Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
But he doesn’t. I’m at the door when he says, “For the record. You’re fucking yourself, man, but it’s your call.”
I don’t turn around. I exit the office with no intention of running into Bella, who will not want to see me, but that’s exactly what I do. I’m barely two steps from Gavin’s office when she appears. She gasps softly at the sight of me, and we’re so close, we almost run into each other. I can smell her perfume and I remember exactly how she tastes. Like honey. Like my woman. And damn it to hell, I want to pull her to me and kiss the fuck out of her. She’s in a black, figure-hugging skirt, with a blue silk blouse that brightens the blue of her eyes.
Her skin is creamy and perfect. Her lips are painted pink, full and un-kissed when they need to be kissed. But all my lust-laden thoughts don’t outweigh the obvious. She’s outside Gavin’s office and my suspicion flares. If he ran his mouth, friend or no friend, he’s gone. “What are you doing here?”
She holds up a folder. “The contract came. The legal team lead said Gavin would be the best person to have look at a few things. He wasn’t answering my calls so I walked over.”
Of course, she did. Because she gets the job done. “Do I need to look at it?”
“Not right now. I already worked it over pretty hard. Once Gavin goes through it, I’ll make sure you approve it before it goes to Dash.”
“How worrisome are the concerns?”
“Not huge, but the wording is a bit tricky, so I want to be sure there isn’t a loophole or two hiding in plain sight.”
“Smart. He’s eager. Whoever drafted that contract worked the weekend to do it.”
“Yes,” she says. “I thought the same thing, but Hollywood goes hot to cold fast. I want the deal done and done now.”
“Agreed.” I hesitate. “Bella—”
“Don’t,” she says softly. “Please. I’m good. I’m motivated this morning and excited for us and my brother. I’ll email you when I’m done with Gavin with an update.”
Email me. Before this, it would have been a phone call. “Call me. It’s what you would have done in the past. Nothing has changed.”
Her teeth scrape her bottom lip. “Right. Of course. Nothing has changed.” She cuts her stare and steps around me. I turn and watch her disappear into Gavin’s office. We need to talk, me and Bella. And before this day is over, we will.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Bella
I walk into my front door and lean on the hard surface and exhale with relief.
Somehow, I survived this day, but it was hard. Seeing Tyler first thing outside Gavin’s office was awkward and emotional. And Gavin was weird, too. He kept staring at me, almost as if he knew something he should not know, but that’s crazy. Tyler is a private person. I don’t believe he would talk about me to anyone. My cellphone rings and I snake it out of my jacket to find Dash calling.
“Allie and I are on our way over. We got you a little celebratory gift. We just wanted to make sure you were home.”
I grimace at the idea of company despite how much I love them both, but then again, maybe company is exactly what I need. “I’m here. I just got here.”
“See you in thirty to forty-five minutes.”
“Perfect. I have time to change and get comfy.”
We disconnect and my doorbell rings. I frown because I’m not sure who would be here. Perhaps this time I really do have a package delivery, or a neighbor visiting with a package meant for me.
I grab the things I’ve set on the floor, place them on the entry table, then open the door. I blanch and my heart lurches at the sight of Tyler standing there. His suit jacket is gone, and his white shirt sleeves are rolled up to display powerful forearms. He smells so good I want to lick him all over and I hate him for stirring such thoughts in me. “What are you doing here?”
He lifts a folder in his hand. “I need to go over some contractual information with you.”
My eyes go wide. Damn it, I must have missed something in the contract and Dash is on his way over here. “What is it?” I ask urgently.
“Can I come in?”
I hesitate but I nod and back up, allowing his entry. I shut the door and lean on it again. He turns to face me. “Let’s go sit.”
No, I think, but what I say is, “Right. Let’s go sit. The kitchen table will be good.”
He motions me forward. “Lead the way.”
I move ahead of him, my knees weak with the heaviness of his eyes on my progress. The walk across the living room feels far and wide, but finally, we reach my table, the smaller one off the actual kitchen rather than the large dining room table. I stand on one side and wait for him to sit. His lips quirk as if he knows I’m waiting to choose my seat, based on where he places himself. He goes opposite of me, and we both settle in. The table is smaller than it seems normally, and we are closer than I intend.