Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Yeah, so?” she says, taking a sip of her coffee. “We’re good friends.”
I groan inwardly at the word friend and glance at Layla, catching her wince as well. The last thing Declan wants is to be Kendall’s friend, but unfortunately, he’s been friend zoned.
“We’ve been writing together,” Kendall adds. “I think I’m going to pitch one to Dad.”
“That’d be cool,” Bailey agrees. “Won’t be the first time a pop and rock star collaborated.”
“Exactly.” Kendall’s phone goes off, and when she looks at it, she smiles.
“Declan?” Bailey pushes, clearly on a mission. Her wife, Cynthia, nudges her, but she ignores her.
“No.” Kendall types out a message, then looks up. “I’ve started seeing someone. He’s an attorney here in New York. It’s not serious or anything, but I really like him.”
That’s what she always says... until she finds something wrong with him and dumps his ass. It’s why Declan won’t speak up. He’s afraid he won’t be able to hold on to her. From the outside, Kendall looks like the perfect pop star. She’s beautiful and sweet, but underneath, there’s something imperfect, something that eats away at her. Nobody goes through men like one changes their underwear unless they have a hidden insecurity. The problem is, until she deals with it, she’ll keep doing what she’s been doing for years.
“Does that mean you’re sticking around for a while?” her mom asks.
“Yep. I was actually meaning to tell you. I’ve rented a place near the studio. Since everyone is here, and Layla is about to give birth to my niece, I should be here too.”
“That makes me so happy,” Sophia tells her daughter even though you can see it in her features that she won’t believe it until she sees it.
After we finish eating, we play a few baby games, and then Layla opens her presents. I watch as she oohs and aahs over every outfit and item she unwraps, imagining what it will be like one day when I’m pregnant.
My thoughts go to Braxton and how amazing things have been lately. He meant what he said about wooing me. We’ve been going on dates almost daily, but since the night at the club—when he got me off with his damn thigh—we haven’t taken it any further than that. He picks me up and drops me off like a gentleman, and while we’re out, we talk and get to know each other all over again. I’ve already known I love Braxton, but with every day we spend together, I find myself falling for him all over again.
As if he can sense me thinking about him, my phone pings with a text from him: So I was thinking... What would you think about going away, just the two of us, this weekend?
Butterflies attack my belly, knowing what he’s asking—implying. And he’s leaving it up to me.
Braxton: Nothing has to happen...
I love that he’s added that, that he made the decision for us to focus on us and has stuck to it. It’s been a month, and not once has he had a drink or smoked. We haven’t fought at all, and while I know it won’t always be perfect, it’s been nice getting to know each other all over again without the drama. We’ve talked about the past, about his mom and dad, and we’ve agreed to put it all behind us. This is our fresh start, and even though we’ll always have history, we don’t want it to taint our future.
Braxton: Kaylee... did I fuck up?
Shit! I never messaged him back, lost in my thoughts.
Me: You didn’t mess up. I would love to go away with you, and it’s the perfect time since I won’t want to go anywhere after Layla has the baby... at least for a little bit.
I don’t mention anything about his nothing has to happen comment. There’s nothing to say. If it happens, then it happens—and really, I think at this point, if it does, then it’s okay.
Braxton: Pick you up at 8:00. Pack light and a bikini.
“What’s got you smiling like a crazy person?” Layla asks, nudging me.
“More like who... Braxton.”
“Well, duh, but what did he say?”
“We’re going away for a couple of days, so you’ll get your house to yourself.”
Layla rolls her eyes. “You know I don’t care about you being there, but good for you.”
“Are you serious right now?” I squeal, running over to the motorcycle parked in the driveway. “I haven’t been on one since...”
My eyes meet Braxton’s, and he smiles. “Good. You don’t belong on the back of any man’s ride but mine.”
He takes my bag from me and stuffs it into the saddlebag, then hands me a small helmet. He gets on and then helps me as I wrap my body around his. Once we’re situated, and my arms are wrapped tight around his torso, he takes off down the drive and onto the road, going slow until we’re out of the Blackwood’s community. Since they live just outside of the city, it doesn’t take long to get on the main road and away from the crazy traffic. The second I see the sign, I know exactly where we’re going: The Hamptons.