Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 130255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
ME: I’m an author. Anything you say or do has the potential to end up in my novel. With all identifying factors removed, of course.
Max: But of course.
ME: It’s not going to go in my book, Max.
Max: It is.
ME: No, it’s not. Anything that happens between us will stay between us. What happened tonight wasn’t part of the earlier proposal, was it?
Max: I suppose not. That idea went out of the window with dinner, didn’t it?
ME: Pretty much. Besides, if we are going to spend time together, I’d rather it not be because of any kind of feeling of obligation.
Max: I don’t think us spending any time together is a good idea at all, but I can’t seem to stay away from you.
Stupid smile.
Stupid skippy heart.
I was in so much trouble.
So, so much trouble.
ME: It’s fine. I know how this ends. It’s not as if us sleeping together is going to end in some great, vibrant love story for the ages. Sex is sex.
Max: Mm. I’m going to note right now that I’m not responsible if you fall in love with me.
ME: Puh-lease! You’re far more likely to fall in love with me.
Max: Highly unlikely.
ME: When you fall in love with me and you realise too late because I’m back in London, it’s all on you, mister.
Max: You are very good at tooting your own horn.
ME: Like I said: someone has to.
Max: Again, you’re right. Rest assured there will be no falling on my behalf.
ME: Or mine.
ME: Not counting yesterday when I fell through the door.
Max: I’m glad you mentioned that.
ME: No falling in love. There. Clarification made.
Max: Always smart to draw the line. By the way, there’s karaoke at the pub tomorrow. I believe I owe you.
I wrinkled my face up. I couldn’t sing. Nobody needed me at karaoke.
ME: I don’t know. I can’t sing. At all. It’s awful.
Max: I promised to show you how wild it can be. Everyone will be there. Fred is coming, so bring your brother. Pen will be working until ten.
ME: Mmm… Can I think about it?
Max: No. Trust me when I say you have to see this.
ME: I don’t know.
Max: You need this for your book. I promised to show you life in Windermere. This is one part of it you need to see.
ME: Sigh.
Max: Let me guess, there’s no emoji for that either?
ME: There is, I just couldn’t be bothered to search for it.
Max: Well? What do you say?
ME: I don’t have a choice, do I?
Max: No.
ME: Fine. Kev loves karaoke, so I suppose I’ll go to cheer him up.
Max: Wait, why DID he come here?
ME: I’ll tell you tomorrow. I haven’t gotten everything out of him myself, but it involves a proposal gone wrong.
Max: Ouch.
ME: Something like that.
Max: I look forward to it. Be ready for six tomorrow evening.
ME: Begrudgingly, I will be.
Max: Goodnight, Ellie.
ME: Night, Max.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
ELLIE
Ties and Tutus
“I’m not sure I’m up to a night out,” Kevin said, fiddling with his belt.
I peered over at him. “You’re always up for a night out.”
“I am grieving.”
“Grieving and proud are not interchangeable,” I retorted. “You know you messed up, but you’re too damn proud to admit it to Aaron.”
My brother glared at me. “I am not too proud to admit it. I just think it’s a conversation to be had in person, not over the phone.”
“Then why are you still here, hmm?”
He didn’t reply.
“Exactly.” I ran my fingers through my waves to fluff them. “Just admit that you’re scared to go back and admit you messed up.”
“I will not.”
“It’s hard to believe you’re older than me sometimes.”
“It’s hard to believe we made it this far without me killing you while you sleep,” Kevin replied. “You know what? Maybe I do need a night out. It’s been a while. I haven’t let my hair down for too long.”
I rolled my eyes and looked down at my dress. “Am I dressed okay?”
If I wasn’t, I was going to kill Pen. I’d asked her what I should wear, and she’d said what I’d usually wear for a night at a pub, so that’s what I’d gone for.
He looked me over. “For a night on a street corner? Sure.”
“Kevin!”
He laughed, coming over to me. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Yes. Your duke will rip it off you by the end of the night.”
I swatted him away. “He isn’t mine. It was just a kiss.”
“Right. And I’m having tea with The Queen tomorrow afternoon,” he retorted smartly. “There’s clearly something going on between you, even if you don’t want to talk about it.”
“You’re not here to talk about me. Besides, there’s nothing to talk about.” I checked my phone for the time and put it in my bag. We had two minutes.
“Ellie.” Kev grabbed my arm and gently tugged on it, making me look up at him. “Just think about what you’re doing, all right? You said this morning he’s not a relationship guy, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”