Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Dad and Grace stared at me stunned.
I was stunned.
The first year with them had been the most tumultuous. I was a teenager, devastated about my mum and terrified Dad would fail me; therefore, I’d acted out quite a bit. Until it occurred to me if I kept acting out, I would really push Dad and Grace away.
Instead, I became obsessed with people-pleasing. In a way, I also think it was a form of absolution with other people because deep down, part of me believed I was in the wrong for leaving my mum behind.
I’d people-pleased with Will too. We hadn’t compromised on anything. I’d just given in so I wouldn’t upset him or rock the boat.
Baird, it seemed, made me feel a wee bit reckless.
The fear of upsetting my parents was like a sickness in my gut. I stood there, frozen, waiting for them to react.
Grace sighed heavily. “You’re right, sweetheart. I mean, I still don’t agree with the plan, but it is your life and it’s not like you’re hurting anyone.”
“Lying isn’t hurting? Lying isn’t selfish?” Dad glared at his wife.
Remorse worsened my nausea. I didn’t want Grace and Dad to fight.
“The only people it might hurt are Maia and Baird, and that’s their risk to take,” Grace replied with a bite in her calm tone. “As for selfish … I think Maia’s earned the right to be a little selfish. Don’t you?”
Did I mention I adored my stepmother?
Dad swallowed hard, his words thick as he responded a few seconds later, “Aye. I suppose in that you’re right.”
Suffice it to say I’d left my parents’ house uncertain and filled with guilt at the friction I’d caused. I couldn’t sleep. Hence the need for three coffees before I even left my flat this morning.
The last thing I needed was to see an email from Will when I logged into my work computer.
I’d opened it before I even realized who had sent it.
Maia,
I can’t believe you blocked me. We need to talk. Please. Call me.
Will
I immediately blocked his email address.
My phone screen suddenly lit up and a text message popped up from Baird.
Be there at 12.
Butterflies fluttered to life in my belly as I replied.
Thanks. See you soon.
He sent me the blowing-kiss emoji, and I rolled my eyes, grinning. He was adorable.
My hope was that his presence would bolster me today while we awkwardly explained to my boss and my boss’s boss about the change in situation. I’d already contacted Christina last night to tell her I needed an emergency meeting with her and Hilary about the campaign. She’d bluntly responded this morning that we’d meet at noon, and I’d quickly relayed that information to Baird. Thankfully, his morning training session ended just in time for him to join me here.
Baird called up five minutes before the meeting, and I ran downstairs to the delivery entrance to let him in. Eli took Baird’s call, so they were full of questions and eyebrow waggles, but I had to tell my bosses first before I explained anything to Eli and Liza.
Baird looked incredibly handsome in his black dress shirt and dress trousers. The shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms and tattoos. And it was open at the collar, so he didn’t look too formal. Yet the transformation was amazing. He looked … older. Sexier.
Heat flushed through me. “You look hot.”
Baird chuckled at my confused tone as he stepped into the building, his body brushing against mine. “I’m offended by how surprised you sound.”
“No … I just … I mean … you look different.”
“Thought I’d dress the part. Look responsible and all that.” His gaze moved down my body as I shut the door and locked it. “Is this what you wear to work?”
I glanced down at my cropped white button-down shirt and wide-leg black suit pants. The shirt had long, stiff bell sleeves and showed a good expanse of my bare stomach. Ten years ago, my boss would have told me to go home and change. Now, crop tops were in, and as a fashion buyer, I liked to wear the products I bought for the store.
“What’s wrong with it?” I wrinkled my nose in mock irritation as I strode past him.
“It’s sexy as fuck. I like it.” He walked into the small lift, and it bounced with his weight as he squeezed in. His citrusy aftershave filled my senses, and my cheeks flushed again. Hiding my reaction to his nearness, I stabbed at the button that would take us upward where I could get some distance from him.
Baird reached for my left hand and lifted the ring up in the light. “Fuck, it suits you.”
There was such gruff emotion in his voice, my heart stuttered for a minute. Because the emotion matched the strange expression on his face.