Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 43102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
“Did I miss the rush?” I ask as I walk over and let my brother wrap his arms around me, hugging me close. I feel his lips in my hair, and it settles me.
Holden has always been my safe place. My big brother, fierce protector, father figure. He’s the only true parent I’ve ever known, and I love him so fiercely that it sometimes makes me emotional.
Because this man sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and he never complained. Not once.
“It just slowed down,” Millie says. “Iced or hot today?”
“Iced. It’s a million degrees outside.” I don’t move out of Holden’s hug as I reply to Millie.
“You okay, little one?” he asks me.
“I’m great, just missed you.” I squeeze him once more and pull away from him. “I haven’t seen you in a bit.”
“Only a couple of weeks, but we’re having dinner tomorrow night at our place. You’ll come.”
“Family dinner on a Tuesday?” I ask.
“It’s when Charlie’s available,” Millie says. Makes sense. Our baby sister is the most sought-after wedding planner in the county, and we’re in the heart of wedding season.
“Ah, gotcha.” I nod and gratefully accept the iced coffee from Millie and take a sip. “No one makes better coffee than you do.”
“Duh.” Millie winks at me. “What are you up to today?”
“I thought I’d set up a workstation in here or next door in the bookstore for the morning. I just dropped my car off to Brooks.”
“What’s wrong with your car?” Holden wants to know.
“Who knows? That’s why I dropped it off.” I smirk when Holden tugs on my hair.
“You’re not too old for me to spank.”
“You’ve never laid a hand on me in my life,” I remind him, and his blue eyes fill with love as he smiles at me. “What can I bring to dinner tomorrow night?”
“Oh, do you want to make your baked beans?” Millie asks. “They’re the best.”
It’s my mom’s recipe. I found it in the box of all of her recipes that I rescued from our childhood home before Holden burned it to the ground.
Best thing he ever did.
“Sure, I can do that. Anything else?”
“Just yourself.”
The door opens behind me, and a rush of tourists walks in. That’s my cue to move on.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night then,” I reply, hitching my bag on my shoulder. Millie moves to greet her customers, and Holden follows me toward the opening that leads to the bookstore.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asks me.
“I’m great.” I’m so not going to tell you that I had the best sex of my life with two men this weekend, big brother. “It’s just hot as fuck outside, and I hate summer. Aside from that, all is well. How are you?”
“It doesn’t matter—”
“Stop that.” I roll my eyes, and Holden lifts an eyebrow. “It matters how you are, Holden. I’m not six. I love you, you’re one of my very best friends, and I want to know how you are.”
“I’m great,” he says. “Do you need anything? I’ll pay for your car to get fixed.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. I don’t need anything.”
No way in hell will I tell him that my apartment is too hot. He’d make me move in with him and Millie, and as much as I love them, that’s a hard pass for me.
“Call me if anything comes up,” he says.
“Always.”
He kisses my forehead, and I walk into the bookstore, where it’s quieter. I’m shocked when I see Billie working today.
“Why are you here?” I demand as I walk to the counter where she’s typing away on her computer.
“I work here,” she says. She doesn’t look great. Billie is always so put together with flawless makeup and perfectly styled hair. But today, that hair is up in a messy bun, and even her makeup can’t hide the dark circles under her eyes.
“Are you okay, friend?” I set my coffee and bag down, then walk around the counter to hug her. “Dani called me last night. I’m so fucking sorry that happened, and so relieved that Connor was there to make sure you got somewhere safe.”
She clings to me for just a minute before backing away, blinking furiously to control her emotions.
“I’m okay,” she says. “Connor took care of me. I’m really tired today, and don’t feel fabulous, but I’m much better than yesterday.”
“You should probably be at home.”
Billie scrunches up her nose. “Not you too. Everyone has lectured me about working today.”
“Maybe you should listen to everyone.” I grin and push a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “We love you. We want you to feel better.”
“I know.” Her voice is soft, and that’s so unlike her. “I love you, too. I’ll probably just work half the day today and then go home and rest.”
“Good. I like a compromise.” With a glance around, I decide to work in one of the big, cozy chairs by the front window. “Do you mind if I set up shop here for a few hours to get some work done?”