Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 485(@300wpm)
I let out a huff of a laugh and slowly unwrap the thick, pearly white wrapping. The box under the paper is simple. Nothing fancy, and it opens easily.
“It’s nothing big really,” Lydia says as I pull whatever it is out of the box. Her fingers fidget around the hem of her dress. “Just a trinket.”
I flinch as a piece of it seems to pop off, and then stare at a heavy painted petal in my hand. It’s a pale pink with gold around its edges and a stripe of white that fades in the center.
“Don’t worry, they’re magnetic,” Lydia says quickly and takes the box from me, pouring it out and letting an owl-shaped bauble sit in my lap. It’s colorful, decorated in shades of blue and gray with bright blue eyes.
“He has your eyes, huh?” she says and it makes me laugh. I answer her, “I guess so.”
She picks up the owl and slips the petal back into place, blending it into the sculpture.
“Oh,” I gasp and then realize that’s what the owl is made up of, beautiful petals and flowers. Each edge gilded with gold and fitting perfectly next to each other. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper, our fingers brushing as she hands it back to me.
“It was in Cosmo’s unexpected gift ideas feature this month and the second I saw it, I thought of you.”
“Because of the blue eyes?” I ask her jokingly.
“Because when it’s not together, it looks like scattered petals that have fallen apart, but really when it’s all put together, it’s so beautiful and something you wouldn’t have imagined.”
Her answer stuns me, making all of my emotions come back tenfold. I am in love with this owl. Everything about it. At the same time, I wish I had something to give her in return.
“Thank you,” I tell her and wrap my arms around her even though I’m still sitting down.
Lydia shrugs, straightening herself and downplaying how sweet her gesture is. “My credit card was burning a hole in my pocket,” she says and winks.
“I owe you big time,” I answer her, gathering the pieces and putting them back in the box.
“Remember me when you’re famous, will ya?” she asks me and it makes me laugh. A real laugh that shakes my shoulders.
“It’s good to see you smile again,” Lydia says softly and her expression changes, with nothing but sincerity on her face.
“You love him?” she asks me gently at the same time her phone goes off. An annoyed look replaces the soft smile as she silences it. “I was worried at first,” she tells me, slipping the phone into her pocket and then looking back at me. “But now I get it.”
I don’t answer her, not trusting that I can even form a coherent sentence. It’s amazing what just one person whose understanding and support you have feels like. How much weight is lifted.
“I have to go, but I don’t want to leave you,” she says with a guilty tone in her voice.
“I’ll be fine,” I tell her more to ease her worry than to be truthful.
She’s the one, this time, to give me a death grip hug.
When she releases me, she whispers, “Go, get out of here and see what the hell they want you to do.”
“Maybe it’s a shampoo commercial,” she adds with a smirk on her lips.
I playfully smack her arm. “Shut up,” I say jokingly and shake my head.
I know I’m already late and an emotional wreck, but at least I’m a little more lighthearted.
“I’ll see you when I’m done.”
“I have to check out and I don’t think my card will be active,” she tells me, the humor and playfulness gone. “I won’t go far and the minute you need me, call and I’m here.”
I nod my head, hating that she’s leaving and feeling more and more alone.
“Got it,” I tell her and give her one more hug. “Thank you for everything,” I say, squeezing her tight.
“Just remember,” she says before she leaves, “Everything happens for a reason.”
CHAPTER 17
Nathan
St. Gerard’s corporate rooms are exquisite; it’s obvious they spared no expense. From the beveled glass, mirrored pendant chandelier in the center of the room, to the coffered ceiling with disguised recess lights, everything reeks of wealth. The combination of the lighting creates reflections across the slick, dark mahogany table that takes up the entirety of the expansive room.
It’s gorgeous and meant to aid in getting deals done.
But with only four people in the sweeping space, it feels cold. Especially so as I stare across the dark table at Hally, who’s struggling to look me in the eye.
I crack my knuckles one at a time, listening to Nancy talk as she sifts through a stack of printed papers in front of her. Each an article or mention in a gossip column. Mixed in are photos of us that were leaked online from back in high school. Those are the only ones I even bother to look at.