Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
My mother gasped. “What an amazing thing to do.”
“I know. And it’s not even that. He has this pull that I can’t ignore. When I’m around him, I either want to kick him in the balls or beg him to kiss me. Most of the time, it’s the latter. It’s confusing as hell, Mom.”
“That’s love,” she said with a chuckle. “Have you talked to him about how you feel?”
“God no!” I answered, standing. “Mom, this guy is beyond gorgeous. He can get any woman he wants simply by walking up and smiling at them. He’s not interested in me like that. I mean, do I think that if I told him I’d sleep with him, he’d go along with it? Yes.”
Pushing the door of the building open, I stopped. “No, I take that back. I don’t think he would. I think he’d want to, but he has more respect for me than that.”
“Saylor Maria Night. Do not ever put yourself down like that, young woman. Any man would call himself lucky to have you.”
I replied, “I’m sorry, Mom. You’re right.”
“I am right. And he sounds like a catch.”
Feeling my chest ache and my heart sink, I nodded and slowly walked to the elevator. “He is. And sometimes his British accent comes out.”
“He’s British too?”
“Born there but moved to America when he was young, so he’s mostly lost it. It comes out when he’s mad. It’s kind of cute, though I’m annoyed with myself for thinking that way.”
She chuckled as I sighed. “He’s great,” I continued. “I mean, for some lucky girl he will be.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, sweetheart.”
I fought to keep my tears at bay. “I’m not sure he feels that way about me, Mom. Which leads me to my next question: Do I follow my heart or my head?”
She remained silent for a few moments as she thought about what I’d said.
“Saylor, when the time comes where you need to make that decision, only you can make it.”
Ugh. I’d forgotten how my mother’s advice worked. She made it seem like she was giving you some when really all she was saying was that you needed to figure out.
“That’s not really the advice I was hoping for.”
She chuckled. “It’s all I’ve got, darling.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you. Kiss Daddy for me.”
“I will, sweetheart. And Saylor, one more thing.”
“What’s that?” I asked as I stepped to the side of the elevator to allow more people on.
“That true love only comes along once. You knew it wasn’t Ron, so you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s Mason.”
I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump now forming in my throat. I batted my eyes quickly to keep my tears at bay.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Love you, my sweet Saylor.”
My voice was on the edge of cracking. I had the sudden urge to flee to my parents and run into my mother’s arms. I had a sinking feeling that my heart was about to fall into pieces.
“Love you too.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
* * *
Mason
“MASON, I DON’T know how to thank you for this.”
With a grin, I finished helping Kris set up Maddie’s crib in the hotel suite I’d booked for them. My brother Rich had flew out last night for a meeting in Chicago about our father’s candy company. I’d worked for him for a bit with marketing and such before moving onto another company. It was easy being at the top of your father’s company, but getting to the top of another company was whole other story.
“I can’t believe the heater at the house went out like that.” She glanced around. “How much are you paying for this suite?”
I chuckled. It wasn’t like I couldn’t afford it—or that Rich couldn’t for that matter. My brother and sister-in-law lived very modestly. Their house in New Jersey was nice, but not over the top. You’d never know my brother was a CEO of a multi-million-dollar company in Chicago.
“If Rich came back home and found his daughter and wife in anything less, he’d beat my ass.”
She shook her head, her dark brown ponytail swooshing from side to side.
“Will you be able to work from here with Maddie?” I asked.
My phone went off in my pocket. Again. I was sure it was Ashley. I’d told her not to call me unless it was an emergency.
“Yes, I’ll be fine. I’ll make all my calls when she’s sleeping.”
I nodded and looked around. “You don’t need anything else but the port-a-crib and swing?”
“Nope. I think that’s it.”
“How about I bring you dinner tonight? Since you’re in town and I never really get to see Maddie, I’d love to stop by.”
Kris’s eyes lit up. “Can you bring Chinese from that place you and Charlie used to go to all the time?”
Laughing, I walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek. “Yes. Pepper steak, still?”