Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
“I’m good.”
It’s both true and it’s not. Not remembering what happened to me bothers me more than I’m admitting to anyone.
No, that’s an understatement.
It’s driving me insane.
I’m paranoid, constantly looking over my shoulder. But Dr. Chad is helping a lot, and I’m trying to be patient. I’m trying to focus on everything beautiful in my life and all the gifts I’m grateful for. And I’m trying not to think too much about the conclusion I came to when Dante took me to the guesthouse.
“Just good?” she asks with caution.
“Great.” I put on a happy expression. “Dante is wonderful. He’s very considerate and sweet.”
“Is he?”
Is it me, or did she say that as if she doesn’t believe me? “Always.”
Her eyes light up. “How’s Noah?”
I make a puppy face. “I’m besotted with that child. He’s so happy, Jazz.”
Her face softens. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Dante got him a dog.” I avert my eyes, not wanting to admit why we adopted the pet. “Noah is completely taken with Flash. They’re inseparable.”
“That’s great.” Her look turns a little wistful. “Noah deserves all that happiness. Why didn’t you bring him?”
I laugh. “I wanted to, but he insisted on staying with Flash. Emily offered to look after him so that I could enjoy some quality time with you.”
Jazz’s expression shifts. “When is Emily going back to the condo?”
“I told her there was no rush.”
Her mouth pulls down.
“What?” I watch her closely. “Don’t you like her?”
“Just be careful, Tiana. Don’t place too much trust in Emily’s loyalty.”
“She’s good with Noah.”
“I don’t doubt that.” Jazz hesitates. “I’m just saying she has two bosses, you and Dante, and if she has to choose, it won’t be you.”
That’s harsh. “Emily is like family. She’s been with us for just about forever.”
Jazz’s mood seems to blacken. “All the more reason why you should be careful. It hurts when people you trust betray you, and we both know how fickle people can be.”
Trying to pull her out of her morbid state, I change the subject. “We don’t see each other enough. We should do lunch more often.”
Picking up her glass, she holds it out for a toast. “I’ll drink to that.”
“To the best friend in the world,” I say just as the waiter arrives with our food.
For the rest of the meal, we talk about her roommate who decided to move out and her quest to find one who’s not allergic to cleaning.
When we hug each other after lunch, I’m not ready to say goodbye to my friend.
“Promise me you’ll come visit us,” I urge.
“Sure.” She adds with sarcasm, “If Reino isn’t there.”
All the way home, I think about what she told me. Reino is playing with Noah and Flash in the backyard when I arrive at the house. They’re throwing a ball for Flash and teaching him tricks.
I go over and kiss Noah’s cheek. “Did you miss me?”
“Look, Mommy! Flash already knows how to sit.” He points a finger at Flash and says in a serious tone, “Sit, Flash.”
Flash sits down and looks expectantly at Noah.
Noah takes a treat from his pocket. “Good boy.” He holds out the treat. “Gently. Don’t bite my fingers.”
Flash takes the treat from Noah’s hand carefully.
Kent trained him well. I feel terrible about the whole business with Kent. Poor Flash. He must miss his owner. I only hope we can fill that hole for him.
Reino comes over and brushes a hand over Noah’s head. “You’re a natural. Tomorrow, we’ll go out for a walk. You can hold the leash.”
Noah expresses his excitement by jumping up and down.
Reino glances at me. “If that’s all right with you, Mrs. Morici. It’s important that he learns how to handle his dog at home and between people and traffic.”
“I’m not sure Dante will allow that.”
“It was Mr. Morici’s idea. He’ll take Noah himself. I’m just going along as backup.”
As a bodyguard, he means. I’m sure another six will follow.
“We’ll stay in the neighborhood,” he continues.
“I think we should practice in the park first, but I’ll take it up with Dante.” I look at Noah, who’s throwing a ball for Flash to fetch. “Can we have a word in private?”
Reino indicates the deck from where we have a view of Noah.
We’re out of earshot next to the pool, but I lower my voice just in case. “Did you threaten a director to give Jazz the leading role in Chicago?”
The look that comes over his face gives me my answer.
“Reino! How could you?”
He scrubs a hand over his face. “How did she find out?”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that she’s devastated.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“What you did was wrong in so many ways. She had to pull out without giving them a reason. You might’ve just ended her career.”
His jaw flexes. “Not if I have a say in it.”
“You’ve meddled enough. I don’t know why you did what you did, but don’t make it worse. It will be better if you stay away from my friend.”