Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
He kept waiting for her to hit on the brake, drive back to his side, and tell him that she was only joking.
But it didn't happen.
She didn't even look back, and as the seconds ticked by, he found himself dully wondering if maybe...just maybe...he had overestimated her love for him...and underestimated the appeal of someone as saintly as Blaine Fucking Mercer.
"William."
He turned towards the sound and saw Konstantin Manolis looking at him with a pained expression while behind him, Eve was in the passenger seat of their SUV, a similar look on her face.
"I guess you saw all that?" William heard himself ask.
Instead of saying what was already obvious, Konstantin asked simply, "Will you be okay?"
"I suppose. Eventually."
"Give her time," Konstantin said finally.
William only nodded.
"I'm sorry about this," Konstantin murmured. "If you need anything, just give me a call."
"Thank you."
Several minutes passed before William finally forced himself to walk back to the hospital, and by then it was clear that everyone had heard about what happened. Most were smart enough to simply stay out of his way, while a rare few, well...William simply ignored them, probably because he was still in shock.
He had truly believed they had a chance, dammit.
But obviously, he was wrong.
BACK INSIDE HIS OFFICE, he found himself staring at Cassidy's desk and wondered if she would even care to return to work. And if she did...
His lips twisted.
It was true, after all. Love could make fools even out of the greatest of men, and Cassidy...
If he had to give her a fucking raise, he'd do it, just as long as it would allow him to exist even in the fringes of her life.
He loved her that much.
And he...
His eyes closed.
He really thought they had a fucking chance, dammit.
They could've had it all, could've been fucking happy for an eternity, and yet...
Why can't you give me a chance?
WILLIAM THREW HIMSELF at work for the remainder of the day, and it was only when his head had begun to pound that he was forced to call it a night. He drove home in silence, and all he could think about was her.
Cassidy.
The one and only girl he had fallen in love with...only to lose her—-
His grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white.
If only...
If only he had fucking met her first...
If only he had met her before that asshole ex of hers...
We could've been so happy, love...if you just gave me a chance.
IT WAS ALMOST TWO IN the morning when he arrived at his apartment building, and the concierge appeared greatly relieved upon seeing William. "Finally, sir."
William frowned. "Is anything wrong?"
"Not exactly, but..." The concierge nodded towards the seating area hidden at the other end of the lobby, and when William turned to follow the concierge's gaze, it was then he saw her...
Cassidy.
She was fast asleep, head leaning the padded armrest of the sofa, legs curled up, and one hand still holding on to the handle of her suitcase.
He turned to the concierge, asking hoarsely, "How long..." William swallowed hard. "How long has she been waiting?"
"She arrived at..." The concierge quickly scanned the day's entries at his logbook. "Six forty-five p.m."
"I see." William managed a brief murmur of thanks to the concierge before finally allowing himself to walk towards Cassidy.
And when he finally reached her—-
For several long moments, he could only gaze down at her, wondering how the hell was it possible that with every day that passed...
Cassidy started to stir, and when her eyes fluttered open, she saw him right away, standing next to the sofa, and a smile wobbled to her lips. "Hi there."
A thousand different ways to answer that, but in the end, all he could do was slowly fall to his knees—-
Cassidy was already crying again.
He reached for her hands, and as their gazes met—-
God.
Words still failed him, and all he could do was tighten her hold on his hands.
I love you.
A sob escaped Cassidy's throat. "Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for loving me, and—-" Her voice caught. "Thank you for being you—-" Her words ended in a helpless laugh, with William suddenly swinging her up his arms.
She laid her head against his chest, listened to William instruct the concierge to take care of her luggage, and when they were finally alone inside of the elevator—-
"Were you surprised?" she asked.
"Gobsmacked would be more accurate, love, but if I could just ask for one favor..."
"Of course," Cassidy said eagerly.
"Don't fucking surprise me again."
She burst into laughter.
"Seriously, love. I don't think I can survive that kind of heartbreak again—-"
"Heartbreak?" Cassidy was bewildered.
"I thought you left me for good."
"Oh."
"It nearly killed me—-"
"Oh no."
"So if you can promise me just that one thing..."
"Absolutely," she said fervently, "and I am so, so sorry. I didn't realize you'd think that. I mean, you know how much I hate crying in public. That's why I left," she said lamely, "and I thought you'd get it—-"