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)
“Clara said you were out here talking on the phone and looked upset. Are you okay?”
She reaches for my neck, cupping it and stroking the base. I slowly nod, covering her hand with mine. “Fine.”
Lou’s gaze searches mine. “You sure?”
“I was on the phone with Mikayla,” I tell her, and I hate that she stiffens at the mention of my ex’s name. “She’s been bothering my mom, trying to get back with me, apparently. And I had to put a stop to that.”
She blinks at me and swallows hard. “Did it go okay?”
“Better than I could have expected,” I admit because it did go well. I said what I needed, and I feel so much better. I grasp her hips, pulling her in close. “I told her that she’s wasting her time. I don’t want her, haven’t wanted her in years, and that the girl I’m with has made me feel more in a week than she did in four years.”
Her brow softens, and it’s a beautiful sight to watch her concerns float away.
“That I found the girl of my dreams and I’m happy.”
Her smile is dazzling as a sweet blush warms her cheeks. “The girl of your dreams, huh?”
I lean in, pressing my nose to hers. “Yup, I have everything I want in my hands.”
Her lips part before she cups my face, her palms warm and inviting against my flesh. “As do I.”
As our lips meet, my heart swells for this girl.
The girl I’m hoping is falling for me—just as quickly as I’m falling for her.
CHAPTER 37
Louisa
The work week goes quickly, between preorders and talking about the new releases in the store, and it’s easy to say I’m busy every day.
At night, I’m Ciaran’s.
He hasn’t slept at his apartment since we fell into my bed together that first time. I know his roommate has an issue with it. But me? I’m loving every second. There is something special about falling asleep in his arms and waking up either sprawled across him or with his large body tangled with mine. Each day, something new of his invades my space. Razors and a toothbrush have been added to my bathroom. He has a mug in the kitchen, and his shoes are by the door. One of his hoodies is on the back of the chair in the kitchen, and his charger is plugged into the wall on his side of the bed. His nightstand has a few books, his reading glasses, and his water tumbler.
It all happened so quickly, effortlessly, and I wouldn’t change a damn thing. I love it. I love him in my space. Eliza isn’t a fan of the noise, but I ordered her noise-canceling headphones the day she came home, so she hasn’t complained much since they arrived. Mostly, I think she’s too happy for me to really be annoyed by us. Also, it isn’t like Ciaran bothers her. When he isn’t with me, he reads or watches TV with her. They get along fantastically and love to team up against me and tell me how messy I am.
Of course I’m dating the one guy who is a clean freak like my sister.
A wide smile pulls at my lips as that thought comes to mind. As much as I bristle at the teaming up they do against me, I also love it. They like each other, and that’s all I could truly ask for. For my sister, my best friend, to adore the guy that I love. Not that I’ve told him that, or that he has said it to me, but sometimes I feel like he wants to. But then I remind myself it’s been like ten days and only my dumb self falls as quickly as I have. Either way, I’ve fallen deeply for him, and it’s time to own up to that.
I pull into the player and staff entrance of Davenport Arena and park near where I know my peepaw will be. I haven’t been to the arena much the last couple weeks, but it isn’t like I’m expected to be here. I only came for the food when my peepaw was showing off the arena to all the developers and team owners. To make an appearance. Peepaw loves showing off his granddaughters, says we make him look approachable. I don’t know how—Clara, Elliot, and I have really bad resting bitch faces, but I guess Eliza is all sweet and lovely.
After parking, I head in, using my keycard to enter the back way that is reserved for executive staff. I greet security as I go through and then head toward my peepaw’s office. Davenport Arena is huge—and a huge addition to this town. I wish more people would realize that. Tennessee wants to be a hockey state… Well, here we are, providing an enormous building for hockey to be played in. I adjust Ciaran’s jersey on my shoulders before tucking my hands in the sleeves since it’s chilly in here. I can’t wait for the game tonight. I’m excited for Davenport Arena to put on its first-ever game for the Knoxville Bears, but also, I’m ready to see Ciaran play. I’ve watched videos of him on YouTube, and he’s damn good. I’m ready to cheer him on and then let him score when he gets home.