Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I say, smiling back. “Life’s been busy.”
“Want your usual?”
I nod. “That would be amazing, thanks.”
She gestures toward the pastry case. “Croissant?”
I eye the chocolate-filled one like it’s flirting with me. “You twisted my arm. I’ll take one.”
“Coming right up.”
My phone buzzes just as I pull it from my pocket.
Steele:
I’m having withdrawals. Any chance of a repeat performance tonight?
Me:
I don’t know… depends. What’s in it for me?
Steele:
Me. Naked and grateful while worshipping every inch of you.
My lips twitch. I can practically hear his cajoling tone.
Me:
Tempting. But I’m gonna need a better sales pitch.
Steele:
I’ll even feed you after. You like blueberry pancakes, right?
Me:
Are you trying to seduce me with carbs?
Steele:
I’m trying to seduce you, period. Where are you?
Me:
How do you know I’m not at the penthouse?
Steele:
Because I may or may not be tracking your location.
My heart skips a beat at that admittance as I type out a response.
Me:
Umm, excuse me?
Steele:
Relax. It’s purely protective. You’re everything to me, lucky charm.
My fingers hover over the keyboard for a beat too long.
This man.
Me:
Okay.
Steele:
So… you didn’t answer my question. Where are you?
I hesitate for half a second.
Me:
Out getting coffee.
Technically, it’s not a lie.
Steele:
You do know there’s coffee at the penthouse, right? Like, a whole bag of your favorite beans?
Me:
Sometimes a girl needs a change of scenery.
Steele:
You sure it’s not that you’re already missing me?
Me:
Don’t start, Sanderson.
Steele:
Too late. We both know you’re my favorite person to mess with.
Me:
What an honor.
Steele:
You should feel honored. So… are you alone?
Me:
Yes, Dad. Just grabbing a latte. No strange men have abducted me. Yet.
Steele:
Mmm. I don’t know. I might need proof of life. Selfie?
Me:
Hard pass.
Steele:
One little pic. Humor me.
Me:
You’re ridiculous.
Steele:
Still waiting…
Me:
Not happening.
Steele:
Fine. But if you’re not back in 20 minutes, I’m sending out a search party.
Me:
You’re at practice. Maybe you should focus on that.
Steele:
Doesn’t mean I can’t multitask. Also doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about you with your legs over my shoulders.
My entire body heats as I press my thighs together and shoot him a glare he can’t see.
Me:
Steele.
Steele:
What? You started it with the “what’s in it for me” comment.
Me:
You’re the worst.
Steele:
Liar. I’m the best.
Me:
Keep dreaming.
Steele:
Only about you.
I inhale as my heart rate kicks up. His words are always half a joke, half a dare, but there’s something about them that slides under my skin and stays there.
Steele:
Anyway. Repeat of last night is still on the table. And maybe dinner too.
Me:
Free food?
Steele:
The way to your heart, I know. That’s my girl.
I swallow.
Hard.
His girl.
Is that what I am now?
The barista slides my latte and croissant onto the counter with a smile. “Chocolate’s still warm. Want a bag?”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
“That’ll be thirteen dollars,” she says.
I slip my phone into my purse and start digging for my wallet when a voice cuts through the air, familiar enough to stop me cold.
“I’ve got it.”
My entire body locks up as I lift my head and turn to find Devon behind me. He looks the same as ever. Polished. Perfect. Not a hair out of place. What strikes me most is how relaxed he seems. Lighter. The lines that used to crease his forehead have eased, and there’s a glow to his skin along with a glint in his eyes.
He looks… happy.
And for some reason, that lands like a sucker punch straight to my gut.
I clutch the strap of my bag. “That’s not necessary.”
“Come on, Lilah. Let me buy you a cup of coffee.”
Before I can argue, he passes a twenty across the counter.
The barista smiles as she rings it up. “You two were always one of my favorite couples. Nice to see you’re still going strong.”
I force a tight smile as Devon mirrors it.
Neither of us correct her.
I take a step back, coffee in hand, hoping to escape the awkwardness. “Well. Thanks again.”
“I assume Ashley reached out to you?”
I nod. “Yes, she did.”
His mouth tightens. “I told her to just mail your stuff. It would’ve been easier.”
Of course he did.
“I didn’t mind,” I say. “It was on my way.”
He studies me for a beat, head tilted like he’s trying to figure me out all over again. “You look good, Lilah.”
I stiffen. “So do you. You look happy.”
He hesitates. And then, with the kind of ease that still manages to sting, he says, “I am.”
The words settle heavy in my heart.
I could walk away right now and let that be the end of this conversation.
But I don’t. If I’m going to fully close this chapter, I need to understand how it ended in the first place.
“Why?”
Devon frowns. “Why what?”
“Why weren’t you content with me?” I step closer, trying to keep my voice steady. “Why did you say you didn’t want kids for five years and now you’re having one with someone else?”
His jaw works as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “I don’t know,” he says finally. “Being with you… It always felt like something I should do. Not something I actually wanted to do.”