Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
We kiss for so long that I have no idea what time it is when Bailey breaks away. She rests her hand on my chest as she breathes heavy, and I smile at her, doing the same. The two of us together are like gasoline and fire. It’s explosive in every sense of the word, and I don’t want to try to control it.
“I just need to say something before I tell you goodnight,” Bailey says, suddenly serious.
“Okay, if we’re going too fast or something I can slow down.”
“No, that’s not it.” She smiles and shakes her head. “Definitely not that. I just want to be sure that this is serious for you before we go any further.” There’s vulnerability in her eyes, and I understand why she’s saying this. “We had such a great time tonight. I haven’t seen Hazel that happy in a long time. But I can’t break her heart if this goes south. You might not have signed up for me plus one, but she’ll be with me forever. She’ll always live with me, she’ll always be my responsibility, and I’m not saying that for sympathy. I’m saying it because you need to decide if this is what you want.”
I take a breath and then hold her face with both my hands. “Bailey, this is serious for me. I’m in this one hundred percent. I’ve never felt this way before, so I don’t know if I’m doing this right, but this is it for me. I understand what she means to you, and I wouldn’t ever take that away. We don’t have to decide everything right this second, but if you want to, I can. I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll take as much of the both of you as you’re willing to give.”
Her eyes tear up and she smiles so sweetly at me.
“I want the whole package, Bailey. That’s what I’m after.”
She kisses me softly, and this time the kiss is so much more than it was before. Yes, there’s still passion and desire, but it’s deeper. The feelings that I have for her have come so fast, but that doesn’t make them any less real.
She gets out of the car and walks into her house, and she gives me one last look before she closes the door. In that moment, I want nothing more than to follow her in and hold her while she sleeps. But I’ll just have to count down the hours until I can see her again.
Chapter 7
Bailey
Chapter 7 Bailey
“When is Shawn going to be here?” Hazel asks.
If she didn't already like Shawn, he put her over the moon yesterday when he showed up for Sunday Funday, where she proceeded to introduce him to every animal on the farm. That was after she devoured the chocolate sprinkle donuts he brought over for breakfast.
We spent the whole day together and it was perfect. More than perfect. I need to remember to take down the handyman flyer I put up at work, because after lunch Shawn fixed all the things on that list that I’d needed taken care of. Hazel was his helper and she loved every second of it. The two of them clicked so well together. Watching them, you’d think they’ve known each other for years.
“I’m sure any second,” I tell her as I brush out my hair and take one last look in the mirror. My stomach is already full of butterflies about getting to see Shawn again. It was hard when he left each night, but as soon as I lay down for bed he called me. Three nights in a row we’ve talked for hours. How could I know someone for such a short amount of time but feel like I know so much about them?
“I hear him,” Hazel squeals, and it makes me laugh.
I grab her backpack off the sofa along with my purse and we walk out of the house. Shawn is getting out of his car, but my eyes go to a black SUV that’s sitting in my driveway. Shawn doesn’t notice as he’s busy giving Hazel a hug.
“You get to drop me off at school,” she tells him.
“I sure do.” He holds her hand for a second until she pulls away to go look at the new car. “Before you say no, just know I own a handful of cars and I’m not going to miss having this one in my garage.”
“Is that for us?” Hazel’s eyes are filled with excitement.
I stare in shock, unsure what to say. It’s too much and I know I should tell him no.
“Really, babe, it’s no big deal.” He walks over towards me and cups my face so I have to look up at him. “It’s safe, and yours cost more to fix than it's even worth. I don’t like you and Hazel being without a car.” My eyes begin to water. “Don’t even think about crying.”