Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
She didn’t want me. She wanted what my last name and an exclusive business partnership could offer her. She wanted someone who didn’t care about things like love, loyalty, and trust. She wanted me to be like my father, even if she didn’t know that’s what she was implying.
And I would never be him.
“Here’s my answer to that then,” I said, and stomped right out of my door.
BRYNN
“My last name isn’t up for discussion.” I heard the irritation in Weston’s voice all the way from my spot in the kitchen.
“If you want this to continue between us you’re going to have to make a smarter decision!” Lena practically screeched.
“You’re throwing an ultimatum on me?”
“Maybe I am!”
My heart thudded anxiously in my chest as I stood frozen, one hand on the kitchen island for support as I waited to hear what Weston would say. Surely he wouldn’t be backed into a corner like that, not for something so important.
“Here’s my answer to that then,” Weston said, and I heard the bedroom door open.
I hurried out of the kitchen, Weston’s favorite coffee concoction in hand as I rushed to catch up with him as he bounded for the garage.
“Thank you,” he said, his tone altogether different and this side of gracious as he took the offered thermos from my hand. “I know we usually do our check-ins here, but I need to get out of here. I’ll see you at the marketing firm, though? We can do it there, right?”
“Absolutely,” I said.
He smiled down at me. “You’re going to do great, you know.”
Confidence slid over the nerves that had been tangling with excitement all morning. Today would be my first day at the marketing firm, and I wanted to make him proud.
“Thanks, Weston,” I said. “And don’t worry, we’ll figure out how to balance everything. I won’t leave you in the trenches that I call your schedule.”
He laughed, nodding before he paused in the doorway, his features shifting to irritation when he heard drawers slamming in his bedroom. His eyes met mine, a silent, apologetic question hanging there.
“Yes,” I said, then motioned over my shoulder. “I’ll handle that.”
Relief pooled in his eyes. “I don’t pay you enough.”
“You really don’t,” I teased, grinning at him as he winked at me and disappeared into the garage.
I waited until I heard him headed down the graveled drive before I pulled out my phone and tapped a few keys.
The squeaky sound of Lena’s voice echoed in my ears as I headed toward the master bedroom. I didn’t necessarily mind handling all of Weston’s day-to-night activities, but God, did I really have to deal with this before I’d had coffee?
I smoothed out my simple blouse and high-waist slacks combo, mainly just eating up as much time as I possibly could before I had to go into Weston’s bedroom. Hesitating with my hand on the knob, I leaned close to the door, straining my ears for any sort of sound—sniffling, grumbling, anything—but there was nothing to give me a hint at what I’d be dealing with once I walked through that door.
Blowing out a breath, I stopped lingering and pushed through it. I didn’t have to knock, but I did for a quick warning. Weston was already halfway to the office, and even though he hadn’t spoken the words out loud, he’d made one thing very clear—get Lena out of here as quickly as possible.
I stepped into the room, instantly hit with all things Weston. His signature scent hung in the air, the spiced citrus and warm woodsy smell swirling around me in a way that always made me feel at home in the oddest way. Probably because he’d smelled the same since the day I met him years ago in high school.
His bedroom was clean but not overly kept. There were books stacked in random piles on his nightstand and dresser, his home iPad on its charging station next to his bed. A cushioned chair rested in the corner of his room next to a little shelf of more books—the exact place I kept randomly sliding romance novels between all the non-fiction he selected to line the shelves. The notion made me smile, and I wondered when he’d finally figure out what I’d been doing for the last year and a half.
The attached bathroom light glowed beneath the closed door, and that was enough to wipe the smile from my face. The last thing I needed right now was for Lena to walk out of that bathroom freshly showered, naked, and looking as perfect as a movie star.
“Lena?” I called as I knocked on the door.
“Ugh, what?” she answered, the sound of bottles clinking together rattling from the other side.
“I’m so sorry to bother you,” I said, keeping my voice as sincere and even as possible. It’s not her fault Weston wanted to sleep with her and not marry her. But it was her fault that she was more interested in his status and wealth than what actually made him him. “But your car will be here in fifteen minutes. I wanted to make sure you were prepared.”