Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
She glanced my way. “Want to set the table?”
“You bet.”
She directed me to the place-mats, plates, utensils and glasses. We finished up at about the same time, and my mouth watered with anticipation. “This looks amazing. I cook for myself now and then, but I usually order out, so this is a treat.”
“Then I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
While she dished up the food, the doorbell rang. It startled her so badly that she nearly dropped the plate of eggs.
“Whoa.” I grabbed the plate. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” She swallowed, wiping her hands on her apron. “Guess I’m a little jumpy.” She hesitated.
“Were you expecting someone?”
“No.” She shook her head.
The doorbell rang again, followed by a couple of hard knocks.
“Want me to answer it?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s fine. I don’t know why I’m so rattled. I’m sure it’s just a neighbor. I’ll be right back.”
She left the plate in my hands and hurried toward the door. Not about to stay behind, I set the plate down and followed her into the living room.
I moved the curtain aside for a quick peek before she pulled the door open. Getting a glimpse of a man with dark hair on her porch, I stepped behind her to see his face.
“Brandon? What are you doing here?”
“I saw the light on and—” He caught sight of me, and his face darkened. “What’s he doing here?”
Surprised, Serenity glanced over her shoulder to find me standing right behind her. “I invited him. We’re having dinner. But that’s none of your business. What do you want?”
He glanced at me and clenched his jaw. “I wanted to talk to you. In private.”
“Anything you have to say, you can say in front of him.” Serenity straightened and crossed her arms. “So hurry up. Our food’s getting cold.”
Brandon let out a huff and his nostrils flared. “Fine. I came to apologize for what I said last night. I’d been drinking. I know that’s not an excuse, but I shouldn’t have said those things. I didn’t mean it. I… I was hoping we could—”
He shook his head and let out a breath. “I don’t want to go through with it. I don’t want a divorce. Will you at least consider giving me another chance to work this out? I’m still in love with you, Serenity. I was stupid and mixed up, but I’ve come to realize you mean more to me than anything, and I’m an idiot.”
Serenity shook her head. “Brandon. I—”
Brandon held up a hand. “Don’t answer me right now. Just think about it. Okay? At least give me that much. You can tell me tomorrow. Or the next day. We had something special once, and I want that again. I want you back in my life. I want what we had, and I’m not ready to throw it all away.”
Serenity huffed out a breath and dropped her arms. “Then why are you suing me? Why go to all that trouble? Don’t you realize how much that hurts? Why would I ever want you in my life again after everything you’ve put me through?”
“I get it. I’m an ass. It was a stupid, mean thing to do, and I lashed out because I was hurting. You changed, and I didn’t know how to handle it. But I’d like to try again. I never really gave it a chance, and I don’t want to regret it. I just need one more chance. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll sign the papers, no questions asked.”
His eyes held remorse and pain, and I hoped Serenity didn’t fall for it. This guy was as shady as they came. With a slight shake of her head, she opened her mouth to respond, but he raised a hand. “You don’t have to answer me now. Just think about it. Please. At least give me that much.”
She threw her hands up. “Fine. I’ll think about it, but don’t expect me to change my mind.”
His shoulders drooped and he closed his eyes. “Thanks sweetie. That’s all I ask. We’ll talk soon, all right?”
“Sure.” Serenity stepped back and began to close the door, missing the sudden hardness in his eyes. His gaze met mine and his nostrils flared as the door clicked shut.
Serenity turned to me. “That was awkward.”
I quickly stepped to the curtain and tugged it open to watch him leave. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and hurried to the street where his car was parked. After he got in, he started the car, and I watched until his tail lights vanished down the road.
One thing was for sure… this little display was all an act, and I hoped Serenity hadn’t been fooled. The man I’d met last night wasn’t drunk. He’d meant every word he’d said to her, so what was he up to?