Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“So,” I started but immediately stopped to drag in a deep breath. “I get what you’re saying, and yes, I need to figure some things out. Dating Declan right now has made things…complicated. I care for him a lot. Might even be…fuck it. I am in love with this man. I love who he is and how he cares for Joy. I don’t want to mess this up, but I need to figure out how to put my life together again.”
“If he loves you as much as you love him, he’ll be right there with you as you figure your life out. That won’t scare him away.”
That was easy for her to say. Declan was one of the best damn things to ever happen to me, and I didn’t want to lose him.
My eyes followed Declan as he walked Joy. He leaned down and tickled her belly and I swore I could see a bare foot kick out above the side of the stroller. Seeing both of them like this eased the pain in my chest, but it didn’t get rid of the doubts my mom had inserted into my brain.
Had I jumped into all of this because it was safe and easy? While I might love Declan, would I be disappointed in myself for not standing on my own two feet?
“I’ll think about what you said,” I mumbled, forcing a smile on my lips as Declan left the sidewalk around the fountain and gazing pool to cut through the grass toward us.
“We just want what’s best for you, sweetheart,” Mom said.
Yeah, but who the hell knew what that was?
I glanced over my shoulder and flashed my mom a weak smile. She hadn’t meant any harm, and I knew her intentions were good. The problem was that I didn’t know what to do next.
22
PARKER CAIN
A long, heavy sigh slipped between my parted lips as I scrubbed a hand through my messy hair. I needed to get a fucking haircut. Unfortunately, the only time I remembered I was long overdue for a haircut was at night when the shops were closed or I was nowhere near my phone.
Life had been too busy. Despite Declan’s wish that I paint his home office next, I’d found myself stuck with an unexpected artistic block. Every time I stood in that room, my mind went blank. As a result, I’d ended up painting two bathrooms and a guest bedroom in the past three weeks. Declan hadn’t whispered a word of complaint, but I was getting frustrated. Why couldn’t I tackle his office?
The longer I struggled with this room, the bigger the obstacle in my mind became. I couldn’t envision anything but those damn white walls. Declan Foster was more than a bland blank canvas.
So, five days a week, I sat in the middle of the office with its shining wood desk and dark-wood bookshelves while Declan was at work, and I stared at those walls, trying to will myself to define this man who dominated so much of my life.
And it didn’t help that my mom’s words were still replaying in my head, gnawing away at my sanity.
Why was I still living here in Declan’s house?
It wasn’t a money issue. The insurance company had coughed up the money I was owed for the fire more than a month ago. Declan had also paid me a huge down payment for the murals I was painting around his house. It went without mentioning that Declan refused to let me pay for anything. All of Joy’s and my grocery needs were added to his own bill. My bank account was practically overflowing with cash. Yes, I’d enjoyed the luxurious furnishings and having someone to cook for me every fucking day. There was no worrying about cleaning, doing the laundry, or making runs to the grocery store for baby food and diapers. It was all done for me. My entire focus could be on caring for Joy, painting, and spending time with Declan.
But beyond the luxury, living with Declan meant that every day I woke up with a safety net. Whether it was Declan, Franks, or Donovan, there was always someone right there to lend me a hand if I had a problem.
Of course, Declan and I were dating now. Living in his house meant we had even more time together. I was sleeping in his room more often than not.
Yet, if the fire had not happened, if my life hadn’t taken on all these unexpected complications, would I be living with Declan right now?
Fuck, no.
Parker Cain liked his independence. After moving out on my own, I’d never attempted to live with anyone. Not even Molly after we finished college. I’d grown up with three siblings. Having my own space and privacy was a dream come true. It hadn’t mattered if my apartment was small and crappy. That space was all mine.