Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“Are you going to be okay to make it through the rest of the day or do you need me to tell everyone that you caught a bug and are taking off the rest of the day?”
“I’ll be okay,” I say quietly, because even as sweet as her offer is there is no way that I want to go home to my empty apartment to sit there alone with my regrets for the rest of the day. It’s bad enough that I’ll have to do that this weekend, with Leah gone to her parents and my mom and dad out of town for a cruise around Alaska with my siblings, their spouses, and their kids. I’m on my own.
“All right.” She nods. “I still think you should take a few minutes before your next appointment and go splash some cold water on your face.”
“Thanks, Katy.” I stand and walk around my desk as she goes to open my office door. I don’t spend much time in the bathroom and by the time I get back to my office my next client is there waiting. Thankfully with how busy the day is, I don’t have a lot of time to dwell on what happened with Clay, but I know when I leave work that will all change.
_______________
STANDING IN FRONT of the wine selection in the grocery store I debate which bottle I should pick up for dinner at my cousin April’s this evening. Like she somehow knew that I needed a distraction tonight, she sent me a text this afternoon asking if I wanted to come over, and, of course, I immediately said “yes.” Since she got married and had her daughter, she spends a lot of time in Vegas, where her husband owns a popular club and where his family lives. I’ve missed her. Plus, I’m hoping to talk to her about Clay, since I know that when she got with her husband, she wasn’t exactly ready for him or how much her life would change after they got together. And it would be good to hear her opinion on things, especially knowing she won’t sugar coat it just to make me feel better.
“Willow.”
Hearing my name in a cute familiar voice, my heart sinks, and my breath freezes. Slowly, I turn, and when I do, I watch Winter hop, skip to where I’m standing. Before I even have a chance to prepare myself for impact, she runs into me and throws her arms around my waist causing me to fall back a step.
“Hey you.” I touch the top of her head and she tips her head back to smile up at me.
“I thought it was you.” She giggles then looks back over her shoulder. “I told you it was Willow.” She yells.
Relief floods my veins when not Clay, but Miles grins at his daughter.
“You were right.” He walks over then lifts his chin, reminding me so much of his brother. “Hey, Willow.”
“Hey, Miles,” I say softly then I look down at Winter. “How was school this week?”
“Great, and I totally aced my spelling test.” She smiles proudly.
“You did?”
“Yep.” She nods.
“That’s awesome. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Uncle Clay was going to take me out to ice cream, but he left.”
“He left?” I repeat, hoping like heck I heard her wrong.
“He’ll be back next week,” Miles says softly.
I lift my eyes off his daughter to meet his gaze.
“He just had to go take care of some business back in Boulder.”
“Oh.” I should not feel relieved. Should I?
“Do you want to have ice cream with us? We’re going to get all the stuff to make sundaes. Daddy said I could get whatever toppings I want, even gummy worms,” Winter says.
I can’t help but to smile at her excitement. “I would love to, but I’m having dinner with my cousin tonight.” I smooth my hand over her soft hair. “Maybe another time.”
“When Uncle Clay gets home?” She holds her hands together and looks up at me with big pleading eyes, making it impossible for me to tell her no.
“We’ll see, okay?”
“Okay.” She lets me off the hook then grabs her dad’s hand. “Bye, Willow.”
“Bye, honey.” I smile at her and say goodbye to Miles then watch them walk down the isle and disappear around the corner. When they are gone, I pick up a bottle of red wine, figuring it’s a safe bet, then head to check out. As I’m standing in line, my cell phone beeps, telling me that I have a message. When I pull it out of my bag, I’m relieved to see that it’s from Carly, although I’m a little surprised she didn’t call, because she is one of the few people I know who rarely texts.
Carly: I’m in Florida with my family. Thanks for checking in. I’m okay.
“Ma’am are you ready?” Pulling my eyes off my phone I look at the cashier and she holds out her hand.