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)
“By running? That sounds miserable.”
He laughed. “I like it. Nothing beats a running high.”
I arched a brow. “Nothing?”
He met my stare with a half-smirk. “Well, aside from fucking.”
I cleared my throat and finished my fries.
After lunch, we walked around for a while. It was nice to see the city without the pressure of a schedule for a change. It helped me appreciate New York from a less-overwhelmed perspective. However, I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t so damn chilly.
“It’s colder than a witch’s tit out here.”
“Stop being a baby. This is the nicest day we’ve had in weeks.”
I scoffed. “You’re a…baby.”
“Great come back.”
Barrett was Fort Knox when it came to sharing classified information regarding Elle, so I made do talking about other things. We ended up having a decent time. He was good company, easygoing, funny, and way more laid back than Hale. His chill vibe helped me unwind and relax. In an odd way, he reminded me of the old Elle, before the accident changed her.
“What was that little sigh?”
I frowned. Had I made a noise? For appearing so nonchalant, Barrett could be surprisingly perceptive. “I was just thinking about how much things have changed.”
“How so?”
The Davenports truly had no concept of how the other half lived. “Well, for starters, I’m currently residing in a penthouse overlooking one of the most expensive zip codes in the world. But also…”
“Also…?”
I sighed again. Explaining how much I missed my old friend Elle felt selfish. Barrett missed her too, but he didn’t know the old Elle. The Elle who sat beside me all through grade school and the Elle who had a playbook of my entire sexual history before Hale. He just knew the new Elle, a woman I was still trying to figure out.
“I don’t know. I guess I miss Hale.”
He glanced at me and grinned. “That’s good. You should miss him. Don’t be one of those wives that counts down the days until her husband goes away on a business trip.”
“I could never.”
“You could. I feel like that’s the majority. But you and Hale are different.”
“We are?” I became instantly curious about how he saw us. “How so?”
“You’re loyal to him even when you could get away with less.”
“That’s oddly specific and cryptic.”
He looked up at the sun peeking over the clouds and skyscrapers. “Remember when you caught me with Elle the first time?”
“Yes.”
“I was hiding in the closet and, at first, you didn’t realize I was in the room.”
“Naked. I remember.”
“Well, a good view is hard to forget.” He chuckled. “But while I was in the closet I heard you two talking. You were upset about something that had to do with Hale. Elle asked you to explain, but you said you couldn’t.”
I remembered that day. I wanted so badly to tell my friend how complicated Hale’s situation was with Elara and Remington and Jasmine, but I’d given Hale my word not to share his secret. I didn’t know that Barrett was listening. At the time, I assumed I was having a private moment with my best friend who I trusted more than anyone in the world. Yet I didn’t break my promise because I didn’t want to break Hale’s trust.
“That was the moment I knew you loved my brother.”
I grinned. “Really?”
He nodded. “I don’t know what you were fighting about, but the fact that you wouldn’t betray his trust—even in secret—proved you were different than all the other women who’ve fucked over Davenport men before.”
“One look at me should have given that away.”
“I’m serious, Meyers. Money changes people’s perception. It also alters how people act around us. Do you know how many assholes have tried to pretend they were my friend over the years just to use me for my name, status, or wealth? How many women have fucked us because they thought dating a Davenport might somehow elevate their careers?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hale was a virgin before me.”
“Sure he was.” He chuckled. “It gets old and it gets lonely. Elle never wanted anything from me other than an adventure. The days we spent at sea, sailing and fishing, they were some of the realest days I ever had with a woman.”
My heart broke for him. I knew he wasn’t okay about their breakup. “I’m sorry she broke up with you.”
He sighed. “My point is, you’re real with Hale. That’s a rarity in our world. You don’t love him for his money or status. You love him for who he is on the inside. I never would have picked someone like you for my brother, but I honestly believe you’re perfect for each other.”
I didn’t know what to say. That was possibly one of the greatest compliments I’d ever received. So I bumped him with my shoulder. “Thanks.”
He grinned and broke eye contact before the moment grew too heavy to bear. “You’re also a hot mess, which Hale deserves after spending his entire life living like an immaculate tight ass.”