Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
We leave the shop hand in hand, and he doesn’t complain once when I drag him in and out of other stores.
I tried to pay for everything, but when I got back to the hotel that night and checked my account, I found that not once had my card been charged.
That same day, we leave and head back home.
After we land, we get in his car, and he takes me home. When we pull up, I see Harvey and Simone sitting outside and they’re yelling at each other.
Simone drops her face to her hands, and Harvey looks pained.
“You can still escape. They haven’t seen you yet,” Jake says.
“No, it’s late. I need sleep. I have work tomorrow.”
“You could stay at mine,” he offers.
His.
I have no idea where Jake even lives. I’ve only ever been to his bars and sex club.
“What are we?” I ask. “I mean…I only ask because you’re inviting me back to your place, and you didn’t answer me when I asked last time.” My body turns, and I give him my full attention, forgetting about my brother and Simone for the moment.
“I don’t like labels. Besides, have labels ever served you well?” he asks.
“Okay, no labels,” I agree, then turn to open the door.
Jake stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “You’re mad.”
My tongue slides over my teeth as I try to think of the correct response to give him. “Not mad, just confused.”
“We’ve known each other for a few months, Oriana. We’ve been having fun. Dare I say, more fun than I have had with anyone in my life. So why do we have to label it?”
“Because I’m not someone who just casually sleeps around. I do relationships. And this…” I wave between us, “is confusing to me.”
“My intention is to not confuse you, you know that.”
“Do I?” I ask as a knock comes on the window. I look up to see Simone and I unlock the door. “I have to go.”
“Get divorced first, Oriana. Then we can talk.”
“I’ve been trying,” I say with a huff as I step out of the car.
The driver already has my bags out and on the steps of my house. He goes back to the car, and I watch as they drive off.
Turning back to Simone, I see my brother is no longer there.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Her eyes flick to the door, which is where I’m guessing Harvey went, and then to the ground.
“I’m pregnant,” she says quietly.
Oh, wow. Did not expect that answer.
“Is it…” I don’t know how to ask.
“Yes, it’s Harvey’s.” She raises her gaze to mine. “I just told him, and he didn’t take it well.”
No, I’m guessing he wouldn’t have. Harvey travels a lot, it’s what he does. Having a baby would change that, would change him. I don’t know how he will react, but I do know he would be a good father.
“I’m sure you two can sort it out,” I try to reassure her.
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. I mean, I had hoped so. But I’m not really sure now.” She shrugs. “It’s new. I only found out this morning, and when he sent me a text telling me he was home, I knew I had to tell him.”
“Do you actually want children?” I ask. I have never really asked her that question before, as I’ve never seen her in a fully committed relationship, and she had voiced her dislike for children but I guess this changes things.
“I didn’t think I did, but now things are different.”
“Do you love Harvey?”
“I do. Is that crazy?” she whispers. “I mean, I think he just thinks of me as a fling. But I don’t see us as a fling at all.”
“Do you want to come in?” I ask, nodding to the door.
“I don’t think he wants me in there right now,” she says in a broken whisper.
“Do you want me to come with you? I just need to put my bags away, and I’m all yours,” I offer.
“No, it’s okay. I might just curl up and watch a movie and pass out.”
I place my hand on her shoulder. “I can talk to him. Do you want me to?”
“He’s your brother first, O. Maybe he needs your support.”
“And you are my best friend, so I can give it to you as well.”
“Simone.” We both look to the house as Harvey calls her name. “Come inside.” He holds open the door.
“I’m giving you your space, Harvey. You need space and time.”
“Get inside, Simone,” he says, but even though it sounds like an order he said it gently. I stand there as she makes her way up the stairs, and the minute she reaches him, he cups her face, leans down, and kisses her lips softly. “It was just a lot. I’m sorry.”
She nods and kisses him back. “It’s a lot for me too.” Tears run down her cheeks, and he wipes them away.