Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 185811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 929(@200wpm)___ 743(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 185811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 929(@200wpm)___ 743(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
“She must have found out from Aiden.” I swallow, trying to ignore the fact that my throat aches and my nose is starting to sting.
“You didn’t tell her?”
“I haven’t spoken to her for a couple of weeks.” My chin wobbles.
“Please don’t cry,” he says softly, and I shake my head.
“I won’t.” As soon as the lie slips past my lips, a tear slides down my cheek.
“Fuck, baby.” He drags me against him and cups the back of my head with his large palm. “Let it out.”
I want to. I want to let all the anger, sadness, and resentment that has been sitting on my chest for weeks loose, but I can’t because I don’t know what will happen if I let myself feel the full force of those emotions.
“I’m okay.” I step out of his hold and swipe away the tears still wet on my cheeks.
“Bridgett.” My name is soft, and I shake my head as I turn my back to him.
“We should finish cleaning up. The sun will be setting soon.” I walk to the black garbage bag and pick it up off the ground where I dropped it, shaking it out. It feels like forever before he moves, but when he does, he doesn’t say another word. Nor do I. Then again, what is there to say?
CHAPTER 11
SIMPLE
Bridgett
Sitting at the counter in Noah’s kitchen, I nibble my bottom lip as I answer the third to last question on my official realtor licensing exam. As my palms begin to sweat, I click on one of the multiple-choice answers I think fits best, then move on to the next question and the next.
On the last and final one, I hold my breath as I click on my answer…and then close my eyes after the screen changes and it says I passed. The relief I feel causes tears to fill my eyes instantly, and I cover my face as I start to cry.
I’ve felt like I’ve been trying to swim upstream in a raging river for weeks, and each time I’m sure I’ve grabbed hold of something solid that will allow me to get to shore, a wave crashes into me, sending me under all over again. But with this, I’ve finally got something that will one day lead to me being completely independent. I won’t need anyone to take care of me ever again.
“What the fuck happened?” Noah barks, and I uncover my face and find him standing in the entryway to the kitchen, dressed in a suit—something I never imagined seeing him in because who the heck would make one in his size?
“Nothing.” I sniffle, using the sleeve of my sweater to dry the tears on my cheeks. Not that it actually helps since tears continue slipping from between my lashes.
“You’re crying, so something happened.” He comes around the counter to where I’m sitting and then spins my computer around so he can look at the screen. “What is this?” His eyes lock on mine, and I shake my head as I swallow.
“It’s…it’s my realtor test.” I wipe my cheeks again. “I just took it and found out I passed.”
As he studies me, I shift on the stool. Since the day Conner showed up here, things between Noah and I have been awkward, and I no longer know if it’s him avoiding me or me avoiding him.
“You took a test to become a realtor?” He looks at the screen again before focusing on me once more.
“Yeah.”
“You never mentioned you were doing that.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Babe, it’s a big fucking deal.” He straightens and begins to loosen the tie around his neck.
“Why are you so dressed up?” I eye him as he takes off his suit jacket and places it on the back of one of the barstools.
“I had a meeting with my captain.” He moves into the kitchen and goes to the pantry.
“Wait, did you find out if you made detective today?” I ask, getting off my stool to follow him.
“I did.”
“And?” I watch as he comes out of the pantry, holding a bottle of very expensive champagne covered in a layer of dust.
“I got the promotion,” he says, so casually I would assume it doesn’t mean anything to him that he got the job he’s been vying for. But I know that’s not true.
“Oh my God.” I rush him and wrap my arms around his waist, resting the side of my head against his chest. “I’m so happy for you.” I tip my head back and find his chin dipped and his gaze soft. “I had no doubt you would get the job.” I smile. “Are you happy?”
“Yeah,” he mutters, and I realize where I am and that he might not want me wrapped around him like a boa constrictor. Letting him go, I step back and rub my palms down the front of the leggings I put on when I got home from work this evening.