Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 74882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
His dark eyebrow arches up. “Nice. That it?”
“Yep.”
He steps closer until his chest brushes mine. “I thought it was far better than nice. Fucking amazing. Especially all the parts I spent alone with you.”
My skin heats at his words. “Yeah, it was fucking amazing.”
“Sher…” He trails off, his lips lowering to mine. “I hope you find happiness.”
“Me too,” I whisper.
His lips press to mine in the softest, sweetest farewell kiss. He strokes his fingers through my hair and then lets out a resigned sigh.
“Goodbye, stranger.”
I smile, thinking about the song and all the Funky Flyers singing it. “Goodbye, bird boy.”
As soon as we part ways, the tears threaten. Everything blurs. My heart is in my throat. I crave to run back to him and beg him to help me figure out a way for us to spend more time together. Instead, I keep walking. With every step, I try like hell to lift my chin and remember I’m a badass female who can handle anything. Even walking away from the man who’s made her feel more alive than she ever has in her life.
I’m so lost in Camilo thoughts that I almost slam into a guy with a camera. Lots of them in fact. Holy shit. Why are there so many people here? They’re screaming. Actually screaming. I’d panic thinking we were under attack, except they’re all screaming the same thing.
Estefania.
Estefania.
Estefania.
A huge guy dressed all in black sidles up next to me. “Miss Villegas asked for me to escort you through the crowd.” I barely get out a confirmation before he’s all but dragging me through the crazies. They’re all screaming and crying. Crying! Several are throwing roses and stuffed animals toward the area I must assume Estefania went. Holy shit. I didn’t realize how famous she was in Costa Rica.
The man in black manages to get us to another area where several more security guys crowd around my friend. Her normally carefree smile is gone as she frowns. She seems so overwhelmed and sad. It breaks my heart for her.
I shove past the guys and thankfully they let me. When I reach her, I hug her tight. She squeezes me like I’m her best friend—her only friend. I know that feeling. All too soon, we’re being broken apart.
I didn’t tell her goodbye.
I didn’t tell her she’s the best chick I know.
I’m trembling as I get escorted down a hallway away from the crying people. I realize I have no idea where my bags are. A security guy is carrying them behind me as another guy guides me away. They push through a set of double doors and I’m blinded by the afternoon sun. There’s a limo waiting. As soon as the door opens and I sit down inside, I nearly start sobbing.
“Daddy!”
He pulls me to him, stroking my hair. “There’s my girl. Missed you, Sher Bear.”
I can’t stop crying. I’m relieved to see him. Sad my week with my friends and lover is over. Devastated he had to postpone his wedding for me. Exhausted. I just need my dad to hug me and make it all better again.
And he does.
The entire drive to the five-star hotel near Arenal Volcano is spent crying into my dad’s chest.
“I missed you too,” a deep voice says from the limo.
I freeze and pull away from Daddy. David sits across from us looking like a man of leisure in his blue polo shirt, khaki shorts, and loafers. And his face…oh my God.
“Why do you have a black eye?” I ask in way of greeting.
He shrugs, a sheepish grin on his face. “Boys will be boys, you know?”
Daddy grunts at that but doesn’t say much more on the matter.
Well, then.
I’m going to get to the bottom of this.
Chapter 20
Camilo
Three days later…
I’m going crazy.
My life has been off its axis since Dad had his stroke, but now it’s tilting so much, I feel like puking. Sheridan. She did this. Shoved my world just enough, it’s spinning hard and I can’t regain control of it.
Even though I just spent too much time with my good friend Carson, I need to talk to him. Luckily, when I texted him, he invited me over for dinner. We both live in Boca where my two-bedroom condo is located not too far from his ranch style home. At one time, Dad stayed with me, but now he’s an official resident of Boca Dunes Nursing Home.
I park my Tahoe in Carson’s driveway. Before I can get the engine shut off, a little person tears out of the house right for me. Carson and Krissy’s son Brennan jumps onto the running boards of my vehicle and presses his nose against the window.
“Mr. Z!”
His blue eyes are wide and his dark hair is messy. Cutest damn kid ever. Acts just like his daddy too. Poor Krissy.