Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“I was away,” I mutter, wondering how the hell we got here in less than two minutes while still standing in the foyer.
Spotting the dishes in Frank’s hands, I say, “Can I take those from you?” hoping to change the subject and get this barbecue back on track.
Frank hands them over. “Thank you. I don’t know what’s in there, but if I were to get mugged, I could probably hit him and knock him out.”
Jessika snorts. “In this neighborhood? They’d probably think we were the ones trying to mug them.”
She glances my way with a glimmer in her eye, and I quickly excuse myself to put the dishes in the kitchen before she can make a comment about me being born rich and privileged since she now knows I’m a Kingston.
I set the dishes on the counter, unsure of what the hell to do with them, but thankfully, Julian follows me and lifts the lids to check them out.
“Mmm, mac ’n’ cheese. That will go perfectly with the burgers I’m grilling.”
“I know it’s your favorite,” his mom says sweetly from behind us. “The other dish is a homemade apple pie.”
“Hell yeah,” Julian says. “Good thing Ana bough—made other desserts because this pie is all mine.”
“Oh! What did you make?” Helen asks.
“Lemon bars and, um, cake pops.”
I made sure everything looked like it could be homemade.
“Sounds yummy,” Helen says as the doorbell rings again.
“I’ll get it,” I offer, leaving Julian with his family.
I open the door, expecting my dad and Selene, but instead find Ryder and his wife, Nora, standing there, both looking like they’d rather be anywhere but here.
“Hello,” I say, putting on my best hostess smile. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Thank you for having us,” Nora says, sticking a fake smile on her face.
Just as they walk through the door, my dad and Selene come around the corner.
“Anastasia,” my dad says, opening his arms to hug me. “Thank you for the invite.”
“Thanks for coming.”
I finish giving him a hug and then give Selene one. I don’t know her well, but every time I’m around her, she’s always so nice. I can see why my dad loves her.
After introductions are made, Julian herds everyone outside and offers them a drink. Jessika lies out by the pool with her mom while Frank offers to help Julian man the grill, and my dad and Selene sit at the table with Nora and Ryder.
As I stand here, wondering what the hell I’m supposed to be doing, it hits me how long it’s been since I’ve had to be social. When my parents were married, Mom would host parties all the time. Until they started drifting apart and she stopped. Then, it was as if an invisible line had been drawn, and while Dad would still have his functions and dinners, Mom and I never attended—which is why I never met Julian or his family. Soon after, I left for college and then London, not returning until now.
Living in London meant focusing on school and work. The only reason I became friends with Paige was because we worked together. For the past several years, I’ve been an introvert, and I didn’t realize until now how much it’s affected me. I used to be the life of the party, but now, I feel like I barely belong.
As if Julian can sense my hesitancy, his gaze roams across the expansive backyard and finds me. He smiles softly and nods once, beckoning me over to him. And like a moth to a flame, I go.
“I was just telling my dad how you spent the past several years in London,” Julian says, sliding the arm he’s not using to grill across my shoulders and pulling me into his side. “He wants to take my mom there for their anniversary. Any pointers?”
I spend the next several minutes sharing my favorite parts of England while Julian grills. I can’t help but notice that the entire time, he makes it a point to touch me. Whether it’s to kiss my temple or squeeze my hip, he constantly keeps the connection going. I’ve never considered myself an affectionate person, but with every touch and kiss, I find myself craving more. And it’s in that moment that I realize I’m falling for Julian. It wasn’t planned—if anything, it only complicates things—but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s happening.
“Food will be ready in about ten minutes,” Julian says, snapping me from my thoughts. “Wanna go heat up the sides and set them out?”
“Sure,” I rasp, my emotions clogging my throat.
I step away from him, but before I can get far, he pulls me back into his arms and presses a quick kiss to my lips.
“What was that for?” I ask.
“Just needed my Ana fix to hold me over.”
He playfully winks, and I feel my face heating up, suddenly shy with his dad watching and chuckling next to us.