Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Oh, you were serious about that.” She smirks.
“Weren’t you?”
“Yes, but you won’t find anyone reputable on such short notice. My assistant already tried.”
“That sounds like a challenge.” One I’ll happily put Archie on.
“Fine. Tomorrow morning.” She pauses in thought. “And only if you come with me.”
“You want me to go fishing with you.” And I sense she actually means fishing. Olivia’s given no indication that I’d be of use to her any other way, which is a refreshing change of pace for me.
But, fuck, that means my entire morning gone, and my calendar is jam-packed. Plus, I have to get Britt from the airport.
“It’ll give you a chance to keep talking me into holding a corporate event here.”
“Belinda does need another gold watch.” I open and hold the door for her. “Stay tuned. You have my number if you need anything. I’m gonna go take my third time-share pitch for the day. I’ll see you at the cocktail reception later.” I turn to leave.
“Hey, Ronan?” Olivia nods to my knuckles. “Who’d you punch?”
I stretch my hand out in front of me to regard the discoloration. “Henry.”
Her jaw drops in genuine shock. “Seriously? Why?”
“I didn’t like the way he was speaking about my girlfriend.”
A strange look passes over her face. “You know, you’re different than I expected.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
“Well, I’m rarely wrong about people, so I’m surprised. Pleasantly so. See you later.”
She disappears inside the spa.
I’m halfway to my office to task Archie with chartering a fishing boat when I run into Abbi. She’s wearing a tropical-print bathing suit that hugs her belly and shows off her enormous tits, a flowing cover-up, and a wide-brim tan hat to shield her perfect skin.
“Pool or beach?” I ask.
“Haven’t decided yet, but I’m meeting Margo out there.” She collects my hand in hers to study my bruises. “How are you?”
“Looks worse than it is.”
She hums with disapproval. “That’s what Henry said too. I know you’re both lying. What was it about?”
“Nothing worth repeating.”
Her brow furrows. “Look, I tried talking to him about this expansion project of his, but he doesn’t seem too willing.”
“Yeah, I know. I appreciate it, though. What have you been up to?” I ask, changing the subject.
“This and that. Had some work to catch up on, but then I went to the spa, ate a nice meal. You know, enjoying my quiet time while I still can.” Her palm smooths over her belly.
“Still hard to believe there’s a whole-ass human growing in there.”
“I know, right?” She peers up at me. “What about you?”
I frown. “What about me?”
“You know … What about kids?”
“Uh …” Not a subject I’ve broached with anyone since Tasha, and now it’s been twice in one day? “Yeah, one day, I guess. I’m so far away from that, though.”
“Maybe not that far,” she challenges. “I mean, Sloane’s in the picture now, right?”
“Jesus, Red. I just met her.” I chuckle. “What did you two talk about yesterday?”
“Nothing! Just, you know, stuff.” She twirls a strand of her red hair between her fingertips.
It’s a dead giveaway when she’s nervous. “You’re acting squirrelly.”
“Am I? I guess it’s just my hormones? I go from laughing to crying in, like, seconds. Sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out with that question. I just have baby on the brain.”
“Right. Well … the only thing on my brain is finding a fishing charter so I can convince a very rich oil CEO to sign on with Wolf Hotels.”
She holds up her hands in surrender. “Don’t let me keep you, then.”
“See you at dinner tonight.” I give her forearm a friendly squeeze and then take off to find Archie.
19. Sloane
“You’re coming with us to Siren’s Call tonight!” Beverly declares, earning a raucous cheer from the others.
I laugh as I steer us into the harbor, where Jeremy’s group is climbing the steps up. After four hours on the water and countless cans of margaritas, these ladies are burned by the sun and pickled by the booze. I’ve seen this episode before, and I doubt they’ll even make it to dinner, let alone out to the bar.
“Would love to, but I have plans, remember? I’m going to see Gigi tonight.” They’ve all heard about her, fascinated by the origin story of the Sea Witch Brews and Cruise.
“Who is that?” Samantha pulls her sunglasses down, her eyes glued on the dock.
“Oh, that’s probably just Will, here to …” My words fade as I spot the lone figure standing on the dock with Jer. “That’s Ronan.” I also told them about him.
My heart rate ticks up.
The spunky woman lets out a low whistle. “Either I’m drunk, or that is one beautiful man you have there.”
I grin. “He is that.” And you’re drunk.
“Where? Jesus, I can’t see anything that far away.” Rhonda roots through her purse to fish out a pair of dark green-framed glasses that she slides on. “Oh, golly gee. Would ya look at that.” Rhonda has a two-year-old granddaughter at home and uses words like golly gee and oh, shucks instead of Beverly’s colorful array of fucks and shits.