Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“We still don’t know where we’re going for the wedding?” Val asks Bex skeptically.
She holds up her hands. “I swear to you, I know nothing. We have several private planes going God knows where for a four-day weekend and a June wedding. That’s all I’ve got.”
Val scowls. “It’s only been a few days since I saw the rest of you, and I’ve been too busy overseeing the construction of Winnie’s dream house to talk to Brady’s cousin Owen. Not that he’d tell me anything. We’re business associates, not friends.”
Michael and I are building a house on property that adjoins Val’s. We’re going to be neighbors and Val is over the moon about it. You can’t tell because he always looks that grumpy, but I know it in my heart.
And before you go there, it’s just a normal house. I’m unwilling to be one of those people who marries an obscenely rich man and suddenly needs a house the size of a football field. Two people with tiny dogs don’t need that much space.
“I can tell you about this year’s football team,” Connor says, “but as usual, I know nothing about any of this. I just wanted an excuse to get together.”
I smile at him. “I miss you too, you big lug.”
And I do, but I know we’ve both been happier these last few months than we have in years. Bex was right. It was time.
“So is Michael making those shortbread finger-things for tomorrow?” my old roommate asks, waggling his eyebrows.
My new husband has become the hit of family dinner and game night, because he can actually cook and he always brings baked goods. My friends are so easy. “Of course he’s bringing them.”
“I wasn’t sure if he had time now that he’s working again.”
He and Bellamy kicked their evil cousin to the curb, and after a lot of frustrating conversations with the family lawyers, his brother recently drew up his own agreement with Michael. He simply gave him the amount of his promised inheritance, along with a shared leadership role in the company with an impressive salary.
“You know this company better than I do, and you’ve done all the deep dives on our investors. Help me make it something we can both be proud of.”
I kind of loved Bellamy a little for saying that.
It means Michael will be traveling several times a year, but I know having the chance to improve the business he put so much time in really appeals to him. And he and his brother seem to be enjoying each other’s company more often. It might not be forever, and that’s okay. As long as he’s happy, I will be too.
I know. I’ll stop. I’m irritating myself at this point.
After another half hour of joking and talking, Val gets up to leave. He runs a hand over his closely cropped hair. “I have someplace to be soon, but I’ll see you three tomorrow.”
I’m pretty sure that’s code for Val having another date.
Bex looks down at her phone quickly, but not quick enough to hide her expression. Is she kidding me right now? Is she really upset that he’s dating after she put him off for so many years? I swear, those two are going to send me to an early grave.
“I’m leaving too,” she says, sliding her purse over her shoulder and adjusting the colorful scarf I bought her that hides her neck from view. “I actually have a boxing lesson.”
“Nice.” Connor gives her a fist bump. Then he stands up with a pathetic groan. “I have papers to grade. Aren’t you jealous of me?”
I get to my feet so I won’t be the only one left sitting at the table. “A little, yes.”
“What? Does that mean…?” His eyes light up like his team just scored a touchdown.
“Well, as you know, my problem with the assistant principal has been sorted out.”
Michael and Tanaka put their Wonder Twin powers together and found enough dirt on that skeevy man to get him out of my school and the education industry forever. He lawyered up, but based on a few of the conversations I’ve overheard, things are not looking good for him. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Connor and Val weren’t happy that I hadn’t told them, but once they realized our own personal Batman was on the case, they let it go.
“I’m a little disappointed I can’t personally kick his ass out of my school, but I’ll live if it means you’re back in the saddle.”
My lips curve. “I’m coming back on a trial basis. For a year. We have to see if we can balance Michael’s travel with my schedule.”
Read: Can we handle the temporary separations. Michael doesn’t like the idea of being away from me so much, but I’ve promised to video conference him every night while naked.