Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I’ve wondered what he got out of our night together. Despite his words of praise, I’m sure he’s on to his next hookup. As he should.
But I’m a different woman than the one I was when I boarded the plane on Friday. That version of me was hopeful but scared to hope too much. I was quietly fearful that the best years of my life had passed me by, and I’d made peace with the possibility that I might wind up alone for the rest of my life.
But that was the me then. This me? I have a whole new perspective.
One night with Tate was all it took to realize that I haven’t really lived. I’ve settled for far less than I deserve. I’ve been accepting of things that didn’t suit me, benefit me, or were for me.
I’ve been content with living my life in mediocrity so that other people can be comfortable.
It’s a stunning revelation.
It took a stranger to show me what I’ve been missing. A man I don’t even know showed me more passion than my two husbands who took an oath before God to love, honor, and cherish me. It’s wild.
“So …” Tally prompts, watching me expectantly. “Don’t sit there and pretend you don’t have a story for me because I can see it in your eyes.”
I take a deep breath. “Fine. I’m not giving you a ton of details because you are my intern, and we do need to keep this professional.”
“I get it. But also, you do realize that if I weren’t your intern, we’d totally be hanging out, right?”
“Tally, I could be your mother.”
“The coolest mother ever.” She points at me. “Don’t get sidetracked. Spill it.”
“Fine.” A bubble of excitement stirs in my stomach. “Yes, I did see Tate on Friday.”
She fist-pumps the air.
“I went down to the restaurant for dinner, and he happened to be there waiting for me.”
“Seriously?”
“With a rose,” I say, grinning.
She dances in her seat.
“And he’d made reservations for us.”
“A man with a plan. We love it.”
Yes, we do. “And we might’ve gone back to his room after.”
“Aurora, you little minx!”
My face turns red. “And that’s all you’re getting.”
“That wasn’t all he was getting, it seems.”
“Stop it.” I laugh. “Seriously. I’ve overshared as it is.”
She scoots to the edge of the chair. “I have one question, and then I’ll let it go.”
I stare at her.
“Did you at least give him your real name?” she asks.
I shake my head. “A part of me feels guilty for lying to him about it. But when it comes down to it, I’m glad I didn’t.”
“You can’t get an encore if he doesn’t know who you are!”
“Exactly.”
She holds her head in her hands like her mind is blown.
I could explain it to her. I could tell her that I can’t get in too deep with the first man I meet after my divorce. And I certainly can’t let myself fall for a man who’s probably cool with never seeing me again.
He got what he wanted. I did, too. And what happened in Ohio needs to stay there.
“Okay,” I say, organizing papers in front of me. “We have a meeting in about half an hour. I have no idea who’s going to be there or what they’re going to say. I just need us to be as prepared as we can be for whatever comes our way. Charlie is counting on us, and I gave him my word.”
The playfulness of a few moments ago is gone, and Tally’s in work mode.
“In that case, I need to run to my desk and make sure I’m organized,” she says, getting to her feet.
“Great.”
“Don’t worry, Aurora. We’re going to dazzle them with our abilities,” she says, a nod punctuating her statement. “By the sound of it, it’ll be the second time you’ve dazzled someone this week.”
“Tally …”
She heads for the door. “I’m kidding. I won’t bring it up again, but I couldn’t let that opportunity pass.”
“Meet me in the conference room at nine fifty.”
“I’ll be there.”
She closes the door behind her.
I sit back in my chair and grab my coffee, letting the heat of the mug warm my hands. For the first time since the start of the weekend, I’m able to catch my breath. I can think clearly, too.
Tate’s smile pops up in my brain.
Well, kind of clearly …
Chapter Twelve
Tate
“That’s a no.”
I deny Gannon’s call and pull out of my neighborhood.
The Monday morning sun is bright and warm. It should be enough to lift my spirits. Even if I wake up in a bad mood, the sun has a way of straightening me out before I get to the office.
Usually.
I have a feeling that won’t work today.
Gannon calls again. I deny him for a second time.
I kept my eyes open for Kelly all day on Saturday. That night, I sat at the bar in Ruma for far too long in hopes that she’d come down for dinner. I watched for her at the airport on Sunday and spent my time sitting in the traveler’s lounge searching for her online.