Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Oh, he for sure talks to you,” she says, giving me a knowing look. “Okay, let’s go out and go shopping. You need the perfect dress.”
“I don’t want to dress for him,” I state.
“I’m sure he doesn’t want you to dress for him either…” she pauses, and the smirk lights her eyes before she speaks again, “He probably wants you naked.” She laughs. “Come on, the place looks great. Tomorrow will be a hit. Let’s go and find something to wear.”
While I am out, I run into Morris and freeze on the spot. But as his eyes meet mine, guilt hits my stomach all over again. He stands next to a woman I recognize—she’s the one who helped me escape Cody that night. She offers me a soft smile before she whispers something to Morris and then walks off. Morris stays where he is, and I hesitantly approach him. Morris is intimidating—there is absolutely no doubt about that—and he was so angry with me.
“Lissie.”
“Morris.” He just stands there and stares at me. “How are you?” I ask, and the words hurt. How well can you be when you lose someone you love? Especially a sibling.
“Been better.” I nod and hug myself, looking down at the ground, the hurt and despair of that night hitting me in the chest. Hard. “I don’t hate you, Lissie.” His words bring my gaze back to his. “And I don’t blame you.” Something in my chest cracks, leaving a gaping wound open and bleeding. “It’s not you who did it, and it wasn’t you who told him to do it. You can’t be blamed for his actions. I was mad and hurt, but I don’t blame you,” he says, and my hands drop to my sides as I feel a tear leave my eye. I swipe it away as quickly as it was there.
“I loved her, you know.” You know comes out more like a whisper.
“I know. We all did,” he replies. “I’ll be seeing you, Lissie.” He walks past me and taps my shoulder as he goes.
And somehow, I feel lighter after talking to him.
A bit more like myself.
Chapter 48
Milo
“It’s always for her.”
Ican feel the eyes on me.
I’m used to it, to be honest.
I’ve dressed for the occasion, so all the looks I am receiving right now are warranted. It’s a black tie event, and I’m dressed in a black suit, with a black button-up and black tie. Black on black. I didn’t own a suit, but I went out and purchased one.
I got the heads up that she was attending; I was not going to attend. I get invited to all this type of shit; but I never go.
But she is coming.
So I will, too.
For her.
Morris stands next to me, dressed similarly, but he is wearing a white shirt.
I spot Lissie the minute I enter—it’s hard not to recognize beauty when you see it. Especially hers.
People talk to Lissie and constantly touch her, giving her hugs and gripping her hands to say congratulations on her house. I want to stalk over and pull her body to mine and wrap my arms around her. Instead, I stay where I am.
“Are you planning to say hello?” Morris asks. “I saw her yesterday.”
My gaze flicks to his.
“You know I don’t really blame her for what happened to Letti. I do actually like her.”
A small woman approaches us, holding out two drinks and offering them to us. “Hey, I’m Stephanie. I worked on Lissie’s house.”
“I’m—” She waves me off. “I already know who you are. Do you plan to gawk at her all night or go and say hello?”
Morris coughs, and I turn to see him covering his smile.
“She’s talking,” I reply, and she looks over her shoulder before she turns back to me.
“She looks beautiful in that dress, right? Look at that man in front of her, eyeing her. Kind of like what you’re doing right now.”
“I’ll just be…” Morris mumbles before he walks off.
“Now, Mr. Savage, I suggest you go and talk to her.” She turns and goes to the next person to mingle with them.
I grip the glass of champagne in my hand as I scan the room for Lissie. She moved, and her back is now to me as she talks to someone else. How different she is now from the quiet mouse to standing here mingling with people, and they all love her. Most know her or at least know of her. She is a hard one to miss in this town, even when she was married to that fuckhead. I stare as she flicks her hair over her shoulder before she turns around, and those eyes find me. She smiles. It’s soft, but it’s gone just as quickly as it came. Then, she turns back around to continue her conversation.
“Just tell her you love her,” Morris says, coming back beside me.