Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
“You think I could sell it?” Jacob asks and holds my gaze as he lifts his cup.
“I’d have to read it first,” I answer honestly, even though I know a happily ever after sells better. That doesn’t mean there can’t be another romance thread added in somewhere. It’s not like his story is over. His eyes catch mine and it’s as if he knows exactly what I was just thinking … about another romance thread.
“I’m still in the process of writing it. I think the story is going well, though,” he says and every inch of my skin catches on fire. It’s the way he looks at me. How his stare holds me captive and the tone of his lowered voice makes my blood race. The air crackles between us and with that, I need to get out of here. Quickly, before this conversation turns into something else.
“Send me the first few chapters?” I ask him and then reach for my purse. “Sorry, but I have to get going. I didn’t think our meeting would last this long.”
He half smiles at me as he says, “Okay then.” He says it like he knows I’m lying, but more than that, like it amuses him.
I take out my wallet, but Jacob stops me. “Don’t even think about paying.”
“Are you sure?”
“You can get the next one if you really want to, but this one is on me.”
I give him a tight smile, although I’m grateful. Truly I am. Even if his intentions are less than pure.
I can only nod then make my way out. It’s all too much. Separation, pregnancy. Now Evan’s in jail. I can’t take how quickly my life is unraveling.
“Hey, Kat,” Jake says from behind me as I push the door open and the bells ring. I turn to look back at him.
“It’s going to be okay,” he reassures me and I say thanks, although it’s so softly spoken I don’t think he could have possibly heard it.
I have to leave. That’s the only thing on my mind because I’m so broken that the words it’s going to be okay are my undoing.
Chapter 4
Evan
The worst sound in the world to me is the muffled sobs of my wife crying.
And the worst sight I could ever imagine is her bundled in a ball on the kitchen floor, whimpering against the cabinets. Her shoulders heave as she lets out another wretched sob and it makes me feel that much worse.
I didn’t know it could get any lower than this.
“Kat.” Her name is a gentle murmur from my lips, nearly a plea for her to stop. She’s crying so hard, lost in the sadness, that she didn’t hear me come in. My voice startles her and she jumps back slightly, causing the cabinet door to rattle.
Her lips part slightly, but she doesn’t say anything. Instead it appears she’s holding her breath.
“What’s wrong?” I ask and the second the question is uttered, I hate myself. It’s obviously me. I did this. “What can I—”
“Nothing,” she answers curtly, cutting me off, more embarrassment and shame present in her tone than the anger I’d anticipated. “I’m fine.” She uses the sleeve of her shirt to wipe at her face, leaving her tearstained cheeks bright pink.
“You aren’t fine.”
“I’ll be fine,” she says, and her tone is harsher this time. “I don’t want to cry in front of you,” she adds with sincerity. I know the comment isn’t intended to hurt me as I walk deeper into the kitchen. Kat’s just being honest.
“That’s what I’m here for,” I tell her and then feel like an asshole. I haven’t been here in days. I can see Kat’s lips part with some sarcastic response, so I’m quick with my next words. “I know we’re going through some shit and I’m not making things any better. But I’m here now.”
She doesn’t respond as she pushes her hair out of her face and visibly focuses on calming herself down. Glancing up at me only causes her expression to crumple as if she’ll start crying again. She rips away her gaze and silence separates us.
I can’t help but notice the curve of her shoulders and the way her breasts move as she steadies her breathing. My body is ringing with the need to touch her. The need to make her pain go away. “Whatever it is,” I say, “it’s going to be okay.” I don’t know how many nights I’ve told her that.
And it’s always been true. “We’ll get through this.”
“I’m crying because of you!” she screams at me and angrily brushes away her tears.
“I’m sorry, but I promise, it’s not what you think.”
She only huffs in disbelief and shakes her head, refusing to look at me. My blood turns cold and I struggle to breathe, but still I walk toward her. Every step is careful and cautious. I just want to hold her. I want to fix this more than anything.