Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“You have a wild imagination.”
“I work with kids, so it comes with the territory.”
“There’s no secret baby, and I’m good with my brother and Haylee.”
“Okay, but it must be difficult to be around them every year for a whole week,” I say quietly, knowing I’m doing exactly what I told myself I wouldn’t.
“This is the first year I’ve come since they got married.” He turns his attention to the water, and I expect that to be the end of it, so when he continues, I hold my breath, afraid he’ll stop talking. “I was pissed when I heard they were together, but they’re actually happy, so I’m over it.”
“You can be happy for them and still be angry.” I nudge his shoulder with mine, the same way I would one of my kids when I’m trying to get them to open up about their feelings. “Were you and her together for a long time?”
“Almost four years.”
“So… a long time,” I surmise.
“I planned on marrying her.” He huffs out a laugh.
“I’m sorry.”
“It is what it is.”
“Yeah.” I let out a breath, at a loss for what to say. I can’t imagine being in his shoes, and I can totally see why his mom would want him to find someone. Not only would it make things easier for everyone else, but it would make it easier for him to be around them if he had a woman he was in love with.
“Have you ever gone jet skiing?” At that question, which seems to come out of nowhere, I turn to look at him.
“What?”
“Jet skiing. Have you ever gone?”
“No, I can barely swim.”
“Go get your swimsuit on.”
“What swimsuit? I didn’t know we were coming to your family’s lake house. I thought I was helping you with work.”
“I’m sure my mom has something you can borrow.” He stands, then pulls me up with him, leaving me without a choice but to go with him.
Chapter 10
Lady Bits
Bright floral prints are not for everyone, and even if you’re short, that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily fit petite-sized clothing. I find this out as I look at myself in the mirror.
Tugging at the top of the suit Janelle was kind enough to let me have, I try to cover my cleavage that is spilling over the top of the heart-shaped bust, but that does nothing but drag the bottom half of the suit up my ass crack.
Turning to the side, I bite my bottom lip and wonder if I should have chosen one of the other bathing suits she tossed at me as soon as Jace asked her if I could borrow something. Now, it’s too late. This one, which was new with tags still attached has now been up close and personal with my lady bits. And even if she wouldn’t care about taking it back, I would definitely feel awkward.
“Penny.” Janelle knocks, sounding concerned. “Is everything okay. How does it fit?”
“It’s…. Well….” I give myself one more glance in the mirror. “It’s covering the most important parts.”
“Pardon?” she calls out, and I sigh before opening the door so she can see for herself.
“Oh.” Her eyes widen as they take me in, then she steps toward me and hovers her hands over my D chest before letting them fall awkwardly to her sides. “You’re a little more… well-endowed than I am.”
“I should tell Jace we’ll go tomorrow,” I whisper, trying to adjust the top that will not adjust unless I suddenly gain magical powers that can enlarge random objects or produce more fabric.
“No, no.” She starts to shake her head frantically. “It looks lovely on you, and Jace is waiting for you down at the dock. Tomorrow, I can run you into town to get something else, but this will work for now.”
“I don’t know.” I shift on my feet and watch her grab a towel off the bed before handing it to me.
“Just wrap yourself up in this, then when you get to the dock, you’ll be putting on a life jacket anyway. It will be fine.”
“Okay,” I give in and wrap the bright-pink towel around my body while she watches.
“Much better.” She smiles proudly, then spins for the door, only to stop and turn to face me once more.
“I also need to say thank you.”
“Thank you? For what?”
“For being kind to Haylee.” She fiddles with her fingers, a sign that lets me know she’s nervous. “I know it’s probably strange having the ex-girlfriend of the man you’re going to marry here, but she really is a sweetheart, and I do hope that with time you two can become friends.”
“I hope so too,” I say quietly, because I know that’s what she needs to hear, and it’s also what I would say if this thing between Jace and me were real.
I learned early on in life how quickly people can be taken away from you, and with my mom’s illness, I learned how precious life truly is. There is no time for a grudge that you might end up regretting when it’s too late to make things right. And even if I do believe Jace has a right to still be angry about what happened between his brother and Haylee, that situation has nothing to do with me. They’re all adults who need to sit down and have a conversation that has most likely never taken place.