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)
“Is your boss-slash-boyfriend paying you overtime for that?
No. “Of course. Talk to you later.”
I slid a thermometer between Olivia’s lips and waited for the beep.
Still 101.
“You’re still here?” She croaked. “Why?”
“Shhhh.” I smiled at her. “Focus on getting some rest.”
“You’re supposed to be gone,” she said. “Uncle Brooks said you had the whole weekend off. He’ll take care of me.”
“I’m sure he will, but I’m in here until the morning, in case the twins give him trouble.” I motioned for her to zip her lips. “Go to sleep.”
She stared at me for several minutes before shutting her eyes. “I love you, Miss Hawthorne.”
“I love you, too.”
THIRTY-SIX
HARLOW
Sasha
Soooo you caught whatever Olivia had?
The twins did, too.
They got better and I didn’t, though…I think it’s the flu…
Did he offer to cover your medical bills?
Worse. He gave me a whole week off to recover.
“Feel better soon, Miss Hawthorne.” Jerry held the back door open for me. “Get rest like Mr. Dawson suggested.”
“I’d rather recover back at the condo,” I said. “Take me back, Jerry.”
“I have orders.” He looped his hand in mine and escorted me to the front door.
“Mr. Dawson is sending dinner shortly, along with two members of his medical team.”
“I’m fine, I promise.” I coughed. “There better be a driver here to pick me up for work tomorrow morning.”
“I can’t promise you that, but security will watch to make sure you don’t leave until the doctor checks you out.” He smiled. “Close enough, right?”
“I guess…”
He waited until I stepped inside before returning to the town car.
I hit the lights, and my jaw hit the floor with my purse.
My living room was no longer bare.
Filled with gorgeous grey and cream-colored furniture, it beckoned me to run my hands against its artwork.
Golden framed recipes and photographs of vintage kitchens complemented the new rustic rose drapes that hung from the windows. Hints of my hardwood floors sparkled beneath plushy cream area rugs.
Wandering to the kitchen, I sucked in a breath and took in the freshly painted walls and stainless steel range. My new glass cabinets resembled the ones on Pierce’s yacht, and a khaki-colored apron hung from a hook.
The pocket bore my name in bright pink cursive.
I rushed to the bedroom and stared at the rose and grey theme in awe.
The sheets on my bed felt like butter, and I couldn’t wait to dive headfirst into the pillows.
Taking off my shoes, I noticed a handwritten note on the new nightstand.
Harlow,
Thank you for caring for my children while they were sick.
Now, let me take care of you.
Pierce
~
Seven days of flu recovery, twenty early morning ‘We miss Hol-lowww’ video calls, and one car ride back to Manhattan later
THIRTY-SEVEN
PIERCE
“The twins are down for the night.” Harlow set the baby monitor on my desk. “I’ll see you two on Monday.”
“Monday?” Olivia whined. “You just got back!”
“I know.” She kissed her forehead. “I promised Sasha I’d join her for a weekend away at the beach, though. It’s for her birthday.”
“Why can’t I come, too?”
“It’s only for adults,” I said. “Besides, you have a packed weekend schedule with your soccer team, anyway.”
“I guess.” She hugged Harlow before plopping into the seat by my window.
“Well, um…” Harlow looked at me, biting her bottom lip. “I’ll see you Monday.”
“Okay.” I nodded, wishing we were alone. “See you Monday.”
She walked away, and I debated going after her before she spent four nights away from me, but I kept my composure.
“Oh wow,” Olivia said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You really like Miss Hawthorne, don’t you?”
“No.”
“You do! That’s why you’re doing that telltale thing that Sasha’s grumpy book heroes do.” She laughed, clapping her hands. “It’s so obvious, Uncle Brooks.”
“What are you talking about, Olivia?”
“It’s that thing that happens when the hero and heroine are unsure of how to act around other people, when they're still struggling to fully show their feelings.”
I gave her a blank stare.
“Her cheeks flushed red when he stared at her, and the tension in the room was palpable to anyone around them…” She paused, tapping her chin. “They both wished they were alone to properly say goodbye, to show how desperately they’d miss each other, but now was not the time or place. Her lips and his touch would have to wait…”
“What the fuck have you been reading?”
THIRTY-EIGHT
PIERCE
Magnolia
Guess who’s coming to NYC tonight?!!!
Santa.
Funny. Your favorite little sister! Want to meet me for dinner at Per Se around 7ish? You mentioned that place is awesome.
No, it’s not on me…
That works.
I would never let you pay. See you soon.
Iwalked down the hall, ready to tell Olivia the good news, but I stopped when I saw her chasing Harlow with a pillow.
The twins laughed each time she landed a blow that sent feathers flying.
I felt extremely protective of her, like she was much more than my niece, and I didn’t want to hurt her.