Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Our gazes slide to each other at the same time. “Oh wow.” The notion settles into my psyche. “That’s what happened, isn’t it?”
“According to you, not on purpose.” A smirk slips out before she says, “I’m off to work with the bartenders.”
I pull up my phone and check the box. I don’t get the instant gratification hit I thought I would, but for some reason, it doesn’t matter. I had sex today with an incredible man who made sure to check all my boxes. I’ll be riding this high all night.
The ceremony was perfect. The reception is going off without a hitch. I even got a quick hug good night from Jacob between the two events. Seeing him, even for a few minutes looking all cute in his jammies made my night. When he asked if he was going to see Griffin again because he was nice made my heart melt on the spot. What an amazing day.
I still can’t stop thinking about the significance of seeing them together at the park. My worries were totally unfounded. There was not an ounce of jealousy. Not one iota of fear that Griffin was going to flip our lives upside down for custody. It’s early days, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Not that he won’t want time with him, or that he doesn’t deserve it, but more like it was okay to allow the idea in for the first time. Griffin isn’t a threat to me by stepping into Jacob’s life. He’s not replacing me. He genuinely seems to want to give Jacob the dad he deserves.
I think back to the pizzeria when I met Griffin’s dad. He was the nicest guy who had this playful rapport with Griffin. There was respect flowing both ways between them. He’s had a good role model. They’re still very close and put family first. What more could I want for my son? Happiness is the most important thing I can give him.
I see my brother standing on the outskirts of the open-sided white tent where the party has another hour before closing. I walk over to stand next to him. “What brings you by? Spying for our parents?”
He laughs, looking down at me. “Why would our parents send a spy to check on you, Buggy?” That name is the worst. Will I never outgrow it?
I’ll assume that’s rhetorical since we both already know the answer. “I heard you did big things in France?”
Turning toward me, he scratches his temple and then looks around like someone is watching him. “A few deals were closed.” He looks at me, and says, “I’m thinking about moving there.”
Blindsided, I rock back on my heels. “Will? Why? How? What do you mean?” We’ve not always been on the best of terms. He’s inherited some of my parents’ bad habits when it comes to me, but he’s also my brother, and he’s gone to bat for me when I was under fire.
I stare into his eyes in his silence. A message he doesn’t seem to be able to verbalize is written in the irises. He finally says, “Being born a Dover doesn’t obligate me to a life on this property.”
“Have you told our parents?”
He chuckles like I told a joke. “They’re going to be upset,” I say, telling the truth. I laugh a little just to down play the dramatics, though.
Taking hold of my upper arms, he says, “You have Jacob and . . . Savvy—”
“Oh wow. You’re giving me Savvy.” I roll my eyes, knowing I’m lucky to have her whether I ever marry or not.
“You know what I mean.” He lowers his arms and glances at the reception festivities as they do the Cotton-Eyed Joe.
“You mean since I don’t have a man in my life?”
The guests yelling, “Bullshit,” while they dance and sing is quite the statement as we muddle through our own conversation.
Will says, “Didn’t look that way the other day in your office.”
He’s not wrong. Griffin has captivated almost every thought I’ve had this week. Before he returned, he was still a frequent mind visitor. The tides have turned from fantasy to reality in such a short time. He’s here. He’s real and appears to be staying, at least for the time being. And the anxiety I had leading up to him finding out about Jacob has all but disappeared. I’m okay taking this journey with Griffin. “You’re right, and I don’t want to hide from you guys.”
“Why would you have to?” His smile sinks into something more suspicious. “Is it because he’s a Greene?”
My heart shouldn’t drop to the bottom of my stomach, but it does. “Greene isn’t a dirty word.”
“It is around here.”
The party is going swimmingly. I flip my full attention to him and cross my arms over my chest. “And why is that exactly?”