Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
As I wash up, I think maybe I’ll ask Mel to help me with my makeup tomorrow night, too, before our second date. Though I have a feeling Connor wouldn’t care if I showed up in my usual summer overalls and a swipe of cherry lip gloss. He enjoys more about me than my looks, a fact he proves by talking me into another game of chess, clearly as reluctant for the night to end as I am.
We end up playing two more games, chatting nonstop about our favorite philosophers, the modern crisis of attention, and what the word “attention” really means. Is attention a cup we hold between us for the things we love and value, waiting for it to be filled, or a force we exert upon the outside world to prove we’re autonomous beings in control of our destiny?
By the time we’ve delved deep into our various thoughts on the subject, I’m not sure what I think about attention anymore, but I’m positive that I love giving my attention to this man.
And that I wish I could give him more.
More of my attention.
More of my time.
More of my body and my kisses and the sighs I’ve only ever made for him.
But we only have another…sixty hours before he leaves.
As I make my way up the path to my apartment building after Connor drops me off far later than I expected to be out, even on a wedding night, I vow to make the most of those hours.
Every single one.
Chapter 4
From the texts of Binx McGuire,
Melissa McGuire,
and Wendy Ann McGuire
Binx: Sister chat ACTIVATED. Sorry to text so early, guys, but my flight is boarding in ten minutes, and I wanted to make sure this text was sent before I left. Mel, I’m going to need you to touch base with Wendy Ann today and make sure she’s doing okay. She took a big step forward on her “embracing her one wild and wonderful life” journey and may need some support. Wendy Ann, I am SO proud of you, little sis! Way to put yourself out there and seize the day (and the D…*winky smiley face emoji*). I want all the details ASAP. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing in the group chat, you can connect with me privately via chat or email. I will also be able to accept calls after four p.m. central time. We should be at the beach in Tulum by then and Seven and I are both willing to take time out of honeymoon canoodling to gossip.
He’s as proud as I am, by the way. He thinks it’s amazing that you’re coming out of your shell. He thinks you’ve got a lot of seize-the-day potential, kid, and so do I.
Big hugs!
Mel: Wait, what? Who? Where? Let me get out of bed so I don’t wake the baby with the glowing screen.
Binx: You sleep with the baby in the bed? Aren’t you afraid you’re going to roll over and crush him?
Mel: Nah. I know he’s there, and it’s way easier to get my boob out for night feedings when he’s right there in the bed between us.
Binx: Wow, Aaron’s in the bed, too?
Mel: Of course, he is. Where else would he be?
Binx: On the couch? In the guest room? Somewhere where he doesn’t have to worry about rolling over and crushing his child with his giant hockey player body?
Mel: *eye rolling emoji* He’s not that giant, and he’s very aware of where Jonah is at all times, trust me. He’s pathological about the safety of this child. Besides, he’s in charge of diaper changes after the feedings. It’s a team effort around here.
Binx: Aw, I love that. He’s a good one. Nearly as good as mine. Seven says hi, by the way, and thank you for the amazing cake surprise last night. It was the most beautiful thing either of us had ever seen.
Mel: My pleasure, pumpkin. Anything for my baby sisters. Speaking of baby sisters, where the hell is Wendy Ann? Wendy Ann! Get your ass out of bed and tell me what Binx is talking about. And let us know you’re okay. What exactly did you do last night?
Binx: She went home with a boy. After asking Seven and me for condoms.
Mel: WHAT?
Binx: Yep. She’s spreading her wings and flying out of her brain jar!
Mel: Who did she go home with? Someone from the wedding? Or some random weirdo she met hanging around the hotel?
Binx: I don’t know. I didn’t ask.
Mel: YOU DIDN’T ASK? OUR BABY SISTER ASKED YOU FOR CONDOMS TO GO HOME WITH SOME DUDE AND YOU DIDN’T EVEN ASK WHO IT WAS?
Binx: Stop shouting! You’re hurting my eyeballs! I did have four glasses of champagne last night, you know.
Mel: Fine, but this is serious, Binx. You didn’t even get a name? Or at least a physical description?