Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“It wouldn’t be a betrayal,” she says, sounding remarkably calm. Running the inn together—and eventually buying out the owners and creating our own lasting, Reindeer Corners legacy—has been our dream since we were kids. “I’m not blind, C.C. Or stupid. I know running the inn hasn’t been as fulfilling for you as it has been for me. Especially lately. You miss the city life and all the action and excitement and endless supply of things to do. If you need to make a fresh start with a B&B or a hotel in a larger market, I would understand. I’d miss you like crazy, but…I’d get it. I just want you to be happy and excited about where your life is headed, even if that means I don’t get to see you every day.”
Fighting tears, I whisper, “You’re incredible. I love you so much.”
“I know. I’m amazing.” She laughs, but her voice wobbles as she adds, “No other big-city friend could ever be as good as me. Promise me I’ll always be your favorite. Forever and ever.”
“Always,” I promise, dabbing at the corners of my eyes.
“And if our husbands die before us and our kids are annoying, we’re still going to get a house together on the beach, right? And collect seashells and be fabulous and old together?”
“No doubt.”
“Good. Oh, and speaking of husband and kids…” She sucks in a breath. “Harry proposed! Last night at the town tree lighting. And I said yes!”
“Oh my God, Kayla! Congratulations,” I say, a smile bursting across my face.
“Thanks! It wasn’t Rockefeller Center, but it was romantic and perfect, and I can’t wait to marry the heck out of him. We’re going to do it at the inn this summer. You’re the maid of honor so block off the last weekend in June. It’s going to be epic! We’re going to party for four days and have at least two wedding cakes. Maybe three.”
“Sounds amazing,” I say, still beaming as I start toward the museum again. “I’m so happy for you. You two are the real deal. I adore you both.”
“Thank you,” she says, giggling. “Now go get your panties melted off, woman. You deserve it. Follow your heart and everything will work out. I just know it.”
I tell her I love her again and end the call, feeling ten pounds lighter.
She’s right. I can’t protect my nephews from their mother’s mistakes. Vivian’s told too many lies. There’s literally no way she’ll be able to avoid dealing with the consequences forever. And when that happens, the only one she’ll have to blame is herself. She violated the trust of the people that matter most, and she’ll have to deal with the fallout.
But I’ll always be grateful to her for one thing…
Thank God she was too blind to see that the man waiting by the museum’s grand marble steps is one in a million.
He really is, a fact he proves by confessing, “I’m sorry. I pushed Ainsley to tell Eduardo to tell you about Jenna’s stalking on the dark web.” His brow furrows with regret. “I instigated a reality show girl fight, and I feel terrible.”
I smile as I study his gorgeous, guilty face. “You’re cute when you’re plagued with remorse.”
He blinks, “You aren’t upset?”
I shake my head. “No. That’s your job.” I shrug. “I’m just glad someone told me, so I could nip it in the bud. Hopefully, our little talk today will keep her from doing anything like that again. To me or to anyone else.”
“I saw what happened, but I couldn’t hear what you’d said until Ainsley sent the footage to my phone a little while back.” His voice drops to a husky whisper as he adds, “When you said your kink was justice… I may have had a minor cardiac event.”
I bite my bottom lip, fighting a smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” he says. “You’re sexy when you’re calling people on their bullshit.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I murmur, wondering if I have the guts to call him on his bullshit. We’re not meant to be friends, and we both know it.
“Shall we?” he asks, holding out his arm.
I slip my hand through his elbow, and nod, deciding calling him out can wait. For now. “We shall.”
“This way,” he says, nodding to the left side of the massive building. “Members have a special sneaky side entrance with little to no wait.”
I hum as he guides me past the fountain. “I love a sneaky side entrance.”
“I thought you might,” he says with a wiggle of his brows. “Stick with me, kid. I know all this city’s secrets.”
I grin. “I think I will.”
eighteen
. . .
Leo
New York City is a shapeshifter, a veteran of the stage capable of dashing into the wings, changing costumes, and appearing a second later as a villain, a hero, and everything in between.