Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
I want it to be as low key as possible.
“You know why I don’t want to,” I reply. “We’ve been over this.”
She sighs, watching me.
“Mom, I need you to know that once this show is over, I’m going back to Montana.”
I already have my travel plans in order, I’ve alerted Bishop so he can arrange the detail accordingly, and I’ve packed up everything I want to take from my apartment.
I’m going home.
Her eyebrow climbs and her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t interrupt me, which honestly shocks the hell out of me.
“I’m proud of you, Mom. I know that I’ve never told you that before, but I am. You chose this life for all of us. You’ve been a good president. But I don’t want this life for myself, and I don’t have to choose it.”
“Lena,” she says with a sigh. “You would make an excellent First Lady. Howey plans to go into politics. You know what it takes—”
“Absolutely not.” I shake my head adamantly. “I would never choose to marry a politician. Never. That’s not the life for me. I can’t wait for your term to end so I don’t have to have Secret Service anymore. I want Gideon, Mom. I love him with my whole heart, and being away from him for two months has only reiterated that for me. I choose him, and the life on the ranch.”
She slowly shakes her head and takes a deep breath.
“Of course, I only want what’s best for you. I’m a shit parent, Lena. We all know it. I’ve never denied it. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t love you and want wonderful things for you.”
“Wonderful things doesn’t have to mean the life you would choose,” I remind her. I’ve never been this frank with my mother, and it’s only because of Gideon, and how he’s empowered me, made me feel loved, that I’m able to stand up to her now. I know what I want, and I’m going to make sure my mother knows it too. “I’m taking happiness in both hands and holding on tight. Because let’s be honest, Mom, there hasn’t been a whole lot of that in my life. My own best friend betrayed me so horribly, she was willing to get me killed.”
Mom swallows hard, but I keep talking.
“Gideon is my happiness. I love him. And it honestly pisses me off that you gave him orders to stay away from me.”
“I was terrified,” she admits, sitting back in her chair. “You’d been in harm’s way, and I needed to blame someone.”
“It wasn’t his fault.”
“He was hired to protect you, Lena, not fuck you and fall in love with you.”
I recoil at the harsh words, scowling at her. “Don’t demean what I have with that man.”
God, I hope I still have it.
“It’s the truth.” She shrugs a shoulder. “However, with some time to calm down, I can see that you love him. He loves you too. So if the two of you can make it work, I won’t do anything to stop you.”
I blink at her in surprise. I expected much more of a fight over this.
“You’re giving us your blessing?”
“I’m shocked too.” She finishes her coffee. “Now, good luck tonight. Call me tomorrow and tell me all about it.”
“Okay. Thanks, Mom.”
I’ve never been so nervous in my life.
No one knows it’s my work.
No one will be looking at me, judging me. As far as anyone else is concerned, this artist can’t attend tonight.
I’m just here as an art lover.
“I hope you enjoy the showing.” Kylie, the owner of the gallery, winks at me. “I think it’s extra special. You look stunning, by the way.”
I glance down at the red dress I chose for tonight. It fits me like a second skin, and makes me feel beautiful. Maybe no one knows that I’m the artist, but I still wanted to feel special for tonight.
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.” My smile is shaky at best, and Kylie slips a glass of champagne in my hand. “Thank you. For everything.”
“It’s just some bubbly.” She winks and then slips away to work the room.
I don’t have any friends here. Not that I have many friends anyway. I guess Javier, my trainer, could be considered a friend. And Kylie. But I’m here alone, and I wander around, pretending to check out the pieces hanging on the walls.
I wish Willow and Ryker were here. Aiden would get a kick out of this.
And God, how I wish Gideon were by my side. I ache with how much I miss him.
I notice that Kylie has put several sold stickers by my pieces, and that makes me happy.
“Fancy meeting you here.”
I glance up in surprise, and then feel my lip curl at the sight of Howey.
It shouldn’t surprise me that he’s here. One of the reasons I was attracted to him in the beginning was his love of art.