Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
I pulled her into a tight hug.
Livvy
I stayed in Ethan’s arms for I don’t know how long, desperately trying to find some answers in the comfort he always provided me until my cell phone rang.
“It’s my dad’s ringtone.” I grabbed it off the coffee table. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hello, honey. How are you holding up?”
He called at least once a day to check in on me, same with my mom.
“I’m better now. I read your article. Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
“I didn’t want you to talk me out of it. Your mother didn’t know either.”
“Daddy, I’m so sorry about everything. I really hope this won’t affect your candidacy next term.”
“If it does, so be it.”
After a long pause, he said, “I’m very proud of you, Elizabeth, and I need you to know that.”
“Thanks, Dad. It means a lot to me, but I also want to say what happened with Beau isn’t your fault. I need you to know that too. He had us all fooled.”
“That’s not what makes it my fault. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have thought you had to marry someone like him. A prestigious last name like Hunter was all I ever wanted for you. I thought that would make whoever you did marry a good man, and I forgot it doesn’t matter. A last name doesn’t make a good person, and I know that, but for some reason, it seemed like it was the best option for your future, and for that, I take full responsibility.”
I half smiled. “I love you, Dad.”
“I should have trusted your ability to make the right choices.”
Ethan nodded at me, mouthing, “I have to take this call.” He stood and left.
“How’s Ethan?” he asked out of nowhere.
“He’s good.”
“He’s always been good to you, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said. “You know, it’s not too late for you to get to know him. I know he’d like that.”
“Your mom likes him. She’s always liked him.”
“I know,” I agreed, being grateful for that.
“Maybe we could all have dinner some time.”
I knew this was how he was trying to make amends.
“That would be great.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
We hung up, and I immediately felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. At least now my relationship with my father would get better, and I could get to know the man everyone loves. Ethan walked back into the room with his cell phone in his hand.
“Everything okay?”
He slipped it into his back pocket. “Just work stuff.”
“You probably need to get back to Charleston?”
“Don’t worry about me. How are you? How was the call with your dad?”
“It was good. He said a lot of things that I’ve needed to hear for a long time.”
“I’m glad you could fix things between you two. I know how important they are to you.”
“Me too.” I stepped toward him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’m ready.”
He grinned, pulling me closer to him. “Ready for what?”
“I’m ready for you to take me home.” Speaking with conviction, I added…
“And I’m not talking about California.”
Chapter
Thirty-One
Ethan
Two Months Later
“Is this the last box?” I questioned, setting it on top of the table in Livvy’s new home in Charleston.
“Yes!” She beamed. “I have officially moved into my new house. “I’m so excited!”
She looked beautiful wearing overalls, and her long, red hair was down. She leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest.
“This is my home, Ethan. This town has always been my home. I never wanted to leave, but I’m thankful I did. It gave me the chance to realize this is where I belong.”
I nodded, understanding.
“I think we need a break.”
“You have been a slave driver all morning.” I grinned. “What do you have in mind?”
While Livvy got her life back together and in order, I helped her however I could. She quit her job and opened up her own firm, focusing on corporate law. I was her first client—her father was her second. Things were slowly but surely falling back into place for everyone, me included.
I was happy to have my girl back in town, close to me. Despite everything that happened and what we said, we knew where the other stood. I was waiting to see where we’d take things in our friendship now that life had settled.
“It’s a surprise,” she replied, smirking like a fool. “Come on.”
I followed her into the garage. With a happy smile, she showed me what was buried deep in one of her boxes.
“I can’t believe you kept them.” I chuckled, amazed that she was holding our old skateboards.
“Of course, I kept them. I have something else too.”
“What?”
She reached into her pockets, pulling out my lock and key necklace. In a flirty expression, she asked, “Want to help me put it on?”
I nodded. “I’d love nothing more.”
After I was done, she turned to face me again. “Thank you.”