Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
This time home isn’t only going to be about getting Mable to fall in love; it’s also to see how this all plays out. Not only in the public eye but also with my family and, most importantly, Mable. Then I might have to make big changes no one will be happy about.
Too bad for them, Mable’s happiness will always come first. She’ll be my wife and the mother of my children one day. At least that’s my plan, and if I’m good at anything, it’s getting things to go how I want them. I’ve spent my whole life maneuvering deals.
James and Mable go back and forth talking, and I end up getting our drinks. My parents board but must get the message that I sat over here for a reason. They take an area up and to the left but give us smiles before sitting.
I’m about to sit beside Mable when I hear the loud click of heels on the stairs. Cordelia appears in the cabin doorway, all smiles, her eyes finding Mable immediately and then over to me.
“Wells! I hoped I’d catch you.” She moves past me without waiting for an invitation, dropping into the seat across from Mable. “Eleanor mentioned you were heading back early. I had some business in the city, so I thought I’d hitch a ride.”
Fucking hell. I wanted to be alone with Mable.
“John, can I get an espresso?” Cordelia asks him.
“James,” I correct.
“Shit, sorry, see, I need the coffee clearly.” She lets out a playful laugh, but I can tell it’s fake. Maybe she’s embarrassed for calling him the wrong name. She knows James, or at least she should.
I stare at her, my jaw tight. “Cordelia,” I say, my voice low. “A word.”
“After takeoff.” She smiles at Mable, all teeth. “Did you enjoy the wedding?” Cordelia asks her.
That old temper of mine flares again. The one I thought I mastered keeping under control long ago. I don’t want to share Mable right now—fuck, maybe ever.
The pilot’s voice comes over the intercom, letting us know we will be taking off soon, and I force myself into my seat, my shoulder pressed against Mable’s. I reach over and put my hand on her leg.
Cordelia chatters through takeoff—about the wedding, about mutual acquaintances, about nothing, her voice filling the cabin. Has it always been this annoying?
The moment the captain says we’re clear, I’m on my feet.
“Cordelia. Now.” My tone brooks no argument.
Mable’s eyes are wide. “I’ll be right back, beautiful,” I soften my voice to tell her before heading toward the rear of the plane, and Cordelia follows me.
“What are you doing?” I stop and ask her when I think we’re far enough away.
“Should we?” She motions to the bedroom.
“No, here is perfectly fine.” Hell no am I going into a bedroom with her alone. I’d lose my mind if Mable did that.
“Sorry, you seemed to want to have this chat in private.”
“I don’t want to have this chat at all. But I’m flying home.” She tilts her head like she doesn’t understand why I’m worked up over this. Am I overreacting? She keeps coming.
“Eleanor said you were leaving early, and I had business in the city. I didn’t realize I’d need permission to board a family plane.”
That’s the thing: She’s not truly family. It’s my mom that is close to her mother. Because of that, we’ve all been pushed together. It’s a dick thought, but it’s there, nonetheless. She seems to make Mable uncomfortable, which in turn makes me on edge.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Her expression turns, and she looks confused. “Wells, what’s wrong?”
I stare at her. “Caldwell,” I correct her. The only person to ever have called me “Wells” is Mable. The first time had been when I had my mouth on her, so lost in the pleasure I was giving her she couldn’t say my full name.
“Oh sorry, I heard others saying it. I thought it was a new thing.” She puts her hands up like I’m being dramatic.
“The press. They thought we were getting married. Printed it as a headline.”
“Oh.” She laughs lightly and surprised. “That old rumor? It’s been around for years. You know how they are.”
“Mable heard it.”
Cordelia’s expression shifts, softening into something almost sympathetic. “Oh no. Is that why she’s so quiet? I thought she was just nervous about meeting everyone.” She steps closer, her voice dropping. “I would never want to cause problems for you. For either of you.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Well, I wanted to get back home, and because I want you to be happy.” She puts her hand on my arm, familiar and sisterly. “It’s a new place for Mable. New country, new customs, new everything. She’ll need friends. I’m trying to help.”
I look at her, searching for the lie. The same eyes that cried at my grandfather’s funeral peer back at me.