Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“Stay away from Charli,” I grumbled, and Jonathan chuckled, pleased to have found a sensitive spot.
“Quit commenting on my grey hair, and I’ll consider it. Also, it isn’t grey; it’s light ash.”
Keep telling yourself that, Shay signed, and Jonathan—who had picked up some sign language in recent months—pressed his lips together. “I’ll let you away with that one since it’s your big day. Now, who’s going to join me in a little indulgence?” Jonathan slid the small box of cigars from his inside pocket, and my eyebrows shot up.
“Are those Cuban?” Ross asked in surprise.
“Like I said, I’ve been saving them for a special occasion. Who’s in?”
“I’ll take one,” I answered because, although I wasn’t a smoker, I’d enjoyed a cigar on occasion during my time in the legion. Sometimes, Leon would bring them back after he’d gone home to visit his family during yearly leave.
Ross indulged, too, while Shay declined, though he was curious to stay and watch us light up. As soon as I took my first drag, my eyes flared. This was better than any cigar I’d smoked in the past. I had to grudgingly accept Jonathan had fine taste.
We stood talking and puffing away for a few minutes when the door to the balcony opened, and Charli appeared. “Oh,” she breathed. “Sorry to interrupt. I’ll just—”
“You’re not interrupting,” Jonathan, the suave bastard, was quick to correct her. “Come join us.” He offered her the box of cigars. “Would you like one?”
“Ah, gosh, I don’t think so. I’ve never smoked a cigar before.”
“Well, let this be your first.”
“She said she doesn’t want one,” I told Jonathan, annoyed that he was being pushy, and moved to Charli’s side. “You can take a puff of mine if you want to try it. You don’t have to smoke a whole one.”
“Oh,” she breathed, coming to stand next to me. Her eyes went to the cigar at my lips before her gaze fluttered away, and she appeared to swallow. She seemed nervous. “No, that’s okay.”
Jonathan began arguing with Shay about paying for the open bar, something they’d been at loggerheads about for weeks. Jonathan, being loaded, wanted to help pay for part of the wedding, but Shay and Maggie continued to refuse his offers. Maggie didn’t feel comfortable letting him pay since they’d only discovered they were related less than a year ago.
“I was actually looking for you,” Charli said, her voice quiet as she shifted closer and lifted her hazel eyes to me. “I was wondering if we could have that talk now before the food is served and everything gets too busy.”
“Sure,” I replied, pulse pounding. My curiosity to know what she wanted to talk about threatened to overpower me. “I think I saw an empty room where we won’t be disturbed.” I stubbed out the end of the cigar then ushered Charli back inside the building. The cloakroom was empty, and there was a small sofa against the back wall. I motioned for Charli to sit before joining her. The sofa was narrow, and my thigh pressed against hers as I gave her my full attention. Again, it was clear she was very nervous.
“So,” she began, slicing her teeth over her lower lip as her eyes lifted. “Are you seeing anyone?”
I blinked, my throat thickening as my expression grew strained. How could she even ask that question? Did she not know how I’d spent the better part of a year wanting her? Wishing I could have her in my bed at night wrapped up in my arms? The very notion of being with anyone else was galling. When I managed to get over my disbelief, I finally answered gruffly, “No, Charli, I’m not seeing anyone. Why? Are you?”
Her eyes grew big and round, and she seemed just as shocked by me throwing the same question back at her as I’d been to be asked it. “No,” she breathed, shaking her head vehemently. “I haven’t been …” She trailed off for a second before gathering herself. “I wasn’t trying to be nosy by asking you. I just want to make sure it’s okay to tell you what I’m about to tell you.”
“And me seeing someone would make it not okay to tell me?”
She nodded profusely. “Oh, yes. You seeing someone would make this particularly awkward.”
Bloody hell, was she pregnant? The thought arose fast, but I dismissed it just as quickly. If Charli were pregnant, she’d be showing, and besides, we’d always used protection.
I reached out, placing my hand gently on her thigh. “You can tell me anything. You don’t need to be nervous.”
“I can’t help my nerves.” She stared at her lap.
“Why?”
“Because I’m in love with you.”
The statement floated in the air, emblazoned itself in my ears. Charli continued staring at her lap, and I practically growled as my hand tightened on her thigh while the other went to her chin, tilting her head up so she had no choice but to look at me.