Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Thank you,” Kinsley says, giving my daughter a watery smile. “I’ll meet you guys out there.”
“Is she okay?” Taylor whispers once we’re in the kitchen.
“I don’t want to tell her story, but she went through something horrific and is having a tough time getting through it.”
Taylor nods in understanding, then tells me she’ll be right back.
When she returns, she has a stack of books in her arms.
“These are for you,” she says when Kinsley walks out to join us. “They’re my go-to reads when I need to forget about everything and escape.”
Kinsley glances at me, then back at my daughter.
“Dad didn’t tell me your business. He wouldn’t do that, but he said you went through something horrible. I read these books last year when I caught my ex cheating on me because I wouldn’t put out, and I swear they helped me forget all about his lying, cheating behind.”
I already know what happened since my daughter and I talk about most things, but the amount of pride I feel from hearing her speak like that never gets old.
Kinsley cracks a smile and then hugs Taylor. “Thank you,” she murmurs. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
“Of course! We’re officially book friends, and that’s what book friends do for each other.” Taylor grins. “I’m going to grab a water. Do you want one?”
“That would be great,” Kinsley tells her.
Once Taylor is gone, Kinsley says, “You have an amazing daughter.”
“What can I say?” I smirk, hoping to lighten the mood. “She gets it from her dad.”
“Welcome to—oh, it’s you,” Scott says with a laugh. “I wasn’t aware you had an appointment today.”
“He doesn’t,” Taylor says, practically bouncing into the shop. “My friend and I do.”
“Oh, yeah?” Scott says. “Did you find something better than a unicorn to get tattooed?” he asks Casey, who rolls her eyes.
“They’re getting piercings,” Kinsley says, walking out and joining Scott at the front desk.
“Kinsley!” Taylor rushes over and hugs her. “Tell my dad that since I’m here, he should let me get my tongue pierced as well.”
I shake my head, and Kinsley laughs. “How about we start with one piercing, and if it goes well, we can talk about doing another one?”
“Fine.” Taylor sighs. “I’m going first,” she says to Casey. “I can’t watch it happen. I’ll freak out. I need to just get it done.”
After I sign the consent form, the girls head back with Kinsley. The room isn’t big, and I figure they’ll have more fun with it just being the girls.
While I’m waiting for them to get done, Lachlan appears from his room, his gaze locking on me. “Shane,” he says, walking over and shaking my hand. “Good to see you back.”
“I’m actually not here for me. My daughter and her friend are getting their noses pierced. My appointment is on Friday.”
Lachlan smirks. “At this rate, you’re going to end up inking your entire body in hopes of getting a single date with my daughter.”
Scott laughs, and I shrug because what the hell do I say to that? He’s not entirely wrong. I might be on board with getting the sleeve now, but it did start as a way to spend time with Kinsley.
“It’ll be worth it,” I tell him. “Besides, she’s damn talented, so it’s not exactly a hardship, having her ink me.”
Lachlan nods. “I get it,” he says, squeezing my shoulder. “I would’ve done anything for her mom to give me a chance. Hell, in the early stages, I pretty much did.”
“And I’m assuming it worked out …”
“Yeah, it did,” he says, smiling fondly. “We’ve been together for twenty-five years, we share three kids, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.” He glances down the hall. “But if something happened to her, I don’t even know how I’d move on.”
Ah, so he’s trying to feed me details without breaking Kinsley’s trust.
“I know,” I tell him. “And while I can’t relate since I’ve never lost anyone, I get why she’s so hesitant to put herself back out there.”
“She told you?” Lachlan says, shock evident in his tone.
“I don’t know all the details, but she told me the basics, and I hate that she blames herself. I barely know her, and even I know she would never purposely hurt anyone. Hell, the last place she wanted to go was to my house, but all it took was my daughter giving her, her signature puppy-dog eyes, and Kinsley caved.”
“So, why do you keep coming back?” Lachlan asks. “If you know she doesn’t want to be around you …”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I say with a laugh. “I can see the attraction and curiosity when she looks at me. But she’s been through something horrible. So, I took a step back and suggested we be friends.”
“And what if she never gives you the chance to take her out on a date?” Lachlan asks. “Will you be okay with that?”