Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“I have,” I admit, and even I can’t fight my smile.
She squeals, and my smile turns to a smirk. “Who is she? Where did you meet her? When can I meet her?”
I chuckle softly, leaning back and crossing my ankles. “Her name is Louisa, I met her in her bookshop here in town, and as soon as possible, Mom. I know you’ll like her.”
I know my mom is over the moon, and when I feel someone watching me, I look over to see that Louisa’s eyes are trained on me as she stands on the ladder. Her brow is perked, a small smile playing on her lips, and I’m in awe of her. “She’s smart, exquisite, and looks really good in my jersey.”
Louisa’s lips curve, her eyes lusty and striking.
Leaving me out of breath.
Mom laughs. “Oh my. You got it bad, don’t you?”
“I think I do.”
“Well, I can’t wait to meet her—and also for Mikayla to find out so she can go fuck right the hell off.” My laughter fills the space, and Mom laughs with me. “I knew something was going on. I could hear it in your voice. I’m very excited for you, my love. It makes me so thrilled that you’re obviously happy.”
I swallow past the lump of emotion in my throat that I refuse to acknowledge at this moment as I hold Louisa’s gaze. Her eyes are only for me, as mine are for her. She knows I’m talking about her, and it pleases me to see that she enjoys it. I want to tell everyone. If I were a social media kind of guy, I’d tell the world. But telling my mom is all that matters.
“I am, Mom. I really am.”
And to make sure that never changes, I have to deal with Mikayla.
CHAPTER 35
Louisa
I lean on the ladder, my chin on my hands while I wait for one of my sisters to pass me books, but really, I’m in this position to watch Ciaran. His legs are out in front of him, and he’s leaning on his elbow on the armrest, his phone to his ear, looking like a buffet of yumminess. Though, that is not what’s captured my attention. It’s the grin on his lips. It’s so genuine, so happy, and so beautiful. I heard my name, and I’m pretty sure he is talking about me. With that knowledge and the smile on his face, it’s easy to say I feel beyond special.
I feel adored.
Loved.
Oh great, I’m thinking of the l-word after a week. I need to remember this moment when I get annoyed with the heroine in whatever love story I read next. I am no longer allowed to bitch, moan, and cuss at the heroine anymore.
For I am a victim of instalove.
I press my hand to my chest as my heart slams into my ribs, reminding me how deeply I already feel for Ciaran. How badly I want to be his forever and then some. Just as quickly as that feeling washes over me, so does the fear of rejection, and it stuns me. Hits me square in the chest. Soon, the what-ifs start swirling in my head. What if he doesn’t feel the same? What if he never does? What if this is just a means to end? What if he gets to the NHL and leaves me behind?
Before another what-if can assault me, Ciaran shifts his attention to me, and his smirk turns to a full-out grin that makes his eyes shine. As I gaze into his gorgeous eyes, I think, what if he loves me too? What if he is made just for me? What if he is everything I’ve been looking for? What if, no matter what happens, we’ll be just fine because we love each other?
Well, I like that line of thinking.
Because what if he is my forever and more?
Before I can run to him, I’m smacked on my ass by the back of a book. I glance down to Eliza, who is looking up at me with a gleam in her eyes. I wiggle my ass to her and grin. “Oh yes, Daddy. Harder,” I moan, and she snorts with laughter. And I don’t miss the way Ciaran’s head snaps back up and his eyes lock on us. Heat swirls in those blue gems, and when he reads the situation, he laughs as he shakes his head.
Oh, I love him.
“Care to do some work instead of ogling your lover boy?”
I glare at Eliza, but even I can’t hide my smile. I reach for the books, shelving them, then take a stack from Elliot and another from Clara. I turn to take more, but I find that Ciaran is looking up at me from the bottom of the ladder. He cups the back of my calf, rubbing his thumb into the muscle of my leg.