Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Kian Abrams.
Sweet, perfect, beautiful Kian.
I can’t look away as he bounces across the street, waving to familiar people in cars. His brown hair is perfectly styled—the Atlantic Ocean wind tunneling down Main Street is no match for it either. Today he’s well put together like usual in light blue and navy plaid pants that hug his trim frame, black shoes that give him an extra inch or two on his usually shorter stature, and a gray leather jacket that fits him well. The scarf he’s wearing is his source of color—mustard yellow and fancily tied at his neck. His smile and the bright hazel eyes are meant for everyone…but me.
Our eyes lock as he steps onto the sidewalk. In one glance, I steal his smile. Just like that. His brows furrow and my shoulders hunch. It’ll always be like this. The silent looks of disappointment he flashes my way. The drowning guilt I suffocate in.
“Why am I not enough for you?”
His words still haunt me to this day. He was everything and more. I was just too much of a pussy to step out of the closet with him. To tell the whole damn town we were an item. Had I had the balls to do that, we might very well be a couple to this day. Hell, maybe even married. I loved him more than I ever loved anyone in my life.
But I wasn’t brave for him.
He told the world he was gay and they accepted him.
I told no one, watching my secret high school sweetheart go forth and live the life I always wanted. Without me.
“Sheriff,” Kian greets, a forced, polite smile on his supple lips.
“Kian.” My voice is gruff. Words I always want to say to him sit right on the tip of my tongue. “How’s business? Blur & Focus doing well this winter?”
He stiffens but gives me a quick nod. “Yep. See you in the meeting.”
Like a lovesick puppy, I watch him go inside, checking out his ass in his plaid pants like I still have claim to it. Cato comes to stand beside me and lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Painful,” Cato says again. “Sometimes watching you is just too damn painful.”
I swallow down the hurt inside me and shrug. “Then look away, man.”
Dante
“You’re going to get sued,” I say with a chuckle as I lean back in my leather chair and swivel around to face the window overlooking Wolffish Bay. “Keep making chicks cry like that because you’re a fucking douchebag and you’re gonna get sued.”
My best friend, Adrian Frost, scoffs at my words. “For what? Sexual harassment? You know I’m strictly professional at work. I don’t flirt or put off any vibes that I’m one bit interested.”
I can imagine him in his New York office, pacing back and forth, anger rolling off him in waves. If he weren’t such a surly dickhead, I’d breach the topic of why I think he’s such a mean ass. He’s gay. Has to be. He certainly doesn’t realize it. Claims to be too busy for a love life. Truth is, he isn’t interested in dating because he isn’t interested in the female population.
“Besides,” he continues, “Tasha didn’t get fired. She quit. Just like they all do. It’s not my fault they can’t handle the workload. The new girl better have her shit together.”
“Maybe take a weekend off and come visit,” I offer. “This place is gorgeous and relaxing. So much potential.”
“Not all of us are going through a midlife crisis.” Adrian sighs. “Some of us don’t need a change. We just need consistency and for our employees to do their goddamn jobs without crying.”
I stifle another chuckle. “You need to get laid, man. If you come out here, I could take you to this awesome little place called Blur & Focus. One side is a wine bar while the other side is a dance club.” A gay dance club, but he doesn’t need to know that. “We’ve got a couple of the rooms almost ready here at the B&B. Make some time, Adrian.”
“I’ll think about it,” he agrees, much to my surprise. “I’ve got to run. We’ll talk later.”
He hangs up without saying goodbye. Typical Adrian. I shove my phone into my pocket and get caught staring at the ocean again. Wolffish Bay sparkles, even on gloomy January days. It’s deceptive really. As pretty as the water looks with fishing boats dotting the horizon, I know it’s cold as fuck out there. Come spring, though, and the warm breeze off the water will be inviting for our guests.
If only Dad could see us now. I’d like to think he’d be proud if he were still around. Even though my little sister Shelly and I worked hard for Kincaid Corp before cancer took Dad a year and a half ago, I think he’d like our new venture. Selling Kincaid Corp and moving up north to Brigs Ferry Bay was what we were destined to do.