Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
I open my mouth to argue, but really need to go. “I’ll call you later.”
“No, Ari, I’ll see you later and don’t forget my mom gets here tomorrow afternoon. You two are staying with me for the weekend.” He kisses me quickly, squeezes my ass, and walks away.
Exasperated, I get into the car and go back to work.
“Are you looking for reasons for the two of you not to work?” Sophie takes a sip of her wine and raises her eyebrows at me.
“Not at all. Don’t you understand how this would upset me?”
“Not really. I think it’s hot. Especially after what I think happened this weekend. He’s already declared his undying love and devotion to you. Reed’s always been intense. His protective nature comes out when it has to do with his family. Look what he did when he found out about his sister’s miscarriage—he hid his own child to shield her from the hurt and wanted to beat the dad up.”
“I agree with Sophie, dear, you’ve got to pick your battles and this doesn’t seem like a good one.” Katy pats my shoulder.
“You guys are no help! Whose side are you on?”
“I didn’t realize there were sides. Your protective, head over heels boyfriend wants to get to the bottom of a deception that took something precious away from him. If Luke were here, he’d be saying the same thing. Give up some of the fucking control and bend a little.”
“Jesus, Soph, have I pissed you off? This is the second time you have jumped my ass when it comes to Reed.”
“No, you just don’t understand. I need you to try for this. Don’t let it be one-sided. I love you like a sister and when you lost your parents, we were just kids. I watched you grieve but Katy was there. You were resilient and amazed everyone around you with your ability to pick up the pieces.”
Tears fill her eyes and she shares a glance with Grandma Katy I can’t understand. “But, Ari, with Reed it was different. I won’t relive the situation, but you shut down completely. The resilience I once saw was gone and I was really scared. It was a different kind of grief and it didn’t go away. I prayed every single day that you would be okay. Once Davis was here and healthy, I prayed for you to move on and not let the misery pour into your lives. You are an amazing mother and friend, but I still knew something was missing. I was scared you would never tell Davis about his dad and he was conceived out of love. No matter who you went out with, there was never a spark in your eyes. But the day you saw Reed on the beach, I could hear it in your voice. It was back. The tinge of hope I had you would be okay blossomed. Then I prayed for the ultimate love story for you. I know I’m a sap and believe in the happily ever after that hardly happens. But I want that for you. Now every time we talk, you are on some kick about his actions pissing you off. Can’t you at least try and see where he’s coming from?”
Grandma sniffs beside me and there is a lump in my throat I can’t get rid of. “That’s the most selfless thing anyone has ever told me.” I croak.
“She’s right, sweetie. Sophie’s shared this with me and I agree. A glimmer of hope of you returning came when Reed showed up.” Katy pats my hand.
“Holy hell! How did this happen?” I cry not even hiding the tears falling down my face.
“Babe, it happened when you fell back in love. You and Reed have a cosmic connection, and you need to support him. I imagine he will need to be reeled in during your lifetime together because men can be idiots. But this is not one of those times. Go with this.”
“Okay, but I’m scared. Not only about finding these girls but also about everything. We have a lot of hurdles to jump. Not just our careers, but our whole relationship is different.”
“Arianna, have I ever told you about me and your grandfather and the obstacles we faced in the beginning?” Katy asks softly reaching for my hand.
I shake my head because even as much as I know about my grandparents, I thought their life together was perfect.
“Well, we met when I was very young, sixteen I think. He was eighteen and completely off limits. He was from a very good family but my parents wouldn’t budge because of the age issue. I wasn’t allowed to date him. My brother and sister helped me hide our relationship, always covering for me and vouching I was with them. Sean decided to enlist after high school in the Navy. Back then, things were much different. But his patriotism was not lost on my parents. After weeks of begging, my parents finally agreed to let me go to the last school dance with him, it’s called prom nowadays. We had to double date with my brother, but we didn’t care.