Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87601 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87601 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
The thought of working with him is exciting.
Nearly as exciting as the thought of seeing him again tonight.
Crossing my fingers that Gideon’s talk with Adrian goes well—and that my dad decides to return my texts in a speedier fashion than his usual five to six hours—I stretch out on the lounge chair and pull up the October book club pick in audio.
I’m still listening an hour later when my phone dings with a new message.
I lift my cell to see a text from my dad saying—That sounds wise. Better to be measured and thorough with something like this. Let’s circle up about the Bronx project on Monday. Enjoy your weekend. And think about coming to the beach house with me next weekend if the weather’s still good. We haven’t been out on the water in ages and the fishing is incredible this year.
Smiling at my father’s uncrushable belief that I’m eventually going to learn to love fishing as much as he does, I reply—Thanks, Dad. I’ll think about it. And thanks for your support. Have a great rest of your weekend. Hope you catch a big one.
I rise from the lounger, heading back downstairs, marveling at how much easier that was than I was expecting. Hopefully, Gideon’s talk with Adrian is going even half as well.
I keep hoping that right up until the moment Adrian slams into my apartment a little after one p.m., shouting for Ben to “Get dressed, Benjamin. We’re going day drinking. I need approximately ten shots of whiskey to erase this shitty day from my head.”
Before I can ask him what happened with Gideon, he turns to me and says, “You’re a great person, Syd, and I know you give solid advice about most things, but don’t ever suggest I talk to my dad again. He doesn’t get me, and he never will. Some people don’t deserve second chances.” He spins, motioning for Ben, who’s still reeling from being startled out of a nap on the couch with Noelle, to follow him. “Now, Ben. Best friend emergency, bro. Your lady will still be here in a few hours when we’re wasted and feeling no pain.”
Speaking of pain…
I text Gideon, asking—Where are you? I can be there as fast as the subway allows.
Seconds later, he answers. I’m not far, actually. By the obelisk in Central Park. Saddest bench on the path. You can’t miss me.
Chest aching for him, I promise—Be there in ten minutes. I’ll jog.
And jog, I do.
twenty-four
GIDEON
It’s been a long time since I had someone care enough to drop everything and come running for me.
Literally, running.
Sydney jogs into sight just a few minutes after her text, looking stunning in black leggings and a burnt orange tank top that brings out the strawberry notes in her hair. Heads turn as she cuts across the grass to join me on my bench, but she doesn’t notice.
Her focus is all for me. Despite the shitty way things ended with Adrian, I can’t help feeling lucky. And so damned grateful to have someone to talk to.
“Hey,” she says, voice breathy from her run as she slides onto the bench beside me.
“How did you know?”
“Adrian stopped by my place to get Ben and he was…clearly not happy,” she says diplomatically. “What happened? He seemed open to connecting when I spoke to him this morning. I thought this was going to be a good thing for you two. I mean, as good as things could be considering the situation.”
“Considering my son is making the same mistake I did?” I ask with a sigh. “Yeah, I guess I should have known what to say, seeing as I went through the same thing, but I didn’t. Or I did, I guess, but my advice wasn’t what Adrian wanted to hear.”
Her features tighten sympathetically. “What did you say?”
“I told him not to propose to Gigi.”
Her brows shoot up. “What? I didn’t realize that was even on the table. He didn’t mention about proposing this morning.”
“Yeah, well, apparently, he and Gigi talked again before we met up. She hinted they should take the baby as ‘a sign’ and think about making the relationship official. He was already looking at rings.”
“What? Is he insane?” Sydney squeaks, the fact that she’s as shocked by this as I was making me feel better about my less-than-supportive reaction. “He and Gigi have only been dating for a few months, and she’s cheated on him at least twice. That we know of! The baby might not even be his. I didn’t want to bring that up when we spoke because I knew it would put him on the defensive, but someone needs to say something before he marries a woman he barely knows and absolutely can’t trust.”
“Agreed, but I doubt that conversation will go well.” I drag a hand through my hair. “My suggestion that he wait for the results of a paternity test before making any big decisions was the beginning of the end. He stopped listening to anything I had to say after that. He accused me of projecting my issues with his mother onto other people’s relationships and dragging everyone down with my negative vibes.”