Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“No, never. At least not with me. He might have done something like this before with his other friends because honestly they didn’t seem as shocked by the bet as I did. That was the one and only time he ever said that around me, but I wasn’t actually included in the bet.”
“Wait, but you were by the door.”
“To keep them from getting to you. He didn’t include me, and I sure as fuck wasn’t about to take part in it. He said it to the guys at the poker table. I was in the kitchen by myself trying to think of an excuse to leave since Luke wasn’t coming. Paul made the bet with them before I walked in the room, but I heard everything.”
“Then why did he say you were part of it?”
“To hurt you,” I say and then brush my thumb over her cheek. “Which hurts me more.”
“Why?” She sniffs and then shakes her head. “Why would he want to hurt either of us? I’ve never done anything to him except exist.”
“You threaten his place with his father. Or at least you do by extension of your mother.” I put her mug of tea on the table before I take her hands in mine. “I should have told you sooner. I’m so sorry that I kept it from you. The longer I held that secret, the harder it got to admit. Although I didn’t have any direct part in that bet, I was there, and I went after you. There’s no doubt that’s what it looked like to all of them when I greeted you at the door and then stayed on your heels all night long.”
“You really did.” She sniffs again as another tear falls, but she smiles this time, and my chest warms.
“The other night in the restaurant, I didn’t know how to tell you the whole story right then. I wanted to explain it to you but—”
“But I ran out on you.”
“You had every right to, and I don’t blame you for it. It would have been a shock for me to hear, and I don’t know that I would have reacted any better.”
She reaches for me this time, and without hesitating, I pull her onto my lap. Her knees go on either side of my legs as she straddles me so we are eye to eye.
“I’m sorry I ran.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. Can you forgive me?”
She nods, and before she can say another word, I press my lips to hers.
Chapter Thirteen
CHLOE
“Kitten.” Sawyer reaches over and puts his hand on my bare thigh. It’s a comforting touch, and I’m reminded of how he’s always good at reading my mood. “Everything is going to be fine.” He’s reassuring me, but I don’t feel good about tonight. I know he’s still pissed about how it all went down between him and Paul. “Maybe we shouldn’t go.”
“I promised my mom,” I remind him. “Plus, I want to tell them about the babies.” I am dying to, but I want to do it in person.
When she called and invited us to a family dinner, I agreed we’d come. Then she let me know that Paul and his fiancée would be there as well. Sawyer tried to talk me out of it because he’s worried about it stressing me out. It isn’t often Paul shows up for family dinners, but maybe things will change now that he’s getting married.
“If Paul knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his mouth in line.”
“And if he doesn’t?” I ask, not wanting another fight to break out.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
None of Sawyer’s anger toward Paul has lessened. If anything, he’s gotten more irritated. Whenever Paul’s name is mentioned, I can see the bitterness in his eyes. My husband is the sweetest man I’ve ever met, but clearly there’s another side to him. One that came out at the restaurant.
“Sawyer.” I grab his hand with both of mine and try to plead for him to be calm. The car rolls to a stop, and he turns to face me.
“He tried to ruin my fucking marriage. Not only that but he spoke about you like that in a room full of people. I won’t tolerate it.” My face heats thinking about him loudly talking about my virginal panties at the party. Why does Paul always have to be such a dick?
“Well, maybe everyone can make up tonight. Their wedding is days away,” I offer, and Sawyer only shakes his head. “I don’t get what Kelly sees in him. She’s so sweet. The two of them together confuse me.”
“When Paul is sober, he can put on a good act.”
“Is it terrible I want to tell her to run?” I confess.
“She has to know to some degree who he is.”