Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
When I step out into the corridor and glance down the familiar hallway, a wave of nervous energy crashes over me. The thought of spending a night with Bran after so long is surreal. It’s also slightly terrifying, because I know it won’t be like any other experience I’ve ever had.
But for all my anticipation, part of me can’t help feeling torn. Every memory I have of him seems to be blurred by the past and present.
I’ve never seen beneath Bran’s mask, but my subconscious is all too happy to fill in the gaps—with the expressions, mannerisms, and dark eyes of the man who’s currently upending my life.
I have enough to worry about without adding the moral ambiguity of that problem to my life. The best I can hope for is that the issue will self-correct by Saturday.
By the time I get to Black Velvet and start prepping for the show, I manage to put it from my mind.
Hair and makeup are often an hours-long process, depending on the performance. Tonight I’ll be doing one ensemble act and two solos. That calls for my signature look—vintage waves and the classic combination of a matte face, winged liner, dramatic lashes, and a red lip.
When I arrive, the dressing room is already buzzing with activity and a racket of music, laughter, and hairspray. After stopping to chat with a few of my friends along the way, I take a seat at my vanity, casting Kenzie a sidelong glance. She’s at the space next to mine, and I only have to raise a brow for her to understand my unspoken question.
“It was amazing,” she answers dreamily. “I’m sorry I didn’t update you. But honestly, we kept at it all weekend.”
“In that case, I highly approve.” I laugh. “I always suspected he’d be an animal in bed. The quiet ones usually are.”
“You have no idea.” She smirks. “I’m definitely keeping him.”
“I’m so happy for you,” I tell her, and I genuinely mean it.
Kenzie deserves nothing but the best, and I can personally vouch for Andreas. He’s one of Ares’ guards, and he saved my life when he found my ex beating me.
My arranged marriage was due to take place the next day, and he took me to Ares and helped me escape. Ultimately, that’s how I ended up in Seattle.
When Kenzie had a problematic customer of her own, I asked Ares if Andreas could help her out. I’m pretty sure he’s been in love with her ever since.
“I think it’s safe to say I found one of the good ones .” Kenzie dabs some perfume onto her wrists. “Thanks to you.”
“He would have found his way to you eventually.”
“I don’t know about that,” she says. “When you told me you knew a friend of a friend who could drive me home for a while, I never thought it would turn into this.”
“Well, to be fair, the man ended up driving you home every night for a year before he finally made a move.”
She stifles a laugh. “I genuinely couldn’t figure out if he liked me or if he just thought that was his new job.”
“He was playing the super long game, apparently.”
Kenzie smiles, and a beat of silence passes as she seems to consider something.
“There’s just one thing,” she hedges.
“What?”
She shoots me a nervous glance. “We talked about our future, and well, he pretty much said he wants to make me his wife and put babies in me.”
“I imagine he was all serious when he said it too,” I tease.
“Oh, he was.” Her eyes glimmer with amusement. “He also said he wants to provide for me so I don’t have to work anymore.”
“Well, I don’t think that should come as a surprise. That man wants to give you the world.”
“I know we’ve only been together for a year, but when he talks about marriage and kids and stuff, I really want that.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know if there is one,” she says. “I guess I just wanted to get your thoughts. I can always count on you to tell me the truth without sugarcoating it. Do you think it’s crazy for me to let go of my job when it gets to that point?”
“I don’t think it’s crazy if that’s what you want.”
“Really? I was so sure you’d say it was a mistake.”
“You’re the only one who can decide what’s right for you,” I tell her. “And honestly, I’m probably not the best person to ask, because I’m a little jaded. But if I were in your position, and I was with someone I could wholeheartedly trust, I wouldn’t say no.”
“Seriously?” She raises her brows. “I had no idea you were over here harboring trad wife fantasies.”
A laugh escapes me when I see the shock on her face. “I’m independent now because I learned how to survive on my own. But believe it or not, I used to love the idea of being a wife and mother. I think women get judged no matter what they do, so we should all just live our lives on our own terms and forget the rest.”