Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 74882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“You’re trying to get rid of me?” I challenge, my chin wobbling.
“Yeah, baby. For your own good. You won’t leave, so this is me pushing you from the nest.”
“You’re firing me?”
“No, I’m freeing you.”
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“Are you, though?”
Hope and excitement are already tugging at me. The tiny seed he’s planted is already taking root and growing.
“I’m a Reid girl. We don’t get scared.”
“Damn right.”
“What if I fail?”
“You won’t.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I raised you to fight for what you want in this life. You haven’t let me down yet.”
“I’ll visit a ridiculous amount of times and bug you endlessly,” I threaten, swiping away my tears. “Pull you out of meetings to go eat pizza with me.”
“David can handle it.”
“It’ll be worse,” I tell him. “Way worse because I’ll miss you. I’ll be the neediest kid ever. Just wait and see.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Where will I go?”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He smiles at me. “If you need a little nudge in the right direction, follow the birds.”
“The birds?”
“When the world is too cold, the birds fly south.”
South.
I could use a little warmth in my world.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, baby girl.”
Chapter 26
Camilo
One month later…
“I’m a dick.”
“You’re a dick.”
“A total asshole.”
“The worst.”
“A monster.”
“Pretty damn ugly too.”
I glower at Carson. “You’re not supposed to agree with me. Where’s your loyalty to our friendship, man?”
“A good friend helps his stupid, blind, idiotic friend pull his head out of his ass. I’m doing my due diligence.” He smirks. “Now can we get back to insulting you?”
I flip him off. “What do I do?”
“I really have to spell this out for you, don’t I? You’re that far gone.”
“Apparently so.”
“Look,” he mutters. “I get that you lost your shit when your dad died. It’s to be expected. But…”
“But?”
“But you fucked up with Sherrie.”
I groan, the familiar aching pain in my chest screaming at me. “I know.”
“Now you have to fix it.”
“I don’t deserve her.”
“If your dad was here right now, what would he want?”
I flinch at his words, hating him in this moment. “Fuck you, man.”
“It’s called tough love, CZ. I’m being an asshole to you because you need to hear it. What would your dad want?”
“For me to get the girl back.”
“Ignoring your bullshit excuses about what you think you do or don’t deserve, what do you want? Truthfully?”
“Sher. God, I want her.”
“Ding! Ding! Ding! You’ve figured it out. Go get her.”
“It’s not that easy.”
He laughs. “Of course it’s not. That’s what makes it so worth it. Go fight for that girl because she deserves it. She deserves to have you grovel and kiss her ass. You two are too right for each other. Don’t let her go or you’ll regret it until the day you die.”
I stare up at the massive building, trying like hell to find my nerve. What’s the worst that could happen? She could have moved on with David. Forget I exist. Slap me in the face and tell me I’m scum. Whatever happens, I won’t rest until I know I’ve tried. I’ve flown all the way to California because with each passing second, I realize I made a colossal mistake.
I let her go.
No, I forced her to leave.
Regardless of how it went down, I fucked up.
As the cloud of grief begins to dissipate, I grow more and more focused on the fact I messed up. Is it too late to fix?
I walk inside the fancy building and am instantly out of place in my jeans and T-shirt.
“Can I help you, sir?” the receptionist asks.
“I’m here for Sher.”
“Who?”
“Sheridan Reid.”
“Oh,” she says with a laugh. “Of course. The owner’s daughter.”
I give her a forced smile, trying not to seem impatient. “That’s the one.”
“She’s gone.”
“When will she back?” I pull out my phone and check the time. Surely her lunch will be over soon.
“Never.”
“What?”
“She quit.”
I blink several times in confusion. “Quit? How?”
“I don’t know the specifics, but she’s gone.”
“Is her father here?”
“He is. Let me see if he’s available.” She picks up the phone and dials. “Hi, Mark. Is Mr. Reid available for a meeting?” She pauses and then looks at me. “Can I tell him who’s asking?”
“Camilo Zaragoza.”
“Camilo Zaragoza. Oh. Certainly. I’ll send him up.” She hangs up and points to the elevators. “Top floor are the executive offices.”
I practically run to the elevator and then bounce on my toes as I wait for it to go to the top floor. As soon as I escape the confines of the elevator, I walk past several offices until I find the one labeled CEO.
“Mr. Reid,” I state, knocking on the door as I enter.
He sits at his desk, an expectant look on his face. Across from him is another man. David. My hackles rise, but I ignore him, focusing on Sheridan’s father.
“Camilo. Call me Randall.” He motions for me to sit beside the other guy. “This is David.”