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)
Once Elara was fastened safely in her seat, I backed out of the driveway. The Jeep was much larger than what I was used to, but surprisingly smooth on the road.
Hale took my phone and hit a few buttons. A moment later, my music synched with the vehicle’s system and The Emotions Best of My Love came on. I couldn’t stop smiling as we drove with the windows down, the wind blowing in my hair.
“Does the top come off?”
“It opens. When it’s warmer and Elara’s not in the back you can try it out.”
“Hale…” I looked at him, in awe of his thoughtfulness. “This is the nicest gift anyone has ever given me.”
“Technically, you bought it for yourself.”
“No, I didn’t.” If the magazine had only interviewed me I would have barely been able to afford an inflatable raft. Everyone in the world wanted a piece of Hale and the rest of the Davenports. This was all him.
“Rayne, when are you going to realize that everything’s changed? People want to know you. They want to love you as much as I do.”
My smile faltered, but I quickly forced it back into place. That wasn’t true. Nosiness wasn’t the same as affection. Those people didn’t know me and they wouldn’t hesitate to judge and crucify me if they found me lacking.
“We received an offer for the wedding.”
I looked at him, confused, as I navigated my way toward Mallory Square. “What do you mean, an offer?”
“Several magazines want to cover it. We could make a decent amount.”
My foot eased off the gas. “Since when do you enjoy being such a public figure?” When I met Hale, he was extremely private, especially about his private life. “Is this about your dad?”
“What?”
“I’m just trying to understand why you would even entertain the idea of letting reporters in on what should be one of the most intimate moments of our life?”
It was bad enough we were sharing our wedding day with three hundred strangers.
“What the hell would my dad have to do with it? If I was thinking of anyone, I was thinking of your mom. We could buy her a house with the money they’re willing to pay.”
I wanted to say we could buy her a house anyway, but I still didn’t know if my financial situation would change with my name. There hadn’t been a good time to bring up the prenup and I sort of just hoped the whole thing would go away if I didn’t mention it.
“My mom has a house.”
“A house near us, Rayne.”
Dear God, did I want my mom living that close again? What was I thinking? None of this mattered. “I don’t want a bunch of video cameras and reporters intruding on our wedding day. The answer’s no.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” I pressed my lips tight. “And next time it would be nice if you didn’t spring this stuff on me.”
“What are you talking about? I just told you.”
“But you knew before now. This is exactly why I hate surprises.”
“You hate surprises?”
“Well, no. But I don’t like the bad ones.”
“I was communicating with you, not trying to surprise you with bad news. You said no, so it’s a no. End of story.”
“Do you want cameras there?”
“I want you to be happy. How did this become a fight?”
“It just seems like there’s been a lot of secrecy lately. I’d prefer it if I wasn’t always the last to know.”
“Are you kidding me? I surprised you with a tasting and a car and I’m somehow the bad guy? You act like I’m making deals behind your back.”
Because he was. He’d met with his lawyer and had a prenup drawn up without even discussing it with me. Between the car, the bakery, and now these offers he was getting from reporters, he’d proven how oblivious I could be. And why this sudden concern for my mom? “If you’re worried about me or my family spending all your money, don’t. We’re perfectly stable on our own.”
The air of the Jeep chilled. His voice was low and cold. “What the hell does that mean?”
I shook my head, unable to form the words I wanted to say. He said it himself, I technically bought this car. Was he already allocating our assets? “No one is after your money, Hale. I’m not Jasmine.”
The moment her name left my mouth I winced. What the hell was wrong with me?
“That’s enough,” he said with frightening calm. “Pull over up here.”
“Where?” There were only privately owned parking lots in this area.
“Just stop the fucking car, Rayne.”
I immediately pulled over, worried I’d gone too far. “What are you doing?”
He got out of the Jeep and slammed the door. “I’ll get a ride home.”
“Hale.”
He turned and walked away. I lowered my head onto the steering wheel and cursed, only to jump when a horn beeped.