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)
Like Camilo.
This time, I don’t cringe.
My flesh heats and my heart sputters to life. Our connection was different than the other Funky Flyers. It was electric. Fire. An explosion. Seeing David and feeling nothing but irritation has made me realize the difference.
I really, really liked being with Camilo.
Tears spring in my eyes and I quickly blink them away. I’d tried not to bother my friends, but I need them. I use the FaceTime app and call Estefania.
She answers, dressed in full, beautiful makeup. People are spritzing perfume on her, fluffing her hair, and applying more makeup. All at once.
“Oh,” I groan. “I’m so sorry. This is a bad time.”
“Never a bad time to talk to my best friend, Sherrie-dan!” Her smile is broad and happy, making my heart skip a few beats.
“Are you sure?”
“You’re on in five,” someone warns.
“Positive,” she tells me in a fierce tone that makes me so damn proud of her. “They can wait. Family emergency.” She shoos them all from the room and then her eyes soften. “Are you okay?”
“I miss you,” I blurt out.
She smiles. “I miss you too, Sherrie-dan.”
“And Damian,” we both say before laughing.
“Hold on,” she tells me. “I’ll get him on.”
Seconds later, she mashes a button and his face appears. We all squeal and giggle and cry for a good solid minute. I’m thankful Estefania has people to fix her back up because her black makeup is a mess.
“It’s so good to see you two,” I manage to choke out. “Look at you both.”
Damian preens and Estefania grins.
I imagine spending more time with them. Lots of it. It makes my heart sing. After Sheridan has different hopes and dreams than Before Sheridan.
“Uh-oh,” Damian sings. “Princess has that evil villain look in her eye.”
“I don’t have an evil villain look,” I argue.
“You do,” Estefania throws back, giggling. “Right now.”
“I’ll inform you two that it’s my look of determination. It’s my ‘get shit done’ look. I had an idea.”
“Does it involve naked pilots with hot asses and tequila?” Damian demands. “Because, if not, I’m not interested.”
I roll my eyes. “It involves brunch tomorrow with your two besties. Can you handle that?”
“Ehh, I guess,” Damian teases.
“He’s already penciling it in his calendar,” Kyle tattles in the background. “Don’t let him fool you.”
“Bring the handsomest man on the planet with you,” Estefania tells Damian.
“I beg your pardon, missy,” Damian argues. “I am the handsomest man. Kyle is just okay.”
Kyle peeks his head on the screen. “Hey, babe,” he says to Estefania. “Hey, Sheridan.”
Estefania blows him kisses and I just grin. I missed these people so much. Giving them up wasn’t something I was prepared for. Just like with Momma.
But, unlike with Momma, this time I have a choice.
And just like any business deal I set my sights on, I’m going to fight to have these people in my life. I won’t stop until I win. It’s the Reid way.
“You’re different,” Mona says, her blue eyes twinkling. Marriage looks good on her. On them both. She and Daddy seem younger since tying the knot. I’m happy for them.
“So are you,” I challenge.
She smirks and sips her wine. “Love will do that to you. What about you? You have that look in your eye.”
I scoff and sip my Hennessy jalapiña. The spice of the jalapeno is offset by the tang of the pineapple juice. It reminds me of Camilo. Everything reminds me of Camilo. “I don’t have a look.”
“Honey, I may be old, but I wasn’t born yesterday.” She arches a brow and leans forward. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
At this, I frown. It should be obvious it’s David. I’m pretty sure everyone up at the office—even Daddy—knows I have been following David around like a lost puppy since puberty.
“David?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t lie, Sheridan, you always make a sour face when you do.”
“I’m not lying,” I say in a shrill tone. “I’m not.”
Her gaze softens as she reaches over to pat my hand. “You are. I know I’m not your mother, but I’ve been with your father a long time. I know you.”
I try not to bristle at the mention of Momma. “Who else could I possibly be in love with?”
“You tell me,” she says with a grin.
“It’s David.” I cross my arms over my chest, daring her to argue.
“David’s an old fuddy duddy. You’re in love with the idea of David.” She narrows her eyes. “No, you fell in love this week. I want to know all about him.”
I gape at her. Am I that transparent? I’d been pretty sure I covered the hickeys. “Who?”
“The one who has you smiling when no one is looking. The one who has the strongest girl I know frazzled and showing us that she’s human under her rock-hard façade. The one who you can’t stop thinking about.”
“Mona…”
“Sheridan.”
“Ugh,” I grumble, darting my attention to the balcony where Daddy and David are smoking a cigar. “Fine. His name is Camilo.”