jewel tones. A rug underneath my dining room table. How the hell had she even managed that? The table weighed about as much as an elephant. She’d also swapped out my functional, steel espresso maker for a mint green one that had more buttons and knobs that I knew what to do with.
I walked through, noting the changes. A lamp where one hadn’t been before, its shade adding another splash of color. Patio furniture with deep, soft cushions instead of a clean, slate space. A small bar cart on large, ornate wheels against one end. Candles and blankets everywhere.
It looked way too fucking inviting.
But I reminded myself, it was still the safest place in the city, so it was where Emma belonged.
12
CAMI
Casey helped me pack up Emma’s and my things and followed us to Landon’s building when I couldn’t fit everything in my car. She’d asked about half a dozen times if I was sure about this, and when she saw Landon standing in the lobby, his arms folded, she asked again in a whisper.
“Are you sure, Cami? He doesn’t look very safe himself.”
She was right. With his imposing height, predatory stance, chiseled jawline, and piercing eyes, safe was the last thing I’d call Landon. That was what had attracted me to him the first time I saw him. He was mysterious, a little dangerous, and looked hard all the way through. The kindness I knew existed lived deep beneath the surface. You had to work to reach it. I suppose I’d been attracted to that too.
Landon’s eyes sharpened when he spotted Casey beside me. “You shouldn’t have brought her,” he said, walking over to meet us.
Casey’s face filled with attitude. An eyebrow went up, a corner of her mouth went down. I could see the sharp retorts chambering on her tongue.
“She’s my best friend,” I said before she could set them loose like a flurry of tiny darts that wouldn’t faze Landon in the least. “And Emma’s godmother.”
“And now she knows where you’re staying. Nice position to put your best friend and Emma’s godmother in.”
I opened my mouth, shut it. Damnit, he was right.
Landon pulled a card from his wallet and handed it to Casey. “Call me if you notice anything suspicious. Someone lurking around. Attempts to log in to your accounts. And don’t say a word – verbally, electronically, or written – about where Cami is staying.”
“Of course I wouldn’t,” Casey said scornfully. “I’m not an idiot.”
“It’s for your safety as well as hers.”
Landon moved past her to kneel down in front of Emma. I heard him say, “Nice shoes, kid,” before Casey sunk an elbow into my side.
“Is he always this paranoid?” she hissed.
I’d downplayed the threats to Casey, not wanting her to worry. Now I wondered if I’d done her a disservice. Landon was right. If the person sending the threats was really serious about hurting us, and if they had any inkling that Casey knew where we were, they could target her. Landon’s criticisms of the security at her place replayed in my mind ominously.
“Casey, maybe you should stay at a hotel for a few weeks,” I said nervously.
“He’s got you paranoid now, too.” Casey shook her head. “I don’t like this, Cami. Do you really feel safe with him?”
I thought about it, then nodded. “Safer than anywhere else.”
Casey’s eyes showed her disbelief. She didn’t get it. She’d never understood the appeal of a man like Landon, or any men for that matter. “Call me if you change your mind,” she said. “If he doesn’t confiscate your cell phone.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s not going to confiscate my cell phone, Casey. I’m hiding out from a creep, not moving in with one.”
Casey clearly disagreed. She hugged me goodbye and then scooped Emma up in a bear hug that interrupted whatever she and Landon were talking about. I saw his eyes flash as Casey carried her off a few steps, smacking kisses against her cheek and whispering something in her ear. Probably something like ‘you call Aunt Casey if you need anything.’