Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“I don’t care if he does. My son is being a stubborn old goat if I’ve ever seen one. I want to see you happy.
“Trevor Monroe makes you happy. I know that. Your mama knows that, and his mama knows that. Gloria has already purchased you a wedding gift.”
“Really?” I say and begin to squirm in my seat.
I wonder if I’m chasing a pipe dream. Maybe I should be here planning my wedding to the man who asked me to be his wife. I love Trev and I miss him so much.
Nanna covers my hand with a knowing look on her face. “Yes, she did, but don’t let that rush you. You two have plenty of time to get there. Nothing needs to be rushed.”
She pats my hand and gives me a bright smile. I squelch the panic that begins to rise. I know our moms are pulling for us, but I still don’t know if I’m ready. I don’t want to rush into anything and have it blow up in our faces in a year or two.
“Thanks, Nanna. You always know just what to say.”
“You’re welcome, Babycakes. Now tell me all about New York and this big fancy record contract you’ve got going.”
“Ugh, I don’t know about big and fancy. I’ve been in limbo for months. I hate all the waiting. I do a song and we wait.
“I rerecord that song the way they ask me to and we wait some more. I’m starting to think Elise is right. They don’t know what to do with me.”
“And Nashville didn’t work out?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Daddy didn’t like something about it. Someone or something rubbed him the wrong way. My gut told me to follow his instincts on that one.”
“Stubborn as all get-out, but his instincts have always been sharp.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“He’s not using his instincts with Trev, Cakes. He’s using his broken heart.”
“Yeah, I know that too.”
CHAPTER 41
Friendly Advice
Lynn
I knit my brows as I stare at Cody. He’s watching Elise as she makes her way to the restroom. When she’s out of sight, he turns to me quickly.
“I want to ask you something,” he rushes out.
“Okay.”
“I… I sort of got Elise a Christmas gift. She’s been so much fun to hang out with. I wanted to give her something that says… you know. ‘Thanks for being my holiday roommate,’ but also, ‘Um, hey. I… I like you a lot and I want to do all the things we’ve been doing as a group but as a couple.’ Would you mind giving me your opinion?”
I chew on my lip. Elise likes Cody, but there’s a little problem. Her family wouldn’t approve.
That’s why she asked me to come on this date with them. She’s too embarrassed to tell Cody why she always invites me along when he asks her out. She sort of fell for him over Thanksgiving break.
“What? What’s wrong?” he asks nervously.
I shake my head. “It’s nothing. Show me what you got for her,” I say.
He wipes a hand across his forehead then looks toward the restrooms before hurriedly pulling out a small jewelry box. My heart leaps into my throat. Elise isn’t ready for…
“Oh, it’s earrings,” I say as I release a breath.
“You hate them.”
“No, no. Those are gorgeous. She’s going to love them. Do you plan to give them to her before you guys head back to New York?”
“I was thinking of giving them to her on the flight. My boss is sending his private jet for me. I want to impress her.”
Cody didn’t want to totally miss both Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family. He was able to get away for a few days, but he’ll have to return just before Christmas. Elise tagged along because she didn’t feel comfortable staying in the apartment alone, no matter how much Cody told her it was fine.
“You’re such a nice guy, Cody. I wish you guys all the best. Give them to her. I think she’ll love them.”
“Yeah?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
He leans across the table and pulls me into a hug. I give him a squeeze and pull away as I see Elise step from the bathroom and begin to make her way back to us.
Trevor
I’ve been in such a good mood since talking to Lynn earlier. I can’t wait until Saturday to see her. I’m not going to lie. I hope I get to pull her aside to kiss her lips and hold her in my arms, if even for a single moment.
“You’re walking like your ass is on fire,” I tease Tom.
“It’s the holidays. The bar will be filled with girls who aren’t from around here. I want to get there before all the prime choices are snatched up,” he replies.
I shake my head and Cliff scoffs on my other side. Tom has been single for a while. I can’t begrudge him for wanting to hook up. Hell, I haven’t had sex since the last time I was with Lynn at the house.