Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Not enough…”
“Well, let me summarize for you. I acted like a jealous asshole, and you got upset and drank too much.”
My brows lifted. “You acted like the asshole, not me? Are you just trying to make me feel better?”
Sloane shook her head. “No. I was definitely the asshole.”
“Did it have something to do with a woman who cut in while we were dancing?”
She nodded. “The lovely Natasha also cornered me in the bathroom to make sure I knew you’d slept together and that I shouldn’t expect anything more than a good lay.”
I dropped my head and closed my eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Maybe not last night. But the life I’ve been leading has come back to bite me in the ass, and that’s my fault.” I shook my head. “Not just last night, but in general. You have doubts about my intentions, and I really can’t blame you. You do the same thing over and over enough times, people start to be able to predict the future. Even I question if I’m capable of being the man you deserve. I don’t want to hurt you, Sloane.”
She bumped her shoulder with mine. “I think both of our pasts are getting in the way of our future. I won’t lie and say your dating history doesn’t give me some concern, but it’s not the biggest reason I’ve been keeping you at a distance.”
“It’s not?”
She shook her head. “My own past has left me with a lot of insecurities and self-esteem issues, if I’m being honest. I was afraid to believe you actually liked me, and this wasn’t just about the chase.”
“Was? Does that mean you believe me now?”
She smiled. “Well, it’s either that or you’re a serial killer.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure I’m following.”
“I saw the screen saver on your laptop, with all the pictures of me. It made me understand how you see me, instead of how I’ve been seeing me.”
I brushed a piece of hair from Sloane’s cheek and looked into her eyes. “I see you as beautiful, inside and out.”
Her face went soft. “I believe you do. I’m not sure you’re right, but I finally understand that’s really what you see.”
“Good.” I kissed her forehead. “Because this is one thick skull to get things through.”
She smiled. “That’s not the first time I’ve heard that.”
I took her hands. “Will you let me take you out now? On a date?”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“I can’t. I’m leaving. My flight is at nine. I have to be at work on Tuesday.”
“But you would go out with me if your flight wasn’t today?”
She nodded. “Maybe we can do it next time you’re in New York?”
No way in hell was I waiting another day, much less until I got back to New York, now that she’d said she’d give me a chance. I looked around and found my phone on the end table. The little battery symbol at the top was red, but at least it was working. I called up my contacts and scrolled down to D. Finding the name I wanted, I hit the call button and brought the phone to my ear.
Sloane’s cute little nose wrinkled. “Who are you calling?”
I held up a finger and waited. One ring. Two rings. Three. I started to think he wasn’t going to answer, but then a deep voice came on.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Dad.”
Sloane’s eyes bulged.
“What’s up, kiddo?” my father said.
“Do you remember that park I had you take Mom to years ago, when you came to stay with her at the end?”
“The church ruins she loved so much?”
“That’s the one.”
“Beautiful place. What about it?”
“They sometimes do weddings. I was thinking … since your team is here anyway, maybe they could stay an extra day or two and cover it for the magazine for a future spread.”
“It’s funny you should say that. Because when I was there with your mom, I asked her to marry me again.”
“Weren’t you still married to wife number three?”
Dad sighed. “That’s why she said no.”
I laughed. “And probably why you’re on marriage number four.”
“You make a good point.” Dad chuckled. “But sure, if the team doesn’t mind staying, I think it would make a great story.”
I grinned and met Sloane’s eyes. “I don’t think they’ll mind an extra night or two.”
“You run it past them and tell them to let Bill Winkler know what they decide. He runs the magazine division.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “I’ll definitely run it past them. Thanks, Dad. Talk to you soon.” I hung up and tossed my phone over my shoulder with a shit-eating grin.
Sloane shook her head. “I’m terrified by how quickly you came up with that story.”
I weaved my fingers with hers. “Will you stay and have dinner with me? We can go back to the park tomorrow or the next day and do a shoot.”