Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
I power through a few more emails, all of which are business related. Construction is moving right along. Most of the guest rooms are complete and just need cleaning up. We’re also waiting on furniture to be delivered, but as soon as we get those main pieces from Jarrett, we can begin to decorate. And by we, I mean Shelly.
My next order of business is to work on running some ads for our website and in the local paper. I’m looking forward to spring when we can open the B&B up and begin hosting events.
“What time is Cormac coming in today?” Hans asks, peeking his head into my office. At least the fucker is wearing clothes this time.
“After school. Zak is going to run him and Callan both back.” I lean back in my chair, studying the guy who has my sister flustered all hours of the day. “How’s he working out for you?”
Hans nods, his features growing serious. “He’s a good kid. Shy. Too skinny. Can barely swing a hammer. He’ll do all right, though. Once we get some meat on his bones and some words out of his mouth, he’ll be just fine.”
“Did you find out where he was staying?”
“Nope. Every day this week he took off walking home, not taking me or Shellbelle up on our offers for a ride.” He shrugs. “She did get him to take leftovers with him last night. That’s progress from when he started a few days ago.”
“Good. Keep me posted.”
“Will do, Boss.” He salutes me and heads out, his boot clonking with each step.
“Hey, Hans?”
“Yep?”
“Learn to use a fucking lock, man. I’ve already memorized the freckles on your ass.”
He laughs on his way out the door. Asshole. I bury myself in work, finalizing my marketing plan to go over with Shelly later, only breaking when she brings me a turkey sandwich. As soon as she leaves, I wolf it down and dive back in. It’s nearing two when someone steps into my office.
“That better be coffee,” I say to Shelly without looking up.
“You know I always come bearing gifts.”
That voice.
No.
The breath is sucked from my lungs when my eyes lift to meet the bright green ones of Toby McAdams. Seeing him in the flesh assaults me with two years of pain, each memory without him a painful lash.
“Hey, Dante boo,” he croons, walking toward my desk. “Feels like forever, right?”
All I can do is gape. I can’t seem to find the words to tell him to leave. He’s smaller than I remember, but still has the same impeccable style. His hair has been coifed into a gelled do and he’s wearing his glasses he usually only reserved for reading. It’s as though he hasn’t aged a bit and stepped through a portal in time.
“Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon by now?” I grit out when I can finally speak.
He winces, his lips pouting out. “I guess you didn’t see my relationship status.”
“I guess not.”
His body straightens and he makes a sour face, one I know means he’s not pleased with my tone. “I broke it off with him.”
An ache forms in my chest, not because I miss him, but because I hurt for the man who got it this time. “Not surprised.”
Toby sets a coffee cup down in front of me. “I understand you’re still upset with me, but I’m here to talk it out. Make amends, hon.”
Hon.
All those times I’d melt at that endearment.
Now, it only pokes at the scab he left on my heart.
“Upset is an understatement, Toby. You fucking ruined me.”
His green eyes widen at my blunt words and then they water with tears. He was always good at the waterworks when it suited him. Like now. He’s not getting the reaction he came for, so he’s going to go back to his old manipulation tactics. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. I see it for what it is now.
“Don’t be like that,” he mutters, his fat bottom lip trembling. “You’re not being fair.”
“Fair?” I choke out. “Tobes, it wasn’t fair for you to end our engagement a week before our wedding.”
The tears escape his lids and he hugs himself, making him seem even smaller. “I’m sorry, okay? I was confused. It was a strange time in my life.”
“All I hear is me, me, me. But that’s how it always is with you. Did you tell the last guy the same thing? That your life was confusing?”
He sobs, bowing his head. I feel like a dick for being mean, but he started this two years ago. I’m doing the best I fucking can not to completely lose my shit.
I clear my throat, straightening my spine. “Why are you here?”
He sniffles and swipes at his cheeks with his palm. “I realized after you called me that the reason I was feeling uneasy with Bradley and the upcoming wedding was because I still loved you.”