Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
The furniture wasn’t over the top, but more simple and cozy. It truly looked as if people lived here. The house was clean, but a few toys were spotted here and there. A large navy-blue sofa held a stunningly beautiful older woman with dark hair and eyes the color of the sky. Next to her was Noel. She really was her father’s daughter.
Jumping up, Noel smiled at me. “Ms. Emma! You wook so pwetty today!”
I felt my cheeks heat, and before I could stop myself, my hands covered my cheeks. Dropping my arms to my side, I bent down to look Emma straight in the face. “Why thank you for such a sweet compliment.”
Noel grinned and I noticed she had lost a front tooth. “Daddy says you’re pwetty too. All da time to Uncle Doug.”
I glanced up to Harrison who simply grinned. Averting my eyes away from him, I focused back on Emma. “Is that so?”
She nodded. “Me and Gwammy were playing. You want to play too?”
“We’re going to be eating lunch soon, Noel. Then Ms. Emma and I need to talk to Grammy about a dinner we’re planning.”
Noel’s eyes lit up. “Can I come?”
Before I had a chance to answer, Harrison’s mother did. “This is a grown-up dinner, angel.”
I stood and reached my hand out. “Hello, I’m Emma Jennings? It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Maggio.”
Taking my hand and giving me a firm handshake, she replied, “Please, call me Joyce. And the pleasure is all mine.”
Harrison clapped his hands together. “I’m going to finish up. Noel?” Turning to his daughter, he asked, “Would you like to show Ms. Emma around?”
Jumping in excitement, Noel grabbed my hand and pulled me back toward the hallway I had just walked through.
“I’m gonna show you my woom!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Noel had indeed showed me her room. The walls were painted in a soft pink color. A white canopy bed sat in the middle with a little table and chairs to one side, and a nightstand on the other. Across from the bed was a wall of built-in drawers and cabinets.
“I have my own bafwoom too!” Noel stated as she took my hand again. It was a cute little bathroom done up in fairies.
Next, she showed me where the guests could go potty. Her words, not mine. It was one of the most elegant half baths I’d ever seen. The walls were covered in a beige tile with an intricate pattern that looked like it was taken from Italy.
Harrison met us in the hallway. “Grammy needs your help in deciding what to put on your salad.”
Noel gasped with excitement and rushed past him and into the kitchen.
“All that’s left to show you is my room.”
I felt my stomach do a little flip as he motioned for me to go down a smaller hallway. He had to be paying a fortune for this place. It was a large apartment, and with the location, well, let’s just say, it was stunning.
Slowly making my way past him, I walked down a hall that had closets on one side and the other was filled with family photos on the wall.
I drew in a breath as I stepped into the large bedroom. A soft gray covered the walls. There was another wall of built-ins like what had been in Noel’s room, and opposite it sat a luxurious king-size bed. A silver wallpaper covered that wall, and a beautiful dark silver headboard was the centerpiece. The bed was covered in a white comforter that looked so cozy and warm I wanted to run and fall on it to see if it was as soft as it looked. Two nightstands flanked the bed. One of them held a framed picture of Harrison and Noel. She was cupping his face and looking at him like he was her entire world. It was beautiful. Another chair sat in the corner with a blanket thrown over the back of it. Two large windows offered views of the city. It was a simple bedroom, but it felt so cozy.
My eyes landed back on the bed, and I felt my cheeks heating again. Then I felt the warmth of Harrison’s body behind me. He leaned in and placed his mouth to my ear and whispered, “Just so you know, you’re the first woman besides my mother who has stood in this room.”
A strange warming sensation rushed through my entire body, and I fought to keep my breathing under control.
“You’ve, you’ve never brought your girlfriend here?”
His laugh was soft, and his breath tickled the back of my neck. “I don’t date. Or at least, I’ve never met a woman I want to introduce Noel to.”
I closed my eyes and pushed away the strange feelings swirling around in my chest and stomach. Was that jealousy at the thought of Harrison being with a woman?