Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“What did he do?”
“We’d gone out to the movies and watched one of his horror films that he loved so much. I kept building up the courage to say I didn’t think we should see each other anymore. Ugh, we came out of the movie, and it was crowded. There were people everywhere and I was still reeling from what I had watched, and he sunk down on one knee and then as loud as he could, he told me I was the most beautiful woman in the world and that the past three months had been the best months of his life. He told me how much he loved me and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. With everyone watching he sold me a lie, of building a family together, of a life I had always wanted. I fell for every single word, and it was all just one big fat lie.” She growled. “So, no, I don’t love my ex-husband. With everyone around, I couldn’t say no. He looked sincere with every word, and it was all just a bunch of lies, designed to stop me from breaking up with him. We were married by the end of the month. That was how fast it happened. Within one year, he’d risen up the firm’s ranks. He used me at dinner parties and all his work-based formal events. That was what he did.” She moved toward the pesto. “So, I know that I no longer love my ex. He stole time from me. He ruined my dream and yes, he was the first guy I was ever with, and it was all lies. So, trust me when I say I am not missing a man who never really existed. It was all a freaking lie.”
“Do you want me to get the whiskey?” Dylan said.
“No, I don’t need it, because that is the other glorious thing. I’m so over it.”
****
Stepping foot onto the romantic island, Dylan had doubts about whether it was a good idea to bring Robin here. Buttercup had been wriggling in his arms, and the moment they stepped onto the beach, he let her down and she just bolted across the sandy line. The water was out, so they didn’t have to worry. Their bags had already been taken into the house.
They had been mistaken multiple times as a couple. Neither he nor Robin had corrected them. It was just easier not to explain they were both divorced and had sworn off the opposite sex. They were friends. That was all. Friends who enjoyed each other’s company.
For them to get here, Robin had no choice but to postpone the builder until they returned.
Dylan didn’t even want to think of their homes right now. They were away and it was peaceful, which was exactly what he wanted. He watched Buttercup running across the beach and couldn’t help but smile as she ran around, loving the freedom.
“This is beautiful,” Robin said.
He couldn’t deny it. There was a reason he chose this place—for romance and to make up for what he had seen as a failing on his part.
No, he wasn’t going to do it. He wasn’t going to think about his ex or what she’d made him think about his own shortcomings. That was what he hated more than anything. She tried to blame everything on him, including their whole failing marriage. He’d been there. All she had wanted from him was his money and the position of being married to him.
“Are you okay?” Robin asked.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just having another of my grumpy moments.”
“It’s good to be grumpy.”
This made him snort. “It is?”
“Yeah, if it’s for the right reason. You’re not grumpy with me and that is a good thing.” She reached out and placed a hand on his arm.
He loved it when she touched him. They had been living together for four days and now were on the verge of spending three weeks together on this island. He told her to pack for the heat and to enjoy peace and relaxation. Dylan didn’t know how he was going to be able to cope with Robin for three weeks. Just living with her for a couple of days was already too much. He found himself in a constant state of arousal.
“I’m pretty sure we can both be a little grumpy.”
Dylan thought over the past year, and in all honesty, he couldn’t place a time when he had seen Robin grumpy.
“You’re not grumpy.”
“Trust me, I have been. I’ve sworn off all men, and when I found out I had a man for a next-door neighbor, I wasn’t in the best of moods. I was even tempted to call the whole deal off.”
“What changed?” Dylan asked.
“I don’t know. I couldn’t say the words, and the previous owner was a guy, and I just really, really, really wanted the house.” She shrugged. “So I stuck around, and then for the past year I have lived the complete opposite of how my ex wanted to live.”