Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
She’s fucking amazing.
“I decided to use my privilege for something magical for these wee ones who struggled with something I can’t imagine going through. I guess you could say we grant wishes. If a little boy wants to meet his sports hero, or a girl wants to meet a pop star, or whatever it might be, we make it happen at no cost to the parents.”
“That’s an incredible idea.”
“Well, I can’t take all the credit. Sure, the idea was mine, but I don’t have a ton to do with the foundation, mostly because I’ve always been so busy with work. But now that I’m no longer performing, I can at least go to fundraisers and be more of a face for the organization. I don’t honestly mind going. I just wish that I’d had more notice.”
“This is a last-minute dinner?”
“No, but I didn’t read my father’s email about it last month.” She presses her lips together, then shrugs a shoulder. “He’s always trying to get me more involved with the business, and I don’t want to. It’s just not what I’m meant to do with my life. That’s all Connor. So if Da sends something that looks professional, I delete it right away and get on with my day.”
I can’t help but laugh as our meals are set in front of us.
“And,” she continues, “now that you’re going, I’m excited for it.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to it.” I take a bite of lasagna, my eyes pinned to her pink lips as she chews her food. Jesus, I’ve missed those lips this week. She reaches across the table and takes a bite of my lasagna and nods in appreciation. “Did you finish the book?”
“Yes.” Her eyes shine as a smile spreads over her face, and she offers me a bite of her meal, which I take. “You?”
“Of course, I did. And I’m about to go back to the beginning and buy books one and two from Bee.”
“You don’t have to. I own them on paperback as well as e-book because I’m obsessed. You can borrow them. Just don’t break the spines.”
“I’m not an animal. Of course I won’t break the spines.”
She laughs and takes another bite off my plate. “Did you enjoy the rest of the story, then?”
“I really did. There was action, sex, a little mushy stuff, but the action made up for it. What did you think of it?”
“I think it’s my favorite of the series so far although it’s hard to choose.” She pulls another piece of bread onto her plate.
“And what is it about these books that you love so much?”
She takes a bite of her pasta and squints her eyes, thinking. After swallowing, she says, “It’s several things. Yes, I enjoy the spice, but without the chemistry and the connection between the characters, the spice doesn’t matter. I like watching a relationship build, and I love it when friend groups are involved or family that scoops up a character and says, ‘You’re one of us now.’ I enjoy banter and humor. Like in Dom, when they go to the mountain house with Val’s brother and his friends, and the guys are so funny together, I was rolling with laughter.”
“So you like the relationships in general.”
“Aye, I do. I want to see it all unfold. Maybe I’m nosy.” She shrugs that bare shoulder and takes another bite. “What did you like about it?”
I grin at her. “The sex and the action.”
She laughs and picks up her water glass. “To sex and action.”
Chapter Eighteen
SKYLA
“Miller will arrive in five minutes to get us and take us to the airport,” I inform Beckett. He’s sitting calmly in the chair in the corner of my bedroom, watching me as I bustle around packing up anything last minute that I might need. I’m glad he’s here because my stomach is out of control with nerves. “Did I grab my curling iron?”
“Yes, and then you double-checked it,” he says with a chuckle. “Why are you so nervous? This is a one-night trip.”
“I’m not nervous,” I lie, shaking my head, unable to meet his eyes because he’ll see right through me. “Shite, did I grab Riley’s favorite chews?”
“We have all of Riley’s things ready to go,” Beck confirms. Standing from the chair, he crosses to me, takes my shoulders in his hands, and kisses my forehead. It’s amazing how just one touch from this man calms my nervous system right down. “Breathe, Irish.”
“I don’t want to forget anything.”
“We’re going to LA, not the tundra of Siberia. If we forget something, we can find it there as long as we have our phones and a wallet.”
“I know, but—”
His lips press to mine, effectively shutting me up, and I melt into him. He wraps his strong arms around me, hugging me while he kisses me, and it’s just the comfort I need right now.