Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“I’ve got to say, your sister knows how to plan a vacation,” Tristan says from his seat next to me, unaware of my train of thought.
The entire trip turned out to be more fun than I thought it would be. Having Taylor around my family and best friends was easy. She fit right in, and my parents, who already liked her, got to know her even better.
“I never wanted to go, but I ended up having a good time,” I tell Tristan.
“Because you brought a guest.” Tristan props his elbow on the bar. “I like her.”
I grin because every time I think about Taylor, I smile. “She liked you guys, too.”
“Is she sticking around? I mean, how are things going to work with her having your baby and living in Charleston?” He checks his messages and pushes his phone aside.
I scrub a hand over my face and groan. “We haven’t talked about it yet, but we need to.” After being with Taylor daily for almost three weeks, I can’t imagine not seeing her every day. And I definitely don’t want her to raise the baby with me being a part-time dad on weekends or when I’m in town for business.
My phone rings, distracting me from serious thoughts, and I pull it out of my pocket. A glance at the screen tells me it’s a Charleston area code.
Knowing it’s about the club, I take the call. “Hello?”
“Mr. Dare?” an unfamiliar female voice asks.
“Yes?”
“This is Danielle Stern, from the Board of Architectural Review in Charleston.”
“How can I help you?” I ask, glancing at Tristan, while wondering why she’s contacting me. We were thorough in filling out our application, but maybe there are things they want further specified. Because from what I was told, we’d find out if our application to make changes to the building was approved or denied by checking the customer self-service portal. Not by phone.
“I’m calling to tell you that your permit for structural changes has been denied. I’m so sorry,” she says.
My stomach churns and I stiffen in my seat. “Can I ask why?” The inspector in the preapproval process led me to believe this shouldn’t be a tough request to have passed.
“The information is on the CSS. Again, my apologies.” She disconnects the call, leaving me in shock. I place my cell on the counter and instruct myself to breathe and to think.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Tristan asks, reading my expression well.
“Our application for structural changes in Charleston was denied. Fuck.” I pound my hand on the counter of the bar.
Before Tristan can react, my cell rings again. “Hello?” I listen and mutter a curse under my breath. “Yes. I understand. Thank you.” I disconnect the call and turn to my partner. “Business license denied.”
Two back-to-back calls that should have come through in other ways. I shake my head at how badly I screwed up by calling the senator. “Apparently, Chandler Cross wasn’t kidding about making my life difficult.”
“Hey.” Tristan stands and puts a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll figure shit out. Don’t forget we’ve got sharklike lawyers in our corner.”
I nod. “We will get it sorted.” Somehow. There’s no other alternative.
The door to the club opens and Taylor walks inside. She’s wearing a yellow dress that hits mid-thigh, showing off the tan she’s acquired since arriving in Florida, and her hair is wavy today, falling to her shoulders. She’s sunshine and happiness and I’m about to take that smile right off her beautiful face, dammit.
“Hi!” she says to me, obviously in a good mood.
“Hi.” I walk over, wrap an arm around her waist, and pull her into me, pressing a kiss to her lips.
She blushes and waves at Tristan. “Hi.”
“Hello, Taylor. Your timing is perfect. I was just heading to my office, so you can have this guy all to yourself.” He grins at her, slaps me on the back, and walks toward the back of the club.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, staring after Tristan’s disappearing form.
I guide her to one of the tables, and I hold out a chair for her and slide it in as she sits. I take the seat beside her.
“What is it?” she asks. “What’s wrong?”
I rub the back of my neck, massaging the tense muscles there. “I have something to tell you, and I don’t want you to get upset.” I decide to do it quickly. “Our permits and applications in Charleston were denied. And not even through the normal channels. I got a personal call instead of finding out on the website like every other applicant.”
Her eyes open wide. “No, he didn’t! What am I saying? Of course he did. I am so sorry.” She wrings her hands in front of her. “I never wanted my problems to impact you or your business.” She bites down on her lower lip, gnawing on the tender skin. “No. He can’t do that.”