Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 43239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
“Your mom never brings him up?” I ask.
“She was never the same after she had me. She had depression for five years and just…” He trails off. “I don’t know.”
He hesitates, staring out at nothing.
“I watch old family-style sitcoms just to see what it looks like when people don’t hate their families.” He admits. “Pathetic, isn’t it?”
“No.” I shake my head and squeeze his hand. “I watch shows like that every night, too…”
THIRTY-ONE
ELIZA
Three hours later
Harrison
Be ready at 7.
I found something that I think will make you feel better.
He doesn’t say anything else.
At exactly 7:00 p.m., Harrison holds the car door open for me outside of Le Jardin, one of the most exclusive dinner spots in Manhattan. He slips his blazer over my bare shoulders and guides me past the doorman into a room full of empty, white-linen-covered tables and soft candlelight.
There’s only one patron seated in the corner.
I hesitate as I recognize him, my heart picking up speed as I move closer, my heels suddenly too loud on the marble.
“Lance?” I whisper.
“Eliza?” He stands slowly, squinting at me like I might be a mirage. “What the… I was told you were coming, but—” He trails off, studying me with wide eyes.
“Wow.” He pulls me into a hug. “You look phenomenal.”
“Thank you… I thought you were living in L.A.” I gasp. “I could’ve sworn…”
“I am, but I come here on weekends.”
I swallow, wishing I knew that before now.
“Does Jackson know about this?” he asks as we sit down.
“This?”
“You and your new boyfriend.” He smirks.
“Where?”
“Oh, okay.” He grins, glancing toward Harrison, who’s already slipping away toward the entrance. “In that case, does he know you’re sleeping with that guy? I mean—dating that guy?”
“No, because I’m not sleeping with him or dating him.”
“It’s obvious as hell, Eliza.”
“No, it’s not. Because it’s not happening…”
“Your cheeks are pink as hell,” he says. “And I saw him kiss you outside before you walked in.”
I gasp, and feel my face heat up even more.
“Exactly. Thanks for confirming.” He grins. “He looks like he really likes you, though. That’s a good thing.”
“How would you know?”
“I’m a guy,” he says simply. “We know.”
I glance down at my lap. “Can you tell that I want you to come home?”
He sighs, softer now. “I’ve told you again and again—there’s nothing back home for me. Nothing but you.”
“You don’t even visit for holidays.”
“The farm’s not big enough for me and Harrison anymore.” His expression shifts, something weighted pressing between us. “You know how he is.”
I know how you both are.
I set my napkin down gently and decide not to push. Their rift is between them. Nothing I say will sew it together.
Even if part of me still resents the fact that he left—left me—to chase something else.
“It looks like you’re doing great,” I say instead. “I watch your stuff on my breaks when I can. I’m really excited about your book.”
“My publisher is too.” He nods. “We’ve got half a million pre-orders already.”
“Are you serious?”
“Dead-ass.”
“How much of the royalties will you be sending to your favorite sister?”
He laughs. “I think you’ll be richer than me soon. I saw that the farm got the Most Anticipated Presentation award after registration, so walk me through one of your pitches.”
“Wait—you really want to hear it?”
“Absolutely.” He motions for the server to lower the music, and I stand up like he’s a potential investor.
I pretend he’s a flower vendor in need of premium soil, and I run through every reason why our land and experience are worth the investment.
When I finish, Lance stands and claps, loud and proud. Then he pulls me into another hug.
“Mom would be so damn proud of you, Eliza. So damn proud.”
“You really believe that?”
“I know that.” He kisses my forehead. “For a second, I thought I was watching her instead of you.”
My heart squeezes at that, fluttering with emotion as he finally lets me go.
“How much time do I have left before your ‘boyfriend’ comes back for you?”
“There’s no limit.” I stop fighting the word, even if I’m still not convinced that’s what we are.
“In that case, let me drive you around the city a bit. Show you my favorite spots before dropping you off at…where are you staying?”
“With my boyfriend.”
He laughs. “Tell him I’ll bring you home then.”
“Will do.” I stand and walk with him to the door, pausing only when he glances sideways at me.
“You think Jackson would hate it if I dated Harrison?” I ask.
“That guy is Harrison?” He stops walking. “His college roommate Harrison?”
“Yeah…”
“Oh, shit.” He lets out a laugh, shaking his head. “I’m gonna be honest with you…”
“Okay?”
“Yes—he’ll fucking hate it.” He grins. “But if he trusted Harrison enough to bring you up here and let him help, then maybe—maybe—he’ll eventually come around.”
“So, I should tell Jackson that I really like him?”
“Fuck no.” He gives me a horrified look. “Wait until you get back home. See if your relationship even survives real life.”