Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“You still think he’s trying to trick you after everything?”
“No, no, of course not. I do believe he cares, a lot. I just don’t know if this is something he cares about long-term.” She shrugged. “I don’t know what to do.”
“What does it feel like when you’re with him?”
“Like we’re the only two people in the world and for the first time in my life, I don’t have to care what anyone else thinks or feels about me. It feels real to me. Last night was the best night of my life, and I don’t know if I can walk away from that. Do you think I could be … falling for him?”
“I think that’s something only you can know.”
“I don’t know if I can handle this. What if it’s not long-term? What if he likes the club women more?”
Lily reached out, taking her hand. “Not all men need more than one woman to satisfy them. Some need just one.”
Chloe stared down at her mother’s wedding ring finger. “Dad never got you a diamond engagement ring.”
Lily pulled her hand away, and Chloe watched as she teased the ring across her finger. “Eagle was here last night.”
She was surprised. Unless it was serious club business or he had to go out of town for whatever reason, Eagle was always home.
“And?”
“He proposed.”
“He did?”
“Yeah, and I said yes. He told me he’d been in love with me for a while, and well, I feel differently when I’m around him.”
“You don’t think it’s too soon, after Dad?” Chloe asked.
“I said to Eagle I haven’t been a divorced woman for long and I loved Kurt so deeply.”
“He still wanted to marry you?”
“He said that he’d seen my marriage decline and knew it was going to end. No way could a woman take that kind of pain and betrayal. He’s willing to wait for as long as I am to make sure my feelings are in the same place,” she said. “How can you not love a man with patience, Chloe? This shouldn’t be about me. This is all about you.”
“No. No. This is about you,” Chloe said. The less they talked about her and Alfie the better. “This is a huge step. Do you love Eagle?”
“I think I do. I … he’s … different.”
“Different?”
“From your father. I really shouldn’t be talking to you about this. I loved your father.”
“Mom, you don’t have to justify my feelings when it comes to Dad. You know that. He broke your heart more than once, and I had to see how upset he made you. I’ve never seen you smile as much as you do when you’re with Eagle. He makes you happy, doesn’t he?”
“He does, but … he’s a biker. He’s got huge responsibilities, and I don’t know if I want to be part of that, and it sounds so selfish to me.”
“No, of course it doesn’t. You’re not a selfish person at all.” She hugged her mom. “You have a right to be happy.”
“I do?” Lily asked.
Chloe laughed. “Do you think you don’t have any right to be happy?”
“Your father.”
“Mom, don’t try and do this because you think you owe him or me, or anyone else. If Eagle makes you happy, then trust in your feelings. I’ve seen the way he is around you, and I think it’s amazing how sweet he is.”
Lily smiled. “He does make me feel … alive. Is that weird? He even took me on his bike the other day, and I’ve never felt such a rush before in my life.”
“Then don’t worry about it, or me, or anything else. Be happy. I know I am.”
“And what does this mean for you and leaving?”
“It means … I don’t know what it means. Part of me thinks I should just carry on. What if it doesn’t last the rest of the year and I change my plans?”
“And what is the other part of you saying? I know my daughter, and she will always have two sides of herself competing in this race.”
She sighed. “She’s wondering if she should stay and give this a try. I’m so confused.”
“Honey, you don’t have to make any decisions right away.”
“I don’t?”
“No, do what you have to do. Let this run its course. You know you want to.” Lily took her hand. “We’re just a couple of silly women overthinking every single aspect of our lives, and we should just enjoy what we’ve got.”
“You’re right. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetie.”
****
Later that night Alfie climbed through Chloe’s bedroom window. His father was downstairs with Lily and he couldn’t exactly sneak into the house, so he had no choice but to come to his girl through her bedroom window.
“I don’t know how they do it in the movies to make it look so effortless.”
“You know they’re not really climbing up a building. It’s all green rooms, props, ladders.”