Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Enjoying yourself?” my mom’s newest conquest, Garrett Hughes, asked as he stepped up beside her, placing a hand on her bare lower back.
She turned her man-killer smile on him. “This is incredible,” she gushed. “The energy is intoxicating.”
The slight lift of his lips and glint of approval in his eyes made me want to groan. This was more serious than she’d let on. When she’d come home with the dresses and accessories for us to wear with designer names, I’d been concerned. Being picked up by a limo, taken to a private airstrip, escorted onto a private jet had all made me question if this was another of those moments my mother’s magic had made happen or if it was something more. That the man had fallen for the Fawn Parker enchantment.
I was sure normal girls would be thrilled for their mother. Garrett Hughes was a powerful billionaire. If I believed in fairy tales, I would be right on board. Because if Mom was taken care of, I could finally go start my life. Move out and travel the world. Just me and my camera. Find my own path. I knew college wasn’t something I’d get a chance at until later in life. When I’d made enough money to afford it.
However, I wasn’t most girls, and my mom was not a normal mom. She was a beautiful face with a wild soul that couldn’t be held on to for long. I had to be here when it all fell apart or she needed to run from it all. It was a burden that got heavier with each passing year.
We had only parked our camper in Ocala, Florida, three weeks ago. Enough time for me to get a job at a coffee shop and Mom to get a job as a cocktail waitress at an elite private club. Our plan had been for us to stop long enough to make some money before continuing north. We had spent a year in Miami, and for us, that had been a long stop. Mom was determined that we were going up the East Coast this time. The plan had not been for her to start dating one of the wealthy members from the club where she worked.
I had googled Garrett Hughes. Even if Mom wanted to finally settle down and get married, this would not be the man to do that with. He didn’t have a good track record with marriage. The number of beautiful women that he’d been photographed with over the past year alone was impressive. If the day came my mom decided to marry, she needed a man who adored her and the wild, free spirit that she was. The life this man lived was not one my mother knew how to fit into. She was beautiful, but she wasn’t elegant and refined, like the other women in attendance. The thing about my mom was, she didn’t give one small fuck about that. Fawn didn’t know what it was like to feel insecure.
“How would you like to go down to the winner’s circle suite for the next race?” Garrett asked my mom. “We can always return here to the mansion if you prefer it.”
The fact that this elaborate room with celebrity chefs preparing the food and a concierge waiting on our every need was called the mansion made me want to roll my eyes. Wealthy people made up crap to spend their money on. Until today, I’d had no idea the level of indulgences provided to those who could afford it.
“That sounds wonderful.” Mom placed her hand on his arm, then glanced over at me. “What about you? Want to go, Gypsi?”
Her eyes danced with the thrill of adventure. She loved experiencing new things. Me? Not so much. I felt completely out of my element. I also felt as if Garrett wanted some time with Mom today without her nineteen-year-old daughter tagging along. He’d generously provided my outfits and travel for the weekend, along with my mom’s. I was happy to let him have her to himself for a while.
“Is it okay if I stay here?” I asked.
“Sure, I think that’s fine.” She tilted her head back to look up at her date.
Garrett gazed down at my mother’s upturned face as if she were the most ravishing creature on earth. He was not her type. She normally went for the bad boys. The unstable, often-dangerous, tattooed sort with motorcycles. He leaned down and brushed a kiss close to her ear as he whispered something that made her sink in closer to him. The heated spark that ignited in Garrett’s eyes had me turning my attention back to the track below.
“When does Hughes Farm have another race?” Mom asked. Her enthusiasm wasn’t fake. It never was. She was enjoying this.
“Shakespeare races in Churchill Downs soon. We can watch it from the winner’s circle suite. You’ll enjoy the experience,” he replied with clear affection in his tone.