Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
“Sir, may I help you?”
“I’m looking for Ms. Celeste Hoffman.”
“Sorry, but Ms. Hoffman no longer lives here.”
“Don’t fucking lie to me. I’m not in the mood to play games. Her new company is a success and I’m sure she could afford it.”
“Yes, but she has a home in another town and decided it was best to stay there since she can work without having to come into the city. Her lease ended at the beginning of the month, so she decided not to renew it.”
“Oh.”
“Damn it. I need to find her. Sir, I’ve seen you with another beautiful woman around here. Why would you be looking for Ms. Hoffman like a man who has a broken heart?”
“No, you haven’t. I’ve been working in our Chicago office for the past three-plus months. You saw my twin brother and his wife, and so did Celeste. She thinks I’m freaking married or at the very least, has a pregnant woman on the side. Damn it.”
“All I’ll tell you is she lives in Holly Hills. Merry Christmas. Don’t let anything happen to her or you’re a dead man.”
“Understood.” I opened my wallet and handed him a thousand dollars that I had in there. “Merry Christmas to you. I can’t even explain how much time you saved me. I’ve been hoping to find her for months.”
The drive to Holly Hills feels like an eternity when it’s truly not that far from the city, but none of that matters because winning back Celeste is all I can think about.
My first stop in town was very busy, but then I saw a bright blonde inside through the window. When she turned, it was not her. Still, I’m going to buy my woman some treats. Besides, small-town people talk, and maybe I can get the information I need.
The crowd slowly dies down and I make my way to the front when an older gentleman asks me, “How can I help you, sir?”
“First, I’d like to know where I can find Celeste Hoffman?”
“Do I look like the Google or information?”
“Glen, don’t be like that. You must be the baby daddy.”
My mouth falls open. “Baby daddy,” I choke out.
“Way to go, Bethany.” The guy shakes his head at her like she fucked up, but that’s the best news I could have gotten. My guys did their job and I made my little family even if I didn’t manage to keep her from running away that day.
“Where the hell is she?” I ask when I finally can get the words out.
“She lives down the road on 223 Holly Lane, and the Maple pecan brownies are her favorite,” she adds, becoming my new favorite person. If this helps me get my woman back, I’ll give this woman a job anywhere in my company if she wants.
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you? I need all the brownie points I can get.”
“Why would you need them?” she asks, glaring at me.
“Because it’s between us. I only want the best for her.” I tap my card and leave a thousand-dollar tip. “Time to go find my bride.”
Chapter Seven
Celeste
“Hey little guys, mommy loves you and I’ll always look after you.”
My doorbell rings which takes me by surprise because most of my neighbors don’t bother me since I’m not that social lately. Carrying a married man’s babies isn’t something I feel like sharing. I haven’t ordered anything since my last set of Christmas things, so it wouldn’t be Colter.
I open the door and immediately attempt to slam it shut, but Lennox is too fast and he’s inside my home, closing the door behind him. He’s just as handsome as I remember. Although, his hair is a little longer and his face looks like he hasn’t shaved in weeks. None of it takes away from how gorgeous he is and it only makes the pain in my heart worse.
“Get out. I don’t want you anywhere near me. You two-timing piece of shit.” I tug down my white sweater, hoping that it hides my belly. It just looks like I’m a little chunky. Maybe I’ve been hitting the ice cream a little too hard after the job loss. Hopefully, he can’t tell before I get him out of my house.
He shakes his head and stalks closer. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ll call the cops,” I say, although I have no idea where my phone is at.
“And tell them what? That you ran off with my baby in your belly.” Fuck, I guess my stomach isn’t small enough to pass off as a little weight gain.
Angry and hurt, I remind him of his betrayal. “Don’t you already have another baby at home?”
“Actually, my sweet Celeste, that will be my niece.”
“So you’re two-timing with your brother’s wife, that’s fucked up even worse than I thought.”
“Fuck, babe. That cut deep. I didn’t get to explain that night partially because I’d be jealous, but I’m a twin and the guy at the building was my brother, Sawyer, and his wife Jill.”