Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
I push my fist in to meet hers. “The thing is—”
“You too, Rise. I’m impressed at how quick you were on your feet.”
I nod slightly at Rise’s questioning look. He jerks his chin up. “It’s what I’m paid for. I expect I’ll get a bonus for my work, though.”
I nod again. He smiles and puts his fist in. “Teamwork.”
We all give a little cheer, and then after that awkward moment, Rise sees himself out.
I take Belle’s hand. “Belle, I really am Charles Wickham. I know it sounds crazy, but two months ago, you were at the food tasting in your cute brown apron. I took one look at you and knew I needed you in my life, but I was going to Hong Kong the next day for a very big deal. I wouldn’t be back for at least two weeks, and I couldn’t risk losing you. I sent Rise to you with a deal I figured you couldn’t turn down. Spend one year in this apartment and you wouldn’t want to leave. I’d turn up at some point, introduce myself, and we’d…” I trail off because I can feel myself losing aura points the more I talk.
Belle stares at me.
“Say something,” I urge.
Chapter Seventeen
ANNABELLE
“Idon’t know what to say,” I sputter out. This is all too much to process. “You’re not Wick.”
“I am.” Tears sting at my eyes. “Please don’t cry.” He tugs me into his lap, and I burst into tears.
“I’m sorry,” He says on repeat over and over. His hand continues rubbing up and down my back, trying to soothe me. “Please tell me how to make it better. I can fix it. I can fix anything; just tell me and it will be done.” I keep my face buried in his neck. It's comforting.
“I'm still mad about yesterday. We haven’t even had that fight yet.” That should really be at the bottom of the list of things I’m upset about, but it also feels like the easiest to cover. I lift my head. “And these tears aren't all on you.” I sniffle. “My sisters always get me worked up. It's why I moved as far away as I could.” I hate that I allow them to affect me the way that I do.
“Well, I can help with that. If you want to stay in the States, then we'll move to Hawaii. I'll get us a place there. Now if you wish to leave the country, then we can discuss that option.” He swipes gently at the tears on my cheeks.
“Charles.” A small laugh leaves me because I think he's dead serious.
“Everyone calls me Wick.”
“Too bad,” I snip at him and then cover my mouth with my hand. A slow smile tugs at his lips.
“Don't hold back with me.” I drop my hand.
“I'm terrible at sticking up for myself,” I admit. “Even though I keep thinking about kissing you, I should be laying into you.”
“All right.” He stands suddenly with me in his arms, putting me on my feet before sitting right back down. “Lay into me, and then we'll kiss.”
“Charles.” A giggle bubbles free.
“I'm serious. Have at it. Hit me with your best shots. I can take them. Scream and yell. Get it all out,” he encourages. “It might help.” Is this man real?
“And if it doesn't?”
“Then I will do a better job at protecting you. It might not be your nature to scream and yell.” I stand there. Charles’s brows lift, and I put my hands on my hips.
“You’ve been lying to me!” I snap at him. That does feel nice.
“I stretched the truth. I’m sorry.”
“Try again without the extra words.” I wave them off with my hand.
“I’m sorry.”
“And you’ve been stalking me,” I try again. I’m acting upset about that one, but in all honesty, I like the idea of him being obsessed with me.
“That I can’t apologize for, but I will apologize for not being able to apologize.”
“It’s hard to yell at you when you keep saying sorry.”
“My bad?”
I burst into laughter. He’s so easy to talk to. It’s been that way from the very start. So many times I’d wished him to be my husband.
“My bad?”
“It’s not the ‘a’ or ‘s’ word.” He shrugs. I suppose it’s not. “I can pretend to be your sisters, and we can try again.”
“Do you have any knockoff clothing you can change into?” I hit him with a stare. My sisters’ faces when Charles called them out will forever live branded into my mind. For once, someone put them in their place. “Or a pound of makeup you can slather on?”
“Don't forget the headache-inducing perfume, but I don't think I can pull off those shrill voices.” Charles visibly cringes. It’s hard to remember that I’m mad at him. Though I’m not sure that’s the right word.
“It’s kinda nice to get a jab, but I don’t want to be like them. They’re so hateful.” I’ve tried to be the opposite of them my entire life, hating how they treated others and looked down on them.