Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“I’ll figure something out, even if I have to ask to speak with him privately to get him over here alone.”
“That makes sense.” I inhaled a calming breath and let it go. “Thank you so much for your help.”
“Liv is a nice girl, Primrose. But make no mistake, I’m on your side. I will always be rooting for you.”
I felt tears behind my eyes. “The fact that you’re here with me right now is a blessing.”
“Very well, then.” He stood. “Now that you’re properly hydrated, what else can I get you to drink?”
“Something strong.” I chuckled.
“I’ve got just the thing. Coming right up.”
He bustled in the kitchen and brought me over a shot glass of what smelled like tequila. I downed it.
Benjamin laughed. “How about another?”
“No.” I held out my palms. “This should do it. I just needed something to help me relax a bit.”
“I’ve ordered us some takeout—the fried chicken you used to like from the restaurant on the boardwalk.”
My stomach growled. “Thank you so much. I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
He brought over a glass of wine for himself and kicked his feet up. “How’s that beautiful little girl of yours?”
“She’s truly wonderful. This is the first time I’ve left her.”
“I think it’s good for kids to learn how to adapt to different situations. It will be helpful for her in the long term to experience time away from you.”
“Thank you for trying to make me feel better, Benjamin.”
He smiled. “You and I have a long history. We’ve been through some difficult circumstances together. Just as I look at Dorian like a son, I care for you like I would my own daughter.”
This time, when I felt the urge to cry, I let go and my tears spilled over. “As someone who has no living parents, that means a lot.”
He smiled and stood. “While we’re waiting for the food to arrive, I’m going to go set up the guest room for you.”
“Thank you again, Benjamin.”
Alone in the living room, I thought about how different this moment felt from what I’d imagined it could be. Instead of running into Dorian’s open arms, I’d seen another woman in his arms instead. Instead of sleeping next to him in the mansion, I’d be tossing and turning all night in the guest house as I pondered whether staying was a colossal mistake.
***
The following morning, Benjamin offered to go out and get coffee for me. He didn’t stock any here at the guest house since he only drank tea. Given the headache I was currently experiencing, I wasn’t going to argue with him. No way could I handle facing Dorian today without my morning caffeine. So Benjamin left, and I used the opportunity to call home and check on my daughter.
Casey’s mother answered. “Hi, Primrose. You have someone here very anxious to talk to you.”
“Thanks, Karen. Put her on.”
“It’s Mommy,” I could hear her tell Rosie.
Then came her little voice, “Hi, Mommy.”
“Hi, baby. How are you?”
“Good.”
“Good! I’m so happy to hear that.”
“When are you coming home?”
“Seven days. You know that. I marked it on your calendar.”
“I know.”
“What are you doing today?”
“Grandma is taking me to the park.”
“Very nice. I’m happy you’re getting out. Please be good and don’t go too far from her, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I love you, Rosie.”
“Love you, Mommy.”
“Can you give the phone back to Grandma?”
After a few seconds, Karen came on the line. “Hey...”
“Thanks for taking her out today.”
“Well, the weather is going to be decent.”
“Great.”
“Are you having a good trip so far?”
“Yes,” I lied.
“Very nice. Okay. I won’t keep you.”
Before she could hang up, I said, “Karen?”
“Yes?”
“How’s Casey?” I gulped.
“You haven’t spoken to him?”
“No. Not since I arrived.”
“I haven’t seen him. He left for work before we got up.”
“Okay.” I paused. “I’ll call him later.”
I couldn’t imagine what was going on in Casey’s mind right now.
I’d just hung up the phone when the door opened. I rose to my feet to greet Benjamin, but then I almost immediately fell back on the couch.
Because it wasn’t Benjamin standing there.
It was Dorian.
CHAPTER 31
* * *
Dorian
It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.
I’d walked over to Benjamin’s to find out if he had any eggs, and now I was face to face with Primrose.
Primrose.
What the hell?
“What…what are you doing here, Primrose?”
She was wearing a crop top. Not once had she worn one back in Cincinnati. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought I’d been transported back in time. Either that, or I was hallucinating.
When she didn’t answer me, I asked again. “Primrose, talk to me. What’s going on? Why are you here?”
Her eyes glistened.
Is she about to cry? “Are you okay? Did something happen in Ohio?”
She shook her head. “No. Nothing bad happened. I’m sorry to have scared you. My daughter’s fine. Everyone is fine. But you weren’t supposed to find me here. I’m just in shock right now.”