Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“Right, okay,” he murmured.
Opal came out of the studio and greeted his sisters. After they both told her how amazing she’d been on TV, Mila said, “We need to meet with our brother about this birthday party he’s hosting for Crystal.”
She blinked, looking a bit like a mole coming out of the ground. “Okay. I might go out and get some air. Take a walk.”
Damien realized they’d been at it for three or four hours solid. “That’s a good idea,” he said. And to his sisters, “Come up to the house and make some coffee. I need something to eat.”
As they left the studio, Erin squeezed his shoulder. Her expression softened as she said, “Hey, you’ve been working too hard.” She glanced at Opal, who was walking briskly, rolling her shoulders as though they were stiff. “And poor Opal looks half-dead from exhaustion.”
Damien shook his head. “Don’t blame me for that. She works harder than I do. She never wants to take breaks. She just wants to keep going, keep refining. Her songs are becoming excellent.”
Erin said, “Well, that’s good, but it sounds like you both need somebody to make you take a breather. It’s a good thing we came.”
That was debatable.
As they walked up to the house and he stretched his body, he realized he needed more exercise than nightly sex if he was going to hold it together. Inside, they settled around the kitchen table. Erin put on coffee and made him a green tea without even being asked. She also took it upon herself to pull some food out of the fridge and made him a plate of kale salad, sliced smoked tofu, and toasted whole wheat pita bread. She laid it in front of him and he thanked her, realizing just how hungry he was as he took his first mouthful. Meanwhile, Mila had been busy getting out a notebook and pen.
And then they began to talk about Crystal’s birthday party.
It all felt a bit surreal. He’d spent the morning immersed in Opal’s music, which was all about heartache and tough times. And now suddenly he was planning a birthday party with glitter and balloons. Thinking that Opal probably needed to eat as well, he texted her and asked her to join them when she finished her walk.
“We really want to make this a good party,” Erin said. “Crystal works so hard and when she puts on an event, it’s always amazing. We want to give her the same kind of thoughtfulness.”
He nodded, agreeing. “She should have the best party ever. You’re only thirty once.”
“Exactly,” Erin said. “The caterer is coming tomorrow morning at nine. So you need to make sure Crystal’s out of the house.”
He swallowed hard and then glanced at Mila, putting on a shocked expression. “Why would you think Crystal would be in my house so early in the morning?”
Erin shot him the kind of superior look that only a little sister could give. “Because I can see one of her earrings on the kitchen counter. And she’s left an extra pair of running shoes and a sweater hanging by the back door.”
He started to protest, but she raised a hand. “Don’t even bother. If I go into your bathroom, I know I’ll find her toothbrush. And probably some makeup and her perfume.”
Busted.
And he didn’t even care. He wanted his sisters to know he was with Crystal. He wanted everyone to know. So, composing himself, he took a deep breath and said, “Crystal is the woman in my life.”
Mila’s sea-green eyes lit up and she clapped her hands, clearly thrilled at the prospect. “I knew it. I saw this coming.”
Erin, on the other hand, looked nervous. “You can’t hurt her. Damien, promise me you won’t hurt her.”
Her words were almost like a punch to the solar plexus. “Why would I hurt her? I love her.”
The words came out of his mouth before he even knew what he was saying. And then, once they were out in the world, he realized how right they were. And that maybe Erin and Mila shouldn’t have been the first ones to hear them.
It was Crystal he needed to tell. Crystal to whom he wanted to confess his love. But at least the words had stripped the nervous look from Erin’s face. She jumped up and threw her arms around him. “Damien, that’s so fantastic. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”
He laughed into her embrace. She was so happy for them both.
Mila looked smug. “I told you so. I could see there was something going on with you two, even at Arch’s wedding. Crystal and you looked right together. Like you fit. Thank goodness you’ve finally worked it out.”
He was relieved and pleased to get his sisters’ approval. But he had to tell them not to breathe a word to anyone. “I need to talk to Crystal first. I’m not sure if she’s okay with anyone knowing. At least not yet.” But he was. And he could only hope that he’d be able to convince Crystal that he was the man for her.