Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
I pull out my phone to tell Darcy I’m just coming into the lobby when I hear her familiar squeal. I spin around and she comes at me, her arms flinging around me.
“I think this is the longest we’ve ever been away from each other,” she says.
I grin as she pulls back and holds me by the shoulders. “You’re crazy,” I say.
“Of course I’m crazy. I have a weekend by myself without my husband and kids. I love them all dearly, but a girls’ weekend? What could be better than that?”
“I’m not sure this qualifies as a girls’ weekend.”
“Tell me you haven’t had your days off canceled?”
I shake my head. “No, but you’re here for your brother’s fortieth. Not for a girls’ weekend.”
“That’s just semantics.” She links her arm through mine. “Let’s go!” We head to the crossing. I don’t even know where we’re headed, but it doesn’t matter. As long as I get to hang out with my best friend. “Did I tell you I booked glam for tomorrow night? Can you bring your stuff up to the hotel and get ready with me? It will be so much fun.”
I grin. That does sound like fun. “Like old times.”
“Exactly. Pre-children. Pre-responsibilities.”
“You’ve always had responsibilities. You’ve been looking after Woolton Hall your entire life.”
“It’s different. Plus, I was a kid then. Now I’m responsible for the physical and mental health of two other human beings. The pressure is real.”
“You’re a great mummy,” I say, feeling a tug of regret. I know Darcy loves her children as much as a person could, but knowing I probably won’t ever have children makes it a little more difficult to hear that she’s looking forward to time away from them. I think if I was ever lucky enough to become a mother, I’d strap them to my body and never let them leave.
“I’m only an okay mummy. That’s all anyone can be. You’ll get it when you have children.”
“If I have children,” I correct her. I still haven’t told her about my fertility results. I just can’t bear to talk about it. What’s the point? It won’t change anything and nobody can make me feel better about the fact I’m probably never going to be a mother.
“You just need to find someone to have children with. Speaking of, did you see any more of that guy who was staying at the hotel?”
“Deacon,” I say. He’s not that guy anymore. Not to me anyway. “Yeah, actually.”
“Oh?” she says. “Tell me more.”
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“The park of course. I always like to come and see the Bethesda Fountain the first morning after I arrive. It’s tradition.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah, since I was a kid. I used to think I’d find the love of my life wandering around it. It’s so romantic. Maybe you’ll find the love of your life there.”
I laugh. “In this heat, I’m more interested in finding an ice cream.”
“New York summers are insane. Back home, we’re still in our winter coats.”
“You are not,” I say, rolling my eyes. “It’s July.”
She laughs and we cross the road into the park. The heat seems to be a little more bearable inside the park, with the dappled shade of the trees cooling the pathways.
“Do you spend much time in the park?” she asks.
“I think this is just my second trip.” I feel like I just got to New York. There’s still so much to see and do. The time is passing so quickly. I’m not sure I’ll be ready to give it up and go back home at the end of the summer. “How’s Ryder?” I ask. “Is he excited for his party tomorrow night?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t spoken to him about it. Scarlett’s excited. You haven’t caught up with her since you’ve been here, have you?”
I shake my head. “First they were in Colorado, then Chilternshire with you, and then they flew straight to…” I can’t remember where they were going next.
“I think Ryder had to go to Canada for work.”
“Right,” I say. “Toronto.”
“But now they’re back in town, they’ll look after you.”
I don’t need looking after. Not now. I’ve found my feet in New York. I can’t believe it, but I’m okay. I was terrified coming over, but even thinking about how scared I was feels strange. It’s ridiculous that I’d be so concerned when this city is so…comfortable.
“It’s fine,” I say. “Work keeps me busy.”
“And Deacon? Are you seeing a lot of him?”
“Here and there,” I say noncommittally. “He has a daughter and he’s a devoted dad, so that takes up a lot of his time. Plus I’m working. There’s not a lot of time left in between.”
“Is it the summer fling I wanted for you?” she asks.
I laugh. “I don’t know about that.”
We get to the top of the steps leading down to the fountain. “It’s pretty,” I say. “It’s very New York.”