Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Together, we make our way downstairs, and Will heads for the pizza box.
“I can get that. You’ve done so much for us tonight.”
“It’s no trouble. Where do you want it?”
“Oh, I’ll take it out to the garage.” I reach for the box, but he steps back out of reach.
“I’ll take it. Do you have anything else that needs to go out?”
“N-No.”
“I’ll be right back.” He moves toward the door that leads into the garage. I hear him remove the trash can lid, then return before the door clicks shut. “Thank you for the company. It was nice.”
“It was. Thank you for dinner, and for rescuing us.” I take a step toward him. “It meant a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome. Do you have anywhere you need to go tomorrow?”
“Oh, uh, not that I can think of.”
“What about Monday?”
“I work on Monday. I’m a nine-to-five girl, but my hours are flexible, which is great for a single mom.”
He nods. “How far away is Mia’s day care?”
“It’s a block away from work.”
Another nod as he raises his hand to run it over his beard. “Good. I’ll be here Monday around seven-thirty. We’ll drop off Mia, and then I’ll take you to work.”
“I can call an Uber.”
“Yeah, you could, but why would you when you have me? You girls don’t need to be driving around with a stranger. Besides, I still have the base of her car seat in my truck.”
“I have an extra. It came with two.”
“Mandy.” He sighs and takes a step closer. When he lifts his hand, I hold my breath as he tucks my hair behind my ear. “Let me help you.”
“I’m afraid.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“That leaning on someone will make me weak. I have to be strong for her. I’m all she has.”
“That’s not true. She has Bellamy, Reid, Coral, Candice, Cliff, me, and a good portion of my offensive line and their families. You’re not alone, Mandy. Lean on us. Lean on me.”
“Okay,” I whisper, the words thick with emotion.
“Come here.” He pulls me into his strong arms, and I don’t hesitate to return his embrace. It’s exactly what I needed in this moment. I feel his lips press against my head before I force myself to step back. “I’ll be here Monday bright and early. You have my number, right?”
“I think so.”
“Grab your cell and make sure you still have it. I still have yours. I’ll call to see if you need anything on my way into the office tomorrow, and on my way home. We’re not meeting until noon.”
Stepping around the couch, I grab my phone from the coffee table and pull up my contacts, finding his name. I quickly type out a text.
Me: It’s Amanda.
* * *
His phone beeps, and he grins. “Good. Now, if you need me or need to go anywhere, you call me.”
“Thank you, Will.”
“Anytime. Lock up behind me,” he says, moving toward the door. With one last look and a wave, he’s gone.
I do as he says and lock up before moving to the couch and plopping down. What a long, weird, and unexpectedly good day. My phone beeps, and I smile, expecting it to be Will asking if I locked up, but it’s Bellamy. Guilt sits heavy on my chest. I just spent the evening with her dad and more than once thought about how hot he is. Some best friend I am.
* * *
Bellamy: Hey, just checking in. Are you doing okay? Dad said he got you home and settled.
Me: I’m good. Just a long day.
Bellamy: I know you, Manda, and I know you’re feeling guilty about calling. Stop it.
* * *
She follows it up with a string of laughing emojis.
Me: Love you, bestie.
Bellamy: Love you, too.
* * *
I’m just about to set my phone down when it rings. I don’t bother looking at the screen. “Miss me?” I answer with a laugh.
“Actually, yes, I don’t like talking to myself,” a deep, gruff voice answers.
Shit. Pulling the phone away from my ear, I see Will’s name. I recognized the voice, but I needed confirmation.
“Sorry, I was just texting with Bellamy. I assumed you were her.”
“No worries. Hey, listen, change of plans. What time are you going to bed?”
“Uh, I don’t know, why?”
“I’m going to bring you my SUV. I don’t like the thought of you and Mia being there alone without transportation. What if something happens?”
“Nothing will happen,” I assure him.
“I don’t like it. I already called Baker. He’s going to meet me at my place and follow me back to yours and then bring me back home.”
“Camden’s not feeling well. He doesn’t need to do that. You don’t need to do that. We’ll be fine.”
“It’s done, and he said Cam is feeling better, and Sloane said they need milk, so he was going out anyway. I’ll make sure her base is installed, and I’ll bring you the key if you’ll be up?”