Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
“Hale thinks he has something to prove.”
He was referring to Jasmine—the metaphorical church fart. Unlike the reporter, I knew how to respect a church fart so I silently let the reference pass.
“You came into my son’s life just before the shit truly hit the fan.”
“I’m sure you can find a better way to describe your granddaughter’s birth.”
“You know what I mean. Hale was in a bad way and I put him there. It was ugly. Ugly enough to literally trigger my heart attack. Then you showed up and somehow made him happy again.”
I grinned. That was probably one of the sweetest things Remington had ever said to me. “Hale’s easy to please.”
He laughed, hard. “That’s not even a little bit true, but the fact that you think so says a lot about your relationship with my son.”
I frowned because I did believe it to be true. Hale valued loyalty. Required trust. He loved physical affection. He hated it when I left sugar granules on the counter by the coffee pot. Sunday mornings on the floor with me and Elara were his absolute favorite. He liked his slippers by the door. These were not difficult expectations and when they were met, he was happy. I wished I was that easy.
Remington sighed. “He never talks with me anymore. He doesn’t come to me for advice, and I can’t recall the last time he looked at me as more than a business associate.”
I smiled sadly. The older Remington became, the more he craved a relationship with his kids, and the more they were disinclined to have one.
They all craved his attention, but after decades of criticism, they’d learned to live without his praise. By not offering it, he’d inadvertently taught them not to need it, so their dependency on his approval was waning. More so for Hale, the eldest of the three and the one who’d dealt with Remington’s high, sometimes unreachable, expectations the longest.
“Parenting’s hard, Remington.”
He glanced at me. “You seem to be a natural at it. So does Hale.”
“Elara’s easy right now. A high-pitched voice and a dramatic game of peek-a-boo get her laughing. Let’s see how good we do once she’s old enough to actually start making demands.”
He patted my hand. “You’ll do fine. You’ve always been quick on your feet.”
I expected to make mistakes where Elara was concerned. So did Hale. But he did everything he could to avoid repeating his father’s, which was why he always spoke with gratitude to those he loved. He didn’t withhold praise or expect perfection. Remington could try the same, but he no longer had the opportunities he once had to make an impact. A lot of the damage had already been done.
“Your kids love you, Remington.”
He lifted a grey, scraggly brow. “Even Hale?”
“Especially Hale.”
“Yet he’s determined to leave me.” He shook his head. “He was the one I could count on. Phina’s doing her thing in New York and Barrett…” He scoffed. “Who knows what he’ll do once his looks run out.”
He’d probably land a role in a soap opera or something. I wasn’t sure where beautiful people got recycled once they aged.
“But Hale,” he continued. “He was supposed to take over.”
I frowned. “We’re not going anywhere—”
“You can’t say that when you’ve only ever lived in two places, Meyers. The world’s large and you’re young. You’re in a position—financially speaking—to have whatever life you want. Don’t set that aside for anything. Including me. Hale won’t let you.”
Because it was Hale’s money and he’d have the final say. “I’m happy living here.”
“Florida could never hold Hale’s interest forever. He’s built an empire that ensures he’ll have global freedom outside of Davenport Industries. Why else do you think he’s working so hard to negotiate with Tokyo? Next, it will be the UK, then France, then Germany. He won’t stop until he corners the global market.”
A wave of unease snaked through my stomach. “But I like it here.”
“Come on, Meyers. Why do you think he wants you to fall in love with New York?”
He could have knocked me down with a feather. Was that what this was? Was Hale using our wedding as a billboard to sell me on moving to the business capital of America? Once again, I felt like the last to know.
My face felt numb and not from the vodka. I kept telling myself that after the wedding life would slow down. But according to Remington, things were only going to get busier and bigger. That sort of fast-paced living terrified me and I honestly thought all this travel was temporary. But what if this was what our marriage would always be?
I pushed my martini away. “I have to go.”
He frowned. “You look a little green.”
“It’s probably the old cheese.”
He glanced at my glass and sighed. “I told you not to eat it.”