Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Stay. I need to talk to you, too.”
I focus back on Robbie. “Any word from the inside?”
“The man who shot JaKoby and nine others has limited time on this earth. He isn’t well regarded in prison, and word on the street is there’s a hit is on his head.”
“Can’t say I’m sorry.”
“Me neither. Ten families live with their losses. Every day this motherfucker is breathing is a day too many.”
“I’m really sorry about your friend,” Ember puts in softly.
“Thanks, babe, it’s an old wound.”
“But still a wound.” Her heartfelt sentiment touches deep.
Jesus, Robbie found himself a good fucking wife.
“I wanted to talk to you about something. It’s totally out of my fucking wheelhouse, but it would mean the world to me.”
Her eyebrows crinkle together, looking between Robbie and me. “What is it?”
“Know this, Ember, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. But you may be the key to getting Jewls to marry me.”
“She finally said yes. I heard the story. She’s wearing your ring.”
It’s not a surprise she knows the story. These women have no shame.
“She’s hung up on marrying me while pregnant.”
“I can understand that. Maybe a few months after the babies are born would be a good time.”
Robbie blows out a breath, his eyes meeting mine. He gets it.
“That won’t work for me.”
“So, what can I do?”
“Design her a dress of her dreams, hide her bump if needed. Give me the ammunition I need to convince her.”
“Umm,” she pulls her lip through her teeth, “I’m not sure that’s possible. Of course, I’ll design her dress, but it’s not exactly enough incentive to convince a woman who’s pregnant to get married.”
“You underestimate your value. It’s exactly the incentive.”
“I agree, baby,” Robbie assures her softly, rubbing his hand across her lower stomach.
“Where would I even begin? Will she be receptive?”
I grin smugly, reaching for my phone and pulling up the picture. “Can you base your design on these?”
“Are those… are those Jimmy Choos?”
“They are.”
“Oh my God! I can totally see it in my head now.”
“Hate to be greedy, but there is another stipulation. She needs to be able to see her feet.”
Ember’s gleaming eyes come to mine. “Well, then I should get started right away.”
I bend to kiss her cheek. “Whatever the costs, I’ll cover it.”
“Jewls is a bit more high maintenance than Harley.”
“That’s my girl. Appreciate it, Ember.”
“When can I tell her?”
“Give me a few days, she’ll call you. I need to use all this wedding and ‘love in the air’ shit to my advantage.”
“Good luck, brother.” Robbie pats me on the back.
“Thanks, I’m gonna need it.”
39
Jewls
“He did what?” I screech, stomping my foot and regretting it immediately. My heel protests and toes spasm.
“You heard me,” Ronnie contests, narrowing her eyes.
“Yes, I heard you, but I can’t believe you let this happen.”
“You’re building a house, honey. What’s the problem?” Bea coos.
“Building a house doesn’t mean I’m moving in now! He lives in a bachelor pad.”
“A very nice bachelor pad, where Harley lived for months,” Janice tries to reason, and I slice my eyes to her.
“Harley and I are different women.”
“You’re pregnant and marrying him, so what’s the problem?” Ronnie snips.
“The problem, Ronise, is that I didn’t agree to this!”
She flinches at her formal name, her lips pursing. “Do not take that tone with me, young lady.”
“You ladies are mothers! How could you allow this?”
“We love our families, but not one of our girls is married to a Marine badass who would do something like this. Your man is an exception.” Janice straightens her shoulders. “You do not know how studly this is.”
I rock back at her boldness, then the word ‘studly’ races through my mind. Images of my horses fill my head, and I can’t help but slap my hand over my mouth.
“Is she losing it?” Bea asks.
“She’s seeing reason.” Ronnie waves around my living room. “You still have this place.”
“But you let him move all my personal stuff to his house.” I sound petty to my own ears.
“He promised us two nights a month plus a ride-along whenever we ask.”
“You sold me out?”
“We took the steps to speed things up.”
“But I love my place, and I hate to say it, but I’m fond of you ladies, too.”
“We know, and we’re not going anywhere. But it’s time you begin your life with your man. He wants to take care of you and have peace of mind you are under his roof until you build your own home. I respect that.”
I bite my lip, feeling the emotional rush speeding to the surface. Ronnie lost her husband too early and never moved on. She’s a closet romantic.
“I’m not happy he didn’t discuss this with me.”
“He discusses, you refuse.”
“Because this is my home.”
“No, this is a place you rent. It wasn’t meant to be permanent. Major is permanent.”
“We agree, Jewls,” Bea says softly. “Times have changed.”