Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
My mouth drops and Bex’s eyes pop. “Really?”
“Got that shit out of my system and learned my lesson. When I moved last fall, made a pledge to keep free of that drama. And things can get messy when you bring women back to your place and they don’t want to leave.”
“Says a committed playboy.”
“Hey.” He covers his heart. “That stings. I’m a doctor now.”
Bex falls back, howling. “Can’t believe you are using the doctor card as a cover for being a player.”
Her giggles are contagious and I find myself laughing along with her. “I take it Rina didn’t pan out?”
He pales. “Clinger. Sex was fun, but she started to get a little too comfortable.”
“Oh, God forbid you get comfortable with the man you are sleeping with,” I scoff.
“Your specialty of working with exotic dancers may be your calling.” Bex wipes her eyes.
“Joke all you want.”
They banter back and forth and the air of intensity lifts, taking my mood with it.
I slip away to the kitchen and do a quick inventory. April and Celia stocked the house before they left, likely knowing Rowan and I would neglect shopping. Especially me, because some things never change.
I think about calling Rowan for permission, but I know it would insult her. Instead, I shoot off a group text to all the girls.
Dinner at the club tonight. My treat…
Responses are immediate.
Jewls
I’ll bring the wine.
Harley
I’ll bring the newborn… and my envy for those drinking wine.
Jewls
Pump and dump, one glass won’t hurt you.
Rowan
I’ll pick up dessert on my way home.
No need, I have everything.
Shayla
It’s an Ankles in the Air night.
Rowan
Ummm. Okay. You could have said you weren’t available.
Shayla
Not the position, Hollywood. Ankles in the Air is a shot! What the hell do I do with you? By the way, Alex and Cruz are in… they are reading over my shoulder.
I realize it’s gotten quiet, Bex and Lucas watching me carefully.
“Bex, call my brother and tell him we’re doing dinner over here. Lucas, you may end up on that sofa. Jewls is bringing the wine and Shayla is making Ankles…” I stall, not sure how to explain. “Shayla is making shots.”
They flash me grins.
I thumb the ring around my neck, and my mind automatically goes to Talon.
A warm sensation tingles across my skin, knowing he’d approve.
I wander aimlessly through the aisle, a jeweled cosmetics organizer catching my eye. Normally, this wouldn’t be my style, but my new fixation with home décor has me rethinking all my past choices.
People are allowed to change their style, Willow.
I smiled at Rowan’s enthusiasm as she tore the page out of the magazine and added it to the pile.
At the reminder, I head to the office supply section to grab file folders to organize my growing décor inspirations.
All of this is part of my ‘No Moping’ policy.
No more sitting around imagining the worst.
No more avoiding my feelings and my friends.
No more pretending to study while actually lying in a dark room.
It’s been four days since my impromptu dinner party, and also four days since I shed a tear.
That night was the wake-up call I needed.
After assuring everyone I was okay for the millionth time, and promising no more pity parties, it was time for a plan.
Structure… I thrive with structure.
Until Talon gets home and blows my world back to smithereens, it’s time to put my schedule on track.
Unfortunately, Abe is unable to offer me hours until after the exam. Even volunteering was rejected. It was obvious he felt bad and knew I was plugging in hours of my day, but his hands were tied.
I had to pivot my thinking.
It’s amazing how much moping consumed my life.
My calendar is now filled with dedicated study hours, and then I leave the house.
I’ve spent time with Maverick, allowing Harley to have breaks.
I’ve taken the dogs to the park, and actually remembered to load them in the car.
Yesterday was Wyatt’s end-of-the-year field day, which left me completely exhausted.
At night, I’ve revived my interest in cooking that took a nose dive years ago. Rowan and I eat and then plunge into stacks of home décor magazines, discussing our design choices.
Tomorrow is the highly awaited spa day at Rendezvous with Bex.
All in all, things are turning around.
The amount of options in the office supply section is another reminder of how out of touch I’ve been. Most of my school supplies are ordered online to avoid stores.
Basic, drab, neutral… manila folders, blue and black pens… composite notebooks… just to get the job done.
Today, the choices inspire me. I select a whole filing system with decorative files and folders and a chrome frame for organization.
Then I decide Rowan needs the same.
Spontaneity shock strikes at the number of items in my cart.
This was a quick trip to fill time and grab some necessities.
It’s not my fault the baby clothes are adorable. Each of the boys needs these outfits. The dogs have been good and deserve all the treats. Wyatt had a fantastic year and earned a few gifts.