Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
He returned my smile as he lowered his head. Before his lips claimed mine, he said, “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
CHAPTER 64
MADISON
Six months later
“Call a plumber!”
“Absolutely not. I can do this,” came the muffled answer from below the counter.
The bookshop bell chimed as the door swung open.
Rylee entered with several pastry boxes stacked high in her hands. “Hot pastries coming through!”
I took two off the top and set them aside. She looked at the espresso machine which was cocked at an odd angle, surrounded by several spare parts. “Espresso machine set up yet?”
There was a curse from under the counter.
“Not quite,” I answered.
She opened one of the boxes and the warm, buttery scent of croissants rose with the swirls of steam. “Why don’t you just call a plumber?”
I leaned over and spied Pierce in a pair of jeans and a gray T-shirt. Within reach was a shiny new toolbox and an open copy of Plumbing for Dummies. “Did you want to answer that, darling?”
Pierce sat up and reached for the espresso machine manual. “I don’t need to pay someone. I’m the CEO of a multibillion-dollar empire. I’m perfectly capable of figuring out how to install a water supply line.”
Rylee and I exchanged a look.
Just then the door swung open a second time.
Greyson and Hailey walked in—mid-argument.
“You didn’t have to hit the man!”
Greyson grinned. “Agree to disagree, little bird. He touched what’s mine.”
She propped her hand on her hip. “He was kissing the back of my hand as he paid me a compliment.”
“And now he’ll know better.”
She threw her arms into the air. “You’re impossible.”
“That’s why you love me.”
She cocked her head to the side. “We’ve been over this. I love you for your money.”
He shrugged. “All the same to me.”
He wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her in close for a kiss.
It wasn’t true, of course. They had a toxic, gloriously fucked-up relationship but it was clear Hailey adored him as much as he doted on her.
When they pulled free, they finally realized other people were in the room.
Hailey gave me a hug and then asked, “Are you ready for the grand opening of Borrowed Time’s new cafe counter?”
Greyson had joined Pierce on the floor. They were in deep discussion over the espresso machine manual.
“Not exactly. Because someone won’t call a plumber.”
Pierce leapt over the counter and stalked toward me. “That’s right, Mrs. Worthington, and let me tell you why—”
I shrieked with laughter as I backed up, palms raised. “Pierce! There are people watching!”
He continued pressing forward. “Let them watch.”
He backed me against one of the bookshelves and braced his hands over my head. “The answer is because the love of my life has turned me into a boring, law-abiding citizen who now takes pleasure in a hard day’s labor.”
I bunched his T-shirt in my fist, wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled him in closer. “I hope that’s not the only thing you take pleasure in.”
Pierce reached down, grabbed my hand and pulled me deeper into the stacks as he shouted over his shoulder, “Greyson, call a damn plumber!”