Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 35957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“No, this can be said out in the open. We’ll get this done and over with and go about our day.” Watching Serena take over this conversation was the last thing I expected.
“I’ll answer, then. Since the beginning. I’d apologize, but it’d be a lie. The best thing that happened to me is Serena, and while I was reluctant to train her, I saw the error of my ways immediately, even while trying to resist. She’s shattered every rule I imposed on myself, broken down every wall I erected, and made me realize there’s more to life than this perfectly curated world I sought out.”
“Wow,” Val breathes with a look of wonder on her face. My gaze swings from Val’s to Todd’s, who looks like he’s about to lose his shit judging by the clenching of his jaw.
“Uncle Todd, I don’t want you to be upset with Crew. I pursued him from the very beginning. Maybe I didn’t mean to slam into him at the elevator banks or again later, and then again.” My lips tilt in a smirk, remembering the last time she had a spill of sorts. Serena on her hands and knees and me following behind her. Fuck me, that was a hot-as-hell day. Shit, every day since meeting her has only gotten better. “It’s like how you and Aunt Val fell for one another, how my parents did the same. Maybe we should have resisted one another until I was on my feet and further established with work. Maybe I should have quit working here and found another company.” I make a noise in the back of my throat, absolutely loathing the thought of Serena working somewhere else entirely. I’m pretty sure I’d pull a Jude, have him put a tracker on her phone, her car, and then start working remotely, in my car in the hopes I can get so much of a glimpse of my woman.
“No, I don’t want that, either. I’m not mad, not upset, and not disappointed.” Todd barely gets the words out after making a grunt of his own.
“You absolutely aren’t allowed to be, either. I’d make you sleep on the couch if you ever uttered those words to our niece. Who, by the way, is of able body and mind to make decisions about her career, her love life, and anything else she wants. Jesus.” Val looks like she’s about ready to pick her purse off the table and give Todd a good whack with it.
“You’re right, but it’s hard to let her go. I assume Crew is the reason you’ve been staying home instead of eating dinner with us?” I lock my fingers with Serena’s that are still on my thigh.
“You mean the dinners where you invited me because you knew money was tight and I had no life outside of Talia and Mackie? Plus, no offense, Aunt Val and Uncle Todd, a casino cruise where I have to spend money, well, it isn’t my cup of tea.” I hold back a laugh. When Serena is on a roll, it seems like she doesn’t know when to stop.
“I don’t even enjoy half the dinners, probably dodged a bullet with the casino cruise. The drinks were watered down, and the food was terrible,” Todd says.
“You can stay home next time,” Val replies without holding back. I can only imagine the spitfire attitude runs in the family with all the women on the Beck side.
“I might take you up on that. Sports, a couch, and a nap sounds like a good idea.” Serena laughs, stands up from her place on the couch, and walks toward her aunt and uncle. She sits on the coffee table, grabs their hands, and I watch the entire interaction.
“I love you both, and I’m grateful for everyone in my life, my parents included. But there’s also a part of my life where I need to explore, to find love, and to do that, it needs to be with Crew. Please don’t be upset with him or me.” I should have known she would pull out the big guns, make Todd see that this is real and it’s not me taking advantage of his niece.
“We love you, and we’re not upset with either of you.” Val leans in to kiss her cheek. When Todd stays quiet, she looks at him sharply and says, “Are we, Todd?”
“No, we’re not. I suppose this is part of the reason there are new locks and why Crew has been more irritated every time I barge into his office.”
“To be fair dear, that’s a bad habit of yours, and one I’ve yet to break. Crew knocked before entering here earlier, you know.” Val is clearly on our side and in Serena’s corner no matter what.
“Woman, are you suggesting you’ve been training me? Don’t forget who pays the credit card bills monthly.” The atmosphere changes, no longer is it thick with worry from Serena, and Todd doesn’t look like he’s ready to clock my lights out. I wouldn’t let him. We’re not in high school, and although he loves her like his own, there’s no reason to start a fight.