Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“At this very moment, whichever side gets me a good night’s sleep.”
“Fine.” I checked the time. “You can go back to your car. Just let me know when Carmen goes inside the dress shop and I’ll go home. I might need to atone for this in the biggest way possible.”
“You can start by writing me a check.”
“Get out.”
He laughed and stepped out of the car.
Slamming my door shut, he jaunted out of view.
Just so you know…
Just so you know, I looked into everything you claimed and…
I know unresolved emotions linger between us regarding how things went down, but the past needs to remain in the…
I couldn’t figure out how to send a final text message to Dahlia.
As I was redrafting it, I heard a familiar laugh echoing through the alley.
I glanced through my rear-view mirror and spotted Carmen.
Armed with more shopping bags, she was watching something on her phone. Then she walked past my car and crossed the street.
I called her.
“Hey babe,” she answered.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Some last-minute strolling in Nashville. I needed fresh air.”
“Want some company?”
“Are you going to teleport here between now and my fitting?” She smiled. “I’ll see you at home tonight. Can’t wait to show you this thing I bought for our honeymoon. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” I said, ending the call.
She rounded the corner, and I stared at the screen, waiting for Leo’s inevitable call.
Fifteen minutes passed without an alert, so I called him instead.
“Yeah?” He picked up on the first ring.
“Why didn’t you call me?” I asked.
“Because unfortunately, Carmen hasn’t made it to this street yet,” he said. “Trust me, I’m watching like a hawk.”
“I watched her turn the corner a couple of seconds ago.”
“Dude, no one has gone inside this dress shop. I promise. There’s no one even—Oh, I see her. She’s getting into a car.”
“What type of car?”
“A Mercedes AMG, I think, and…” His voice trailed off. “It has New York tags.”
“Are you going to follow?”
“Ten steps ahead of you,” he said. “They’re driving north, so come that way so you can get in my car.”
I pulled onto the street and tried not to let my mind run wild.
If Carmen were cheating on me, I’d be beyond upset, but I wouldn’t be as crushed as when Dahlia did it to me.
I wouldn’t allow myself to be…
FIRST FROST
BACK THEN
Everett
“Mr. Anderson?” My boss at Eads Financials steps into my doorway. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” I shut my laptop. “How can I help you, sir?”
“I’m recommending you for a huge promotion.”
“Honored to hear that, sir.”
“Unfortunately, the position would require you to leave our little location here and move to New Jersey of the outskirts of New York.” He hands me a file. “We’re willing to pay your relocation fees, and I hope your girlfriend will convince you to take it.”
“What makes you think she has a say in my decision?”
“Funny.” He pats my shoulder and laughs. “Take your time reading the fine print of the offer and let me know what Dahlia says. I’m willing to talk to her anytime.”
“Thank you, sir.” I wait for him to leave my office and pick up my phone to call Dahlia, but she’s already sent me a message.
Dahlia
Can you meet me at Friedman’s for dinner when you get off work today?
It’s an emergency.
When I make it to Friedman’s, Dahlia is sitting alone in a corner booth.
“Hey.” I kiss the back of her neck. “What’s the emergency?”
“It’s a big one…”
“I’m sure.” I smile, taking a seat across from her. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” She nods, but the pained look in her eyes gives it away. I mentally run through the calendar.
Her finals were last week, and she wasn’t prepared, but I stayed beside her during the all-nighters and quizzed her until she felt confident.
So, maybe this “emergency” is about that.
“I really hope I passed my Statistics exam,” she says. “I struggled with all the historical data questions.”
Okay, definitely that.
“Here.” I decide to change the subject, handing her my promotion folder. “Read this.”
She doesn’t take it; she stares at it, and then lets out a slow, unsteady breath.
“I can’t be with you anymore.”
“What?”
“I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“For the long-term.”
“Since when I am not your endgame?”
“Since this morning.”
Silence.
“Dahlia, what the fuck is wrong with you?” I’m tempted to drive her to the E.R. and have her head examined. “You were fine last night and when I talked to you this morning. What’s changed?”
“Please don’t try to talk me into staying with you.” Her tone is colder than I’ve ever heard it. “We can’t be together anymore.”
“So, you’re cheating on me?” I clenched my jaw. “How long and who the fuck is he?”
“I would never cheat on you, Everett. Ever.”
“Then what the fuck is wrong with you?”
The entire restaurant falls silent. Dahlia’s cheeks redden, and she stands to her feet.