Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
She nodded, understanding him better now. “So, you were inspired by their story and that’s why you support this program, right?”
“Yeah. Luke’s stuck with me, so when I started making money, I made sure to put some of it toward worthy causes. Feeding the hungry, assistance for needy families, and the dance studio’s program for underprivileged youth.”
Her heart warmed at his generosity. “Did Leslie ever get the chance to dance?” she asked.
He grinned. “She actually runs the program. I’m still friends with Luke, who is living out his dream as a neurosurgeon. When he told me about Leslie’s work, I knew I had to be involved in some way. She’s been able to grow the program exponentially since I started donating.”
They were at a stoplight, and she couldn’t resist leaning over, placing a hand on his jaw and turning his face to hers before giving him a light kiss that quickly deepened.
His story made her heart swell with affection. She’d noticed that he could be a little grumpy sometimes, but she was starting to get glimpses of a softer, more thoughtful side of Leo Watson. And she felt something bigger growing between them.
A car honked behind them, and he ended the kiss.
Leo began driving, a smirk on his face. “I was going to take you home, sweetheart, but what do you say about checking out that view I was telling about last night?”
This time, she had no qualms about saying yes.
Chapter Seven
Cammie walked into Leo’s apartment, her blue eyes darting everywhere, taking in the open concept kitchen and living room, along with the oak flooring and off-white walls that brightened the space. In contrast, he’d chosen a brown suede sectional couch and black kitchen cabinets. There wasn’t a lot of color in the apartment, just clean lines and neutral shades.
But the view was killer, just as he promised and her gaze locked on the floor-to-ceiling windows as she walked farther into the apartment. Stepping over to the glass, she stared out at the incredible view of Central Park and the vista of the city skyline, lit by lights on the tall buildings and streetlamps below.
Leo went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “Can I offer you a drink? It’s a little late for coffee, which I know we both like, and I know wine isn’t your thing. That leaves…” his eyes scanned the contents of his fridge, “bottled water or cola.”
“I’ll take the soda,” she said, coming into the kitchen and leaning against the island, her elbows on the white granite countertop.
He set the drink in front of her and pulled out a bottle of water for himself.
“This is a nice place you have,” she said, and Leo frowned as he picked up on a negative note in her voice.
He glanced around but nothing was out of place, his housekeeper efficient as usual. “But?” he asked.
“It’s just that there’s no Christmas tree.” Her lips formed a pout. “No decorations of any kind.”
“You noticed that, huh? And what about your place? Is it a winter wonderland?”
Her small grin told him he was on the right track with his guess. “I don’t usually decorate for the holidays. It seems a bit pointless to me. I don’t entertain, so why would I go to the effort of putting up a tree just for myself?” He shrugged. “Besides, my parents will have their ten-foot tree up when I go there on Christmas Day, so I’m not missing out.”
Her narrowed gaze said she didn’t agree.
“Do you spend Christmas with your family?” he asked.
Sadness seeped into her expressive eyes, and he immediately regretted the question.
“Um, no. I don’t have any family. It was always just me and my mom, but she’s been gone for two years now.”
Ah, shit. Leo reached across the island and took her hand. Her skin was soft and warm, and he had the urge to pull her into his arms and offer comfort. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. What happened?”
She glanced down. “Brain cancer. Inoperable. We found out when I was about to start my last year at NYU. That’s why I don’t have my degree in graphic design. I dropped out to take care of her.”
That made sense. He’d wondered what happened to make her not finish. Especially since she was so passionate about it.
His heart broke for her as he imagined her giving up on her dream in order to be with her sick mother. “That must’ve been a tough decision,” he said.
“Not really,” Cammie said, flipping her hand over and interlacing their fingers. “She was my mom. I would have done anything for her. I admit it wasn’t easy. I had about ten months with her after the diagnosis, and I’m grateful for the time, but seeing her so sick was… hard.”
Leo couldn’t stand having the kitchen island between them, not while she was talking about her pain with a shaky voice and eyes shining with grief.