Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 90972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
But now it’s real. My brain is buzzing like an overturned beehive, and my body hums with excitement and nerves by the time we come to a stop.
“Here we are,” he announces, even though he doesn’t need to. Is he nervous, too?
“This is…impressive.”
“I’ve been thinking about downsizing, to tell you the truth. It’s a lot for one person.”
So he lives here alone. I mean, I knew that, but getting the confirmation gives me an extra hit of relief. I don’t know why.
Stop kidding yourself. You know why. Yes, it’s the same reason why I accepted his invitation. The same reason I accepted Emma’s invitation, for that matter. I wanted to see her, of course, and it was nice getting to hang out with the twins after hearing so much about them through our texts and phone calls the past four months.
But secretly, way down deep in my heart, I was hoping I could see him. That maybe, just maybe, fate would do me a solid and put him in my path. Emma probably gave Easton the idea to bring him over. I’ll have to thank her.
Right now, I have to pretend not to be completely overwhelmed by the level of wealth all around me. “This is…a lot,” I whisper once we step inside.
The front entry hall is massive, with a curved staircase leading up to the second floor and big, airy rooms to my right and left. I could fit my whole house in one of them, easily.
“Like I said, I don’t think I need all the space. It’s a lot to maintain. Staff to pay and all that.” When I can’t help giggling, he gives me a quizzical look. “What’s so funny?”
“It’s just… you have all of this to think about now. You’re barely any older than me, but you’re handling all of this. I’m impressed.”
“I could give you a tour, if you want.” But I don’t think he wants to do that. I can tell by the way he sounds sort of half-hearted.
That’s fine, because I don’t want a tour. “Actually…” I’ve been waiting for this for months. All I want right now is you. “Actually, I’m pretty tired.” I wish I could come out and say exactly what I’m thinking and feeling. I wish I didn’t feel so awkward.
All he has to do is reach out and take my hand. That’s it. The first touch is magic, dissolving my fears, making me wonder why I was ever afraid in the first place. The same sense of wholeness I felt when I first saw him tonight settles into my bones. This is what I’ve been missing. While I’ve spent these four months building my life, becoming who I want to be, I’ve missed this. Now, I can do anything.
Including letting him lead me up the stairs. “It is really beautiful,” I murmur, while my heart tries to burst out of my chest. I don’t have to be nervous. This is Kellen. All of the past is behind us—his father is dead; there’s no reason for anybody to hurt me. No more threats. So why are my hands starting to get sweaty? I kind of wish he wasn’t holding it. It’s a little embarrassing.
If he notices, he doesn’t care. “I guess so. I don’t know. I have a lot on my mind these days.”
“Of course you do. And you’re handling it all so well — the twins told me so before you got there,” I confess.
“What else did they tell you?” At least there’s humor in his voice and a twinkle in his eye when he looks down at me after we’ve reached the upstairs hall.
“They said you’ve been working too hard,” I tell him. I believe that. He looks tired.
“Right now, I’m feeling pretty good.” He leads me to the end of the hall, where a sprawling bedroom waits. It’s an entire suite, I realize—there’s a dressing room, a separate sitting area, a large, attached bathroom. “I decided to take this for myself,” he explains, like he has to justify it. “I replaced the furniture.”
“It’s gorgeous.” It doesn’t feel like that’s the right word, but I can’t come up with a better one. I’m too overwhelmed. This is all so much. I’m standing in Kellen’s bedroom after seeing him for the first time in months and telling myself over and over that I had to get him out of my system. That we were nothing, that I had to get used to it.
Deep down inside, did I ever really believe that?
But being here with him and actually sleeping in the same bed are two different things. I’m shifting my weight from one foot to the other when he notices and frowns. “Hey, listen to me.” Perching at the foot of the bed, he offers a shrug, but I see through his attempts at being casual. He’s as nervous as I am. There’s something sweet about that. “I only want to be with you. Near you, I mean. I didn’t bring you here with any other expectations. If you want, I promise I won’t touch you,” he concludes.