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)
“No crying.” She leans back to look at me, grabbing my face in both her hands. “We’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“I know.” I use the sleeve of my sweater to wipe away the wetness from my cheeks.
A move that is pointless, because the moment Daniel hugs me, I start to cry again.
“When we come visit, you and I will go fishing,” he says softly, giving me a tight squeeze before letting me go.
“I’d love that.” I sniffle, wiping my cheeks again before I hug Haylee.
“When you get a second, accept the friend request I sent you this morning,” she says, rocking me from side to side.
“I will.” I let her go, then hug Brice quickly before I pick up Dash. “Be good.”
“I can’t promise that.” His arms tighten around my neck as I laugh, and with one last kiss to his cheek, I place him on his feet and look at Janet.
“Well, come on. Let’s get this over with,” she orders, holding her arms wide, and I walk into her embrace with a smile on my face. “I wasn’t sure at first, but I think you two are going to be just fine,” she whispers against my ear, and those stupid tears fall harder.
“Thanks,” I whisper back, then wrap my arms around my middle as I watch Jace say his goodbyes to everyone. When he’s done, he takes my hand in his, and starts to walk me to the Jeep.
“Hold on, hold on.” Eva shouts and we both turn and watch her run our direction with a trophy that is about as big as she is. “You can’t leave without this.” She holds the trophy out to me.
“Oh I couldn’t.” I start to shake my head no, but she shoves it in my arms leaving me with no choice but to take hold of it.
“We all agreed that you get to keep it for the year.” Janelle laughs and I look though everyone gathered around us, then down at the stupid trophy I’m holding, and burst into tears.
“Oh no.” Eva whispers and the trophy is taken from me so that Jace can turn me in his arms and wrap them around me.
“It’s okay cupcake.” Is it though? I don’t think it is. “She doesn’t like goodbyes.” Jace says over the top of my head and I know everyone is probably looking at him like what the hell is wrong with her?
“I’m alright.” I drag in a breath and wipe my cheeks.
“Are you sure?” He asks as his fingers go under my chin forcing it up so I don’t have a choice but to look at him.
“Yeah.” I nod and without a word he shakes his head then leans down to kiss my forehead.
“Sorry.” I face Eva and her face goes soft before she gives me a hug.
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay.” I take in a shaky breath when she lets me go then Janelle hugs me again.
When she lets me go Jace takes my hand in his and walks me to my door while his dad puts the trophy in the trunk.
“Hey.” He cups my cheek after I’m seated, and I meet his gaze.
“I’m alright,” I lie, and he gives me a soft smile that says he knows I’m lying, before touching his lips to mine and shutting the door.
When he gets in behind the wheel, I wave out my window to everyone watching us, then let out a long breath. It’s done. It’s all done, and now I don’t know what to do with myself, or even what to say to Jace. “Thank you for the orgasms and the week with your family” sounds beyond stupid, and there is no way I even want to talk about the money, because honestly, I don’t even want it anymore. And if he brings it up, I’m liable to throat-punch him.
Really, I feel like I need to take a few days to sort out my emotions with wine and lots and lots of ice cream.
“I want you to come home with me,” he says, breaking the silence that has settled between us, and I look over at him. “Or we could stay at your place, but since my house is closer to the office, the commute Monday will be easier.”
“You want me to stay with you?”
“Yeah.” He reaches over for my hand and wraps his fingers around mine.
“At your house in San Francisco?” I ask just to confirm.
“Yeah.” He laughs, glancing over at me while squeezing my hand. “Are you all right?”
Am I? I don’t know what’s happening, and I’m too chicken to ask him straight out, because damn if living in denial isn’t easier than him telling me that he just wants to sleep with me a few more times.
“Cupcake, you need to talk to me. I don’t know what’s going on inside your head, and I didn’t take the mind-reading class while I was in college.”