Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Where are you going?” Dad asks, narrowing his eyes.
“I have plans,” I say, slinging the strap of my bag over my shoulder.
“In the middle of the workday?”
I give him a pointed look. “Daddy, do you really want to be that kind of overbearing boss to his employees? That’s so Boomer.” Before he can argue, I press a quick kiss to his cheek. “Love you, Daddy. I’ll do work stuff again tomorrow.”
Then I turn to June, rubbing her belly affectionately. “Bye, my future little nephew…or niece.” I wink at June. “Auntie Avery loves you so much, even though you keep making your mama puke all the time.”
June rolls her eyes but smiles, and I glance at Beau. “Later, loser.”
Their laughter follows me as I make my way toward the elevator. Just as the doors begin to close, Dad calls out, “Wait. Tomorrow? Are you coming back to work today?”
I flash a cheeky smile. “Not sure if I’ll have time. Love you!”
The doors shut, and I pull out my phone, an idea forming in my head. I quickly type out a message to Henry:
Me: If you want to see me, you can find me here.
I attach the address and hit send, a grin tugging at my lips as I step out into the sunshine. It’s no booty call, but it is a headfirst dive into a deep end of a different kind.
I can’t wait to see his face.
Henry
I pull up to the address Avery sent me, half expecting some trendy new restaurant or boutique or plastic surgeon she scheduled to repair my supposed sun damage, but find instead an ornate, gated entrance with a gold sign that reads The Pines: A Luxury Retirement Village.
I see several multiunit condo buildings when I first pull in, their backsides planted square on the beach, and if I crane my neck, I can see some more private residences through the back end of the parking lot.
I pull into a space in front of the first building, not knowing exactly where I’m supposed to be and why the hell anything would be in a luxury retirement village in the first place.
I blink, glancing back down at the message on my phone to double-check the address, and then smile as I confirm it’s correct. I swear, I’m never going to know what’s coming.
Typing fast, I send her a quick message.
Me: I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be with a woman who keeps me on my toes, but if you tell me we’re swinging with a bunch of senior citizens, I’m going to have to draw a line.
Her reply comes almost immediately.
Avery: HAHAHAHA. Just meet me in condo 305, you idiot.
Shaking my head, I shut off the engine and make my way to the specified building. The whole place screams money—pristine landscaping, valet golf carts, and a fountain in the courtyard that probably cost more than most people’s homes—and old wealth, at that. These aren’t the new, modern tech bros I see out at the clubs; this is wealth a la the Titanic.
I knock on the door of condo 305 with a small knot in my stomach and a gleam in my eye. I’m not sure what the hell Avery Banks is up to, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled she picked a place without paparazzi—an unfortunate reality I’m growing increasingly annoyed with since we arrived back from the island nearly two weeks ago.
When the door swings open, I’m greeted by an elderly woman with perfectly coiffed hair and a mischievous glint in her eye. She fits the location, but she doesn’t fit anything else. Not unless my girlfriend found a way to shape-shift or teleport the two of us about fifty years ahead in Earth’s timeline.
“Avery? Is that you?” I question a little teasingly, and the woman, thankfully, laughs. I suppose I can mark the possibility of dementia-related charity work off the list.
“Oh my, aren’t you just a tall drink of water?” Her gaze sweeps me from head to toe. “The news made you look a little shorter. Less rugged. I mean, my God, sweetie, you’re something.” She giggles again. “I would have broken your heart back in my day.”
I chuckle a little and try to smile, leaning to look around the random old lady who seems to know me without me knowing her. “Um, thanks…I think. Is Avery here, by any chance? I’m supposed to be meeting her.”
“I’m Ethel.” She grins and holds out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Come on in, honey.”
The thing is, she still hasn’t said if Avery is actually here or not.
She steps aside but not before giving my bicep a little pat. “I’ll get you a nice glass of lemonade if you flex for me just—”
“Hands off, Ethel,” Avery’s voice finally calls from inside, sending a zing of relief down my spine. “He’s mine.”