Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
She held out a hand. “Hi, I’m Bailey.”
Lizzy added, “My bestie from college and sister-in-law as she married Connor’s brother.”
I shook Bailey’s hand and stupidly blurted, “You’re her.”
Bailey frowned, but Lizzy got it. “She means you’re the one Matty crushed on.” Then she said to me, “I’m surprised he told you.”
He hadn’t. I put all the pieces together. I didn’t get to say that because Bailey shook her head. “He probably meant that I crushed on him when we met in college, and he only saw me as his sister’s best friend.”
“But he did come to New York to declare he wanted you,” Lizzy said, blunt as ever, confirming my suspicions.
“No. Matt was just lonely. Trust me, from what I hear, you’re his person. Not me. We were only ever friends,” Bailey said.
With all the back-and-forth, I said nothing for a second as I got my bearings. “It doesn’t matter. He left,” I said and sat on a barstool. I glanced over at the spot where we hooked up the night before.
Bailey moved farther into the kitchen and set a couple of tote bags on the counter. I was glad she was using the other side of the counter from where Shawn and I had been the night before. She began to nervously pull out food containers, and I remembered lunch.
“Oh, I forgot,” I admitted.
Lizzy blew out a breath and ignored my comment. “I’m sorry Matt left. I’m sure he had a good reason.”
“He didn’t stay, even when I asked,” I repeated.
When she didn’t reply, I glanced up and saw a frown on her face. “My brother is so in love with you.”
A bitter laugh left my chest. “Trust me, he’s not. He can’t even give whatever we have a name.”
Her eyes landed on my wrist. “Matty’s not always good with words. He’s an action guy. He brought you to our parents’ place and told them you were engaged.”
“That was to piss your father off,” I retorted.
“There are a lot of ways to piss Dad off. He didn’t have to bring you,” she said as Bailey laid out lunch for us.
“Your mom was ill—” I said.
She cut me off. “But not dying. He could have dropped you off before coming over. Matty has never, and I mean never, brought anyone home.”
I shrugged. “That’s not a declaration of love.”
She snagged my hand and held up my arm so Bailey could see the bracelet. “And what’s this if not a declaration?”
Bailey gasped and clapped her hands. I shook my head, not understanding.
Lizzy sighed. “This is Cartier’s iconic LOVE bracelet.”
“And?” I said.
She rolled her eyes, and Bailey giggled. “This bracelet was dreamed up by some Italian jewelry designer in, like, 1969. It’s meant to serve as a commitment and symbol of love. It has to be secured onto your wrist by a lover with a vermeil screwdriver, never to be taken off. Did he give you the screwdriver or keep it?”
“He kept it,” I admitted. Her eyebrow quirked as she tilted her head as if to say Duh. “So?” I questioned, still not buying her logic.
She blew out an exasperated breath. “Look. My brother’s love language is giving gifts. He doesn’t buy anything for himself except maybe food. But he buys gifts for those he cares about. And he’s thoughtful about it.”
That reminded me about the stuff he’d gotten for his nephew and future niece or nephew. I held up a hand and darted down the hall to our bedroom. When had I started to think of it as ours? I snagged the bag and returned. I left it in front of Lizzy, who pulled out the items one by one. They cooed over the two items.
“See? This is what I mean. He thought about it. He knows Connor’s a painter and our son is a little devil. He just doesn’t buy a gift for the sake of it.” I looked down at the bracelet. She asked, “Are you in love with him?”
“Huh?” I asked, caught off guard.
“It’s a yes or no question,” Lizzy said, all business now.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
Bailey jumped in. “How are you feeling about him leaving? Does it bother you?” I nodded. “I was a dumb question. I can see it on your face. But your answer is a good sign. If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t care, if that makes sense. Oh, my pregnancy brain. Anyway, do you miss him?”
“Yes,” I said.
Bailey smiled. “I think you know how you feel about him. It’s scary to give someone that power. Trust me, we’ve both experienced it. But when it’s right, it’s amazing.”
“I don’t know how to feel. I still call him Shawn, and his name is Matt,” I said, letting loose all my frustration.
“Connor told me how you were introduced. You can’t blame him for not giving you his name in front of those assholes.” I didn’t. “And to be honest, you should still call him Sean. Those bad people are still out there and you wouldn’t want to accidentally give up his real name to them if you cross their path.”