Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“Okay.” I looked at her latest romantasy novel’s prologue. “Where the hell is the world building, Sasha?”
“Right there on page seven.” She pointed to the screen. “Did you somehow miss that entire paragraph?”
I gave her a blank stare.
“Since you clearly did, I’ll read it aloud.” She sat up straighter. “There was a magical cave in this enchanted desert, tucked away with magical dragons that breathed magical fire.”
I blinked.
“There was so much magic—” She paused for dramatic effect. “That it could only be explained in magical language.”
“That’s it?”
“Uh, yeah, that’s it.” She clasped her hands. “What more world building do you possibly need?”
“Okay.” I shut the laptop for her own sake. “Stop bullshitting and focus on finishing one of your office romances. Now.”
“I’m giving my brain a break,” she said. “Testing out new genres, you know?”
“Just read new genres instead.” I tapped her hand. “Please.”
“You write books, Miss Sasha?” Olivia pushed off her headphones, smiling. “What kind?”
“Um, well…” She glanced at me. “Spicy ones.”
“Like spicy recipes in cookbooks?”
“No.” She snorted. “Like romance.”
“Ohhh.” She tapped her lip. “I haven’t read a book in that genre yet.”
“Then today is your lucky day!” She pulled paperbacks from her purse. “I have the ultimate romance newbie starter kit ready to go. I’ve got a collection of sexy billionaires, some groomsmen who run a wedding business, and ah! An enemies-to-lovers romp that will set your panties on fire!”
“My panties being on fire is a good thing?” she asked.
“No.” I motioned for Sasha to stop. “Olivia doesn’t need to read those stories at her age, Sasha.”
“Oh, please! I was stealing my mom’s romance books and reading them under covers when I was nine.”
“Can you at least blackout the inappropriate words and scenes, then?”
“So, like, all the good parts?”
“Sasha…”
“Okay, okay.” She handed Olivia one of the lighter romance books. “Start with this one, and I’ll get you seven more after I handle a few things for your grumpy nanny.”
“I’m not a grump, Sasha.”
“Anyway—” Sasha waved me away, focusing on Olivia. “Let me walk you through why romance is the best genre in the whole fucking world…”
THIRTY-FOUR
PIERCE
The Jets’ record sat at 25-25, a perfect .500 on the season, which was a miracle.
With our recent 8-0 run, the sports media hailed us as a potential “Cinderella team,” and the online box office for next week’s home games read “Sold Out.”
We were a long shot for the playoffs, but the renewed energy and pride that flowed from the fans to every member of this organization was officially contagious.
It was the reason I was meeting with my top executives at the crack of dawn today.
I didn’t want to let a single second slip through our fingers; we needed to keep this momentum for as long as possible.
As Brian presented ideas about what we should give away at the next game, I glanced at my phone to check on the twins.
Harlow
OMG! LOOK who’s walking now?!!
[video]
I immediately hit play.
William smiled at the camera, kneeling in a leapfrog position.
“Come on, William!” Olivia cheered. “Do it again!”
He rocked forward and slowly stood up straight. Holding out his arms, he waddled to the windows.
Charlotte, Olivia, and Harlow clapped and cheered before the video ended.
“I need to go home.” I stood to my feet.
“What?” “What did he just say?” “He’s leaving?”
“Something urgent has come up,” I said. “I trust that you all can handle the rest of this meeting on your own.”
“Wait a minute.” Denise held up her hand. “The commissioner is coming here this afternoon, and we have three sessions scheduled with the new marketing team you approved.”
“Yeah.” Brian leaned back in his chair. “Is ‘something urgent’ a life-or-death emergency?”
“My son just started walking.” I smiled. “His sister copies everything he does, so I need to make sure I’m there in case she starts walking, too.”
The entire room fell silent.
“I’ll see you all tomorrow.” I headed to the door. “Email me a recap of everything.”
THIRTY-FIVE
HARLOW
On page seventy-three of Pierce’s nanny guide, there was a red and white tabbed section labeled, “If My Children Ever Become Ill.”
If I followed protocol, I would call his most trusted nurse, wait until she arrived to take over, and then use his children’s sick days as my own.
I’d have up to seven free days to go and please as I wanted, or avoid the job altogether.
Yet, I couldn’t bear to leave Olivia’s side. She was frail and hot, and no matter how many times I gave her medicine, she felt worse.
As I place an ice pack against her neck, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
“Hold on, Sasha.” I tucked Olivia under a blanket. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Why are you whispering?”
“Because I’m in Olivia’s room, and she’s sleeping.”
“Oh,” she whispered, too. “I remembered that you have tonight off, so I was thinking you should meet me at Club Rosa’s for drinks. My treat!”
“Can’t.” I pressed a hand against Olivia’s forehead. “She’s has a high fever, so I’m staying here in case she needs me.”