Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
I scowl at my best friend. “What the hell?”
“You didn’t love her. She didn’t think you were capable of it. Now you love someone else, and it threw her for a loop because she thought she knew you better than that.”
“I’m going to be brutally honest here, and I hope it doesn’t make you punch me in the face because she’s your wife.”
“Go ahead.”
“Fiona only knows what I’ve allowed her to know. She’s my best friend’s wife, and that’s all. I wouldn’t expect you to know all of the ins and outs about Billie, even twenty years from now.” I stare at him, and Ronan nods in agreement.
“That’s pretty much what I told her. She needs to let her shite go. She will probably apologize to you, but I don’t think she meant to try to scare Billie off.” He shrugs and then grins at me. “Not that it would have worked anyway. That lass is in love with you, mate.”
“I know.” And the reminder of it never fails to knock me off balance. “And it’s returned to her in kind. When are we meeting with the others?”
Checking his watch, Ronan says, “Thirty minutes.”
“I’ll see you in there, then.”
He nods and leaves my office, and I make a quick call to my angel.
“Hey,” she says as she accepts the video call. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I see you made it to Dublin.”
“Aye,” I reply, soaking her in. “Angel, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Okay.”
“I need you to stick with Simon. Let him drive you wherever you need to go.”
“It’s so annoying,” she mutters and closes her eyes, and I can see her fatigue. Christ, she’s not sleeping.
Because I’m not there.
The guilt is swift and all-consuming as I lean back in my chair, wishing I could pull her close and hold her in my arms.
“When was the last time you got a good night’s sleep, bumble?”
She shakes her head. “I’m fine.”
“Answer the question.”
She nibbles on her bottom lip. “How long have you been gone?”
“Baby, come to Ireland. I’ll send the jet for you right now, and you can be here by morning. Come to me.”
“I wish I could.” She sounds defeated, and it makes me ache for her. “I can’t leave again so soon. I have too much work to do. But you’ll be home soon, right?”
“I’m doing my best. Trust me, I don’t like being away from you, either. It should hopefully just be a few more days, and then I’ll be home for a while.”
“Good.” She smiles sweetly. “I have Birdie’s dance recital tonight. Skyla’s disappointed that you won’t be here for it.”
It seems I’m just letting all my girls down this week.
“I’m sorry I won’t be there, but I’ll call her after we hang up. Take Simon with you, Billie.”
“Okay, billionaire, I’ll take my babysitter.”
“Not a babysitter. Your detail because I want you safe. I love you.”
“I am safe. I’m home. Nothing’s going to happen to me here, baby. There’s always someone around.”
I take a deep breath. “Try to get some sleep tonight.”
“I’ll do my best.” She grins at me. “Don’t worry about me.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Go finish ruling the world so you can come home.”
“Okay. Be good, keep Simon with you, and stay out of trouble.”
“Who, me?” She bats her eyelashes playfully. “I’d never get into trouble.”
“Right. Tell me you love me.”
“More than all the stars in the sky, billionaire.”
She hangs up, and I close my eyes. Christ, I miss her.
I check the time. Seeing that I still have a few minutes to spare, I call Skyla.
“And hello to you,” she says with a smile. “A video call. Fancy.”
“I wanted to tell you to break a leg tonight at the recital.”
“I see you’re not coming. Again.”
I blow out a breath and shake my head at her. “I’m in Dublin, Skyla Maeve. It’s not like I’m just across town and am blowing you off.”
She narrows her eyes, but I see the humor in them. “Billie misses you.”
“I miss her too.”
“Don’t worry, she’s staying busy with work and all of us. She’s coming tonight, along with Ma and Da.”
Our parents decided to stay in Montana for a while, and I know that Skyla has enjoyed spending time with them. “I know, I just got off the phone with Billie a few minutes ago. Anyway, I have to go. I love you.”
My sister grins at me. “I know. I love you too. Slán abhaile.”
Safe home.
That’s definitely where I want to be heading.
My entire family is in Montana.
I stand and button my suit jacket closed, something I’ve done a million times before. But today? Today, it feels as though my suit just doesn’t … fit.
I hadn’t realized until Billie kept commenting on my body how seldom I didn’t wear a suit. Until her. Until I had a reason not to don my armor every day. Until I had a reason to think outside of boardrooms, contractor meetings, and other business-focused affairs. Until I had someone who utterly and completely fit me.