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)
“Stop fucking judging me, Pierce.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I just need her to hold on and wait a little longer until I get it together. I’m chasing a dream and you know what that’s like.”
I almost felt bad, but I remembered she was an actress.
“Forever isn’t an end date.” I clicked a pen. “Take your time reading through it, and you’ll see that I’ve been more than fair with the terms. Sign it and leave it with the host.”
“It’s not my fault that I don’t know how to be a good mom,” she said. “When we were growing up with Mama Raya—”
“You were spoiled as fuck.” I snapped. “You’ve gotten everything, and I do mean everything you’ve ever needed in life, and you’re far from a victim just because you didn’t get to be a child star.”
“Pierce…”
“If I were you, I would change the answers in your interviews before it’s too late.” I refused to sugarcoat this. “Eventually, the truth will come out, and no one will feel sorry for you. Something tells me that ‘deadbeat mother’ would do far more damage to your career than ‘young mother’ ever could.”
“You wouldn’t dare…”
“I won’t have to.” I stood up. “Don’t waste your time worrying if Olivia thinks you’re the worst mother on the planet. You are.”
THIRTY-NINE
HARLOW
Hey…You randomly disappeared tonight. You okay?
No. Meet me outside.
We need to talk.
(Jerry will handle the twins.)
I’m on my way.
Izipped up my jacket and took the elevator downstairs.
Pierce was standing in front of his newest car, looking straight ahead.
“Hey,” I said. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes. Something is very wrong.” He didn’t make eye contact with me. “I’m sure you can guess what the problem is.”
He knows?
“You’re just going to stand there?” he asked. “You have nothing to say for yourself?”
“I was planning to tell you.”
“When?”
“Eventually.”
“So, never,” he said, opening the passenger door. “Get in so we can discuss this.”
I obliged, and he remained silent as he drove, never looking over at me.
He circled the same four blocks until pulling into a space near Central Park. Without saying a word, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against his side.
When we neared the fountain, he finally looked at me.
“I can’t believe you were going to let it slip by,” he said. “There must be a part of you that doesn’t believe I’m serious about this relationship.”
“No, I didn’t want to tell you because—” I caught myself. “Wait. What are you talking about?”
“Your birthday.”
“That’s not for another few weeks.”
“You have everyone’s marked in the shared calendars, except yours.”
“Because it’s never been that big of a deal to me.”
“That’s a shame. You should make a big deal, and if I were you, I would pursue baking as a profession sooner than later.”
“You want me to quit working for you?”
“I didn’t say that.” He smiled. “I’m sure that’s inevitable once people realize how well you make sweets, though.”
We stopped walking as we approached my dream storefront.
I pressed my hand against the glass and peered inside.
“I swear I notice something new every time I come here,” I said. “The for sale sign is five inches lower today.”
“That sign shouldn’t be there at all.”
“What do you mean?”
He held up a set of keys. “I bought it for you this morning.”
WHAT? I stared at him, shaking my head.
“Happy early birthday, Harlow.”
“Please don’t joke with me like this…”
“I would never.” He pressed the keys into my hand. “You officially own it, and there’s an escrow account set up for the next fifteen years for the property taxes,” he said. “The kitchen equipment should be here next week, but that’s all I’m giving you.”
“That’s everything.” I swallowed.
“I thought it was better than my original gift idea.” He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a diamond cupcake necklace.
He motioned for me to turn around so he could drape it around my neck.
Locking the clasp, he pressed a long kiss against my skin.
“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you so fucking much…”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed me again. “Hurry up and open the door so I can help you christen every surface inside…”
FORTY
PIERCE
“So, you’re fine with Page Six running a story about you falling for your nanny?” Brian placed a stack of files on my desk Monday morning.
“It’s just gossip, Brian.”
“But you’re in love with her?”
“That’s not the point.”
“At least I got you to finally admit it.” He laughed. “Months ago, you would’ve threatened to sue if they ran anything about your personal life.”
“People will find out eventually,” I said. “Besides, she won’t be my nanny forever.”
“Fair point. I’ll make sure legal gets an early copy before it goes to print, just in case,” he said. “Speaking of which, please tell me you’ve given Denise a raise for working two positions lately.”
“Yeah.” I paused. “She’s turning into the workaholic I used to be, so hopefully we’ll get a new person onboard to help this week.”