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)
I nod in understanding, blinking back my tears that are blurring my vision, and I count back from ten to calm myself down—a technique Julia taught me. Once my heart rate is somewhat normal, I take a deep breath and wrap my arms around Shane’s neck.
“I love you,” I tell him. “And I want forever with you … whatever that looks like.”
“All right, I gotta go.” Shane kisses my cheek as he grabs his travel mug containing the protein shake I made him—his go-to breakfast. “I love you. Have a good day.”
“I love you too.” I turn around and kiss him on his lips. “Be safe.”
“Always. I promised you forever, remember?”
He shoots me a wink, and I shake my head, loving how playful he is. It doesn’t matter how emotional or deep I get. He always handles it with such patience.
“Taylor!” he calls out. “I’m leaving. Get down here so I can say goodbye.”
“Coming!” she yells, her feet stomping down the stairs.
Becky jumps up at the commotion and trots over to them, wagging her tail excitedly.
“If you need anything while you’re with your mom, text or call me,” Shane says. “I don’t care what time it is, if I’m at work …”
“I know,” she says, bending to scratch behind Becky’s ear. “It’ll be fine. It’s only four days, and then you and Kinsley will be there.”
“What time is your mom getting here?” he asks.
“She said around ten.” She stands, and Becky comes over to me since she’s done getting attention and I’m making eggs.
I glance at the time on the stove—7:50. I normally hang out here when Taylor’s home if I’m off, but since she’s leaving and I’m not really up for meeting the ex, I make a note to leave once I’m done having coffee and breakfast with Taylor.
“Okay,” he tells her. “Text me once she’s picked you up and again when you get to the city.”
“Will do.”
“Have fun. I love you.”
“Love you too, Dad.” She kisses his cheek, and then he takes off.
“Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes,” I tell her.
I finish making our eggs and toast, just as Taylor comes back down with her luggage in tow.
“So, what do you and your mom have planned?” I ask, making small talk while we eat.
“I’m not sure. She loves museums and stuff, so I’m sure we’ll go to a few. She’s big on history and current events, hence her being a journalist. She mentioned seeing a Broadway show, and I’m hoping we can do some shopping as well, but I figured if we don’t, we can go once you and Dad get there. I also found some bookstores for us to check out near campus. They might be the ones you used to frequent.”
She pulls her phone out and starts to name the ones she found, and we spend the rest of breakfast talking about which stores I’ve been to and which ones are new. Since we’re doing the guided tour on Friday, we make a game plan to check out the bookstores on Saturday.
When we’ve finished eating, I offer to do the dishes when Taylor remembers that she forgot to pack her favorite pair of shoes.
I’m standing at the sink, washing the dishes with Becky lounging by my feet, when the front door opens. Becky jumps up in excitement while I turn the sink off, assuming Shane came back for something.
I’m drying my hands when a feminine voice says, “Who are you?” in an accusing tone that has me spinning around.
I know immediately that it’s Jamie, Taylor’s mom. She has the same red hair, green eyes, pale skin, and freckles as Taylor. They might as well be twins. Hell, if Taylor wants to know what she’ll look like in twenty years, she only has to look at her mom.
Who, I just realized, is standing in the kitchen without having been let in.
“Hi,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m Kinsley.”
Jamie’s gaze flits from my face to my hand, making a face as if it’s personally offended her. “Is there a reason why you’re standing in the kitchen where my daughter eats breakfast, not wearing any pants?” She huffs. “Shane and I are going to have to have a conversation about him allowing his one-night stands to hang out like this in front of our daughter.”
Okay, so this is how it’s going to go.
I should’ve expected it based on how her friend behaved at the barbecue, but I was hoping I wouldn’t have to find out yet, hence me planning to leave before she got here.
“One, I have pants”—I lift Shane’s T-shirt to show her I’m wearing a pair of cotton shorts underneath—“and two, I’m—”
“Mom!” Taylor appears, wrapping her arms around her mom while her mom continues to glare daggers my way, and I briefly thank God that Shane was the one who raised Taylor because she clearly has his personality.