Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Okay.”
“But I’m going to warn you one more time. When we meet, run. Run away as fast as you can.”
“Joshua,” I giggle.
“You laugh. I mean it, gorgeous.”
My face hurts from smiling. I feel so much better. I don’t know how this will all work out, but I have this gut feeling that it will.
Chapter 18
All Better
Shawna
Three days later…
Why is it so hard for people to understand that I just flew twelve hours and spent another four getting settled into my apartment? I’m so freaking tired, but my phone won’t stop ringing and someone is ringing the doorbell insistently.
“Grr,” I growl into my pillow. “Why?”
I nearly sob as I drag my exhausted body from the bed and head for the door, continuing to ignore my phone. I don’t have it in me to talk to anyone right now.
Mom wanted me to call as soon as I got into my new place, but I was so tired and overwhelmed. I still don’t have a camera, so I might be headed back home soon anyway.
“Good day, love. Shawna Norris?” The carrier guy asks as I open the door.
“Yeah.”
“Great, I just need your signature here.”
I take the pen from him and sign off. He takes the pen and paperwork back, then steps back and grabs a huge box to hand to me. My brows shoot up to my hairline.
I’m not expecting anything. No one even knows my address yet. I take the box over to the table and set it down.
A smile comes to my face when I read who it’s from. Joshua Nikolaou. I can’t help wondering why he doesn’t go by his real last name Kylix. Even when he used to model, although he spelled it differently, he still used it.
“Oh, my freaking God,” I scream when I finally get the box open. “I think I love him.”
I hug the new camera to my chest as I smile down into the box filled with a camera bag, new lens, and little odds and ends I really don’t need but appreciate just the same. I can’t believe he did this.
I rush to find my phone. When I find it, it rings again. It’s one of my friends from back home. I ignore the call and pull up Josh’s number.
“Hey, gorgeous. How was the trip? Did you get settled in?”
“Yes,” I say with a huge smile on my face. “You bought me a new camera. You’re my favorite person in the world right now.”
“It’s nothing. Now you can stick to being amazing and live out your dream.”
“This means so much to me. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. By the way, your other camera was found and it’s on its way back to the States. I figured since it has sentimental value, you’d want to keep it safe at home. This one you don’t have to worry about. It’s meant to explore and experience things with you.”
“Are you kidding? This one has just as much sentimental value. I’m never losing it. I’ll keep it safe and with me everywhere I go.”
He chuckles. “There is a promise I want you to make me.”
“Oh?”
“Never let anything cause you to give up, Shawna. No matter what’s going on, never give up. Remember, I’m here waiting to talk to you and help you figure it out. There’s no need to give up.”
“I promise. Thanks again.”
“Anytime. Looks like we better start planning that trip to Crete. You have a new camera to shoot me with,” he says with a smile in his deep voice.
“You’re really going to pose for me?”
“I said I would.”
“Skittles says all you guys are assholes. I don’t get that from you.”
He scoffs. “You haven’t interacted with me on the right day. I live up to my part when provoked. Trust me.”
“Well, today, you’re my hero.”
“Well, the Bat-Signal just went up. I have to go, baby girl. Be safe, have fun, and knock ’em dead. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Kelex
I hang up the phone with a huge smile on my face. I’m tempted to look up a picture of Shawna just to get a peek at that face. I wonder if the smile in my head matches the real deal.
I pull up Google on my laptop and type in the daughter of Councilwoman Monica Norris. Before the results pop up, the doorbell rings. I quickly change my mind and close the window.
Instead, I head to my front door to answer it. I laugh to myself as I find none other than Jeff on my doorstep. For someone who hated this place, he’s here an awful lot.
“What’s up?” I say as I pull the door open.
“Your dad has fucked me out of a deal again,” he gripes and moves past me to walk into the house.
I roll my shoulders back. My father and I haven’t crossed paths just yet. I think that’s for the best.