Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“No, please go,” I beg. “They went to get breakfast.” I heard them leave this morning; it’s what woke me.
“Oriana.”
“Jake, it’s best you go,” I say more forcefully. He nods, and this time he does leave, though I can tell by his expression it’s the last thing he wants. I hear the front door close with a click before I get up and go straight for the shower. I sit down on the cold tiled floor and let the hot water pour over me.
Did that happen to him when he was very little?
And how could someone do that to a child?
I didn’t know any of this about him, but then again, I don’t really know much about him, as he keeps everything to himself.
A knock comes on the door, and my mother’s voice filters through, letting me know they have breakfast when I’m done. Managing to stand and wash, I get out and dry off with my white, fluffy bath sheet. Looking in the mirror at my neck, which is red, I can already see that it’s changing color. Will it bruise? I really hope not.
Sneaking back into my room, I grab a turtleneck and put it on before I join them. My mother smiles when she sees me, and there is no doubt Simone looks like death.
“We saw Jake leaving when we got back,” my mother says. “He stayed the night?”
“He did,” I answer and pull out a bagel from the bag on the counter. It’s colorful and filled with the most delicious cream cheese imaginable—birthday cake flavor.
“So, you two are a thing?” she asks.
I look to Simone, who is also waiting to see what I say.
“We are not a thing. It was just—”
“Sex,” Simone interrupts, to which I nod.
“I’m just saying that he seems guarded, from what I can tell. But his eyes, when he sees you, it’s clear you aren’t just a one-night stand to him.”
I can’t help but blush at my mother’s words.
“He has demons, a lot of them, and I don’t even know all of them,” I reply, my chest tightening.
“Honey, we aren’t meant to know every tidbit of everyone’s lives. They choose to share with you out of love and respect…” She pauses, searching my eyes. “Did something happen to scare you away from him?”
My hand goes to my neck, but I don’t want to tell her about that because that would mean I would defend him and tell her why he did it. And I have a feeling Jake doesn’t share things like that openly.
“So, are you going to Italy with him?” Simone asks.
Wow! I forgot he’d asked me that question. And I can't believe I am even contemplating going. Because I am, but I’m not sure. I tell him to go away, but I also relish having him near me. What does that make me?
“I’ll decide on Monday,” I say, smiling. “This weekend, since Mom is here, let’s go shopping.”
“Oh, you know how I love to shop,” Simone coos.
It’s one of our favorite things to do together. She always gives the best fashion advice and is honest as all hell.
“I’m planning to pass back out and sleep the day away,” Simone says. Just then, the door opens, and Harvey walks in. “Maybe I will go after all,” she mumbles. Harvey smiles at Mom and me before he spots Simone. I’m not really sure about the status of what they are, and I don’t plan on getting involved either. But I can tell by the way he is looking at Simone, he likes her, and she likes him too.
“Harvey, you’ll keep Simone company, won’t you, if your sister and I go shopping?” my mother asks as she kisses Harvey on the cheek.
“Of course I will,” he agrees, without hesitation.
“Great. See you two later.” I smile at both of them, and I notice Simone looks anywhere but at him while he stares openly at her.
As soon as we’re outside, my mother starts to laugh. “They have it bad.” See, she can see through anything and is always brutally honest. I used to hate it as a teenager, but somehow grew to appreciate it the older I got. When my friends would lie to me about clothes and small things to make me happy, or they’d tell me things they thought I wanted to hear, my mother never did. And I’m happy she’s here.
“So, what happened with you and Kyler?” she asks as we reach the sidewalk.
“It was just too much, I think.”
“Well, Kyler wasn’t enough, so I think you may need to make a choice.”
“Maybe.”
“Nope. You pick either or neither. But those are your only options. And I’m pretty sure I know which way you are going.”
“Oh, you do?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Of course. I’m your mother. I know you best.”
“And who, or which way, will I choose?” I ask as we walk along the street before we stop at a cute little boutique.