Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Do you feel like you’re ready for an overnight trip?”
“I haven’t had sex in a year, Brayden.” She bit her bottom lip. “And I’m attracted to you. Very attracted to you. Think it over and let me know. If you decide to come, I promise I won’t be looking for a proposal after.”
I smiled. This was exactly what I liked about Lacey—she was open and honest, not afraid to say what was on her mind. “Alright, thank you.”
The hospital where she worked was only a few blocks away, so after I paid the dinner check, I walked her over. When we got to the entrance, we kissed. Last time, an overwhelming sense of grief had hit me almost as soon as our lips unlocked. Grief, not guilt. So I braced myself when I pulled back, waiting for it to come again. But...it didn’t.
“What are you grinning about?” Lacey asked.
“Nothing.”
She smiled back, swiping at my lip with her thumb. “You have a little lipstick.”
“What’s your schedule like this week?”
“I’ll be waking up and going to sleep in this building for the next six days. One of the other residents lost her dad and had to fly out to California for a while. But I’ll text you, okay?”
“Sounds good.”
She pushed up on her toes and pressed her lips to mine with a smile. “Did I say very attracted to you or just attracted earlier?”
I smiled back. “Have a good shift.”
“Thanks. Let me know about the Hamptons when you can.”
“You got it.”
As I walked away, I realized my steps felt a little lighter. I even noticed some birds chirping nearby. I felt…good. Damn good, in fact. And there was clearly only one reason for that. So I made a split-second decision and turned back around. “Hey, Lacey?”
She turned, already halfway through the door. “Yeah?”
“I’m in for next weekend.”
***
The next morning, I ran into Holden in the lobby of our building as I was heading to my office for a meeting.
“Hey,” he said. “I was going to come upstairs to see you later. I’m playing another gig next weekend, if you’re up for it. Saturday night at The Scope.”
“Thanks, but I can’t. I’m going out to the Hamptons.”
“Nice. Golfing?”
“Nope. With Lacey. Her friends have a house.”
A smile bloomed across my buddy’s face. “Sleepover? Nice.” He patted my shoulder. “Thatta boy.”
I nodded. “I figured it was time to move on. Though, I gotta admit, it still feels like I’m doing it with a piece of my heart missing.”
“It’ll get easier.”
“Yeah? Did it ever get easier when you thought of Lala and couldn’t have her?”
“That’s different. We kept finding our way back to each other. I’m a strong believer that the man upstairs puts us where we’re supposed to be.”
I blew out an exhale. “Welp, my enlightened friend, I’m heading to East Hampton next weekend, so I guess that’s where the big man wants me.”
Fifteen minutes later, I jogged up the stairs from the subway around the corner from my office. Cell service was always spotty on the A train, so as I reached the street level, a bunch of messages came through on my phone. I opened and sorted through them as I walked.
Ad for overpriced monogrammed socks. Delete.
Bank notifying me that my monthly statement is ready. Save for later.
Credit-monitoring company telling me my score went up by two points. Delete.
Letter from Seneca Falls Building Inspector informing me the stop-work order has been lifted. Freeze in place.
I came to such an abrupt halt in the middle of the sidewalk, a guy crashed into my back.
“What the fuck?” he grumbled.
I held up my hand. “Sorry, man.” I stepped out of the flow of foot traffic to stand against the front window of a deli and reread the email.
Dear Mr. Foster,
We have approved your application for the missing electrical permit and completed our inspection of the underground fill-in. A certificate of occupancy will be issued within three business days. After such time, you may remove the posted stop-work order and resume construction on your property.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact this office.
Regards,
Inspector David Arnoff
My stomach sank. It was, of course, great news for Ryan’s House and the people who needed free housing so they could be with their loved ones during treatment. But for me, it was terrible. Because it meant there was a very good chance I’d have to see Alex again. And now that I knew she’d moved on, that would be torture.
Though…I’d moved on, too, hadn’t I?
It sure as hell had felt that way a half hour ago. But suddenly, the only thing I could think of were Holden’s words. “I’m a strong believer that the man upstairs puts us where we’re supposed to be.”
***
On Thursday evening, I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel up in Seneca Falls. I’d canceled my trip with Lacey to the Hamptons, since I needed to be here instead. I felt terrible letting her down, but I needed to get things up and running here as soon as possible.