Total pages in book: 225
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
“Holy fuck,” she whispers.
“For a hundred k over asking to get the guy to move out immediately, leaving it furnished, so we could move in today.”
“Whoa.”
“Whoa is right. Fires started in all the fireplaces. Roses and champagne on the counter.”
“Fire in your panties, too?” she asks.
I scoff and wander into the dazzling walk-in closet that you access from the bathroom. Yep, it’s in that same neon green, but God is it gorgeous otherwise. My things are here. The few things I brought with me Friday night along with all he had the talented Nicola procure for me. I coined it my dream gawdy green, gorgeous girl garage. Because I would put all my favorite things in here. And it looks even better in person than it did on the real estate listing. So many shelves, nooks, and drawers. Places for my necklaces. For my not-large but very beloved and carefully bargain-sourced shoe and handbag collection. A side with plenty of storage for my dream husband’s suits, his jeans, his hoodies that I’d undoubtedly borrow. Right now some of Derek’s clothes are here, too. Whatever he had in that condo, I imagine.
I wonder how comfy Derek’s hoodies are. I touch one that’s tucked into a cubby. The arms would hang way off my hands. Like that wine colored henley of his that I put on after the first time we…
I shake my thoughts off. Hard. I force myself to clue in to what Alannah is saying. She’s called my name.
“My clothes were moved over while we were at brunch. Not really my clothes, mind you. The new and perfect bespoke wardrobe Derek bought for me.”
“This explains why I’m meeting you guys at the city hall, then?”
“Huh?”
“That’s what he sent me in a text last night.”
“Text?”
“You weren’t listening, were you? 11:30. Tomorrow. Derek texted me to be there to stand up for you as your maid of honor. Not there but in a town twenty minutes from there.”
“Uh…” is all I manage.
“He hasn’t told you.”
“We haven’t discussed it, no.”
“So, do I bring you the borrowed and blue and old and new? What should I wear? What are you wearing? What’s the deal?”
“I haven’t a clue.”
Her voice drops lower as she asks, “You want me to meet you in the bathroom with a plane ticket and a SWAT team so you can get outta Dodge?”
“Maybe…” I say immediately.
“Totally?” she asks.
“One sec,” I whisper.
I come out, wondering where he is.
He’s come back to the master suite but is now outside on the small balcony that looks out from the foot of the bed through sliding doors. The doors are shut, and he’s leaned on the railing, admiring the view, I guess. He looks casual, not like he can hear me.
I try to pull my thoughts together.
“What do you need, Chloe?” she asks, urgently. “Is there some way you can tell me so I can help you?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper. “I don’t have a clue. I was gonna ask someone in his family to help, but they were all… out there. Way out there. I did everything but stomp my feet and scream and they don’t give a fuck as long as Derek handles things so that I don’t go to the press. He’s got them believing he’ll win me over. They’re acting like him blackmailing me into being with him is the healthiest thing he’s done lately. It's so fucked up, Lan.”
“I’ll help you get out of this.”
I frown. “I don’t know if you can without getting caught in his crosshairs.”
“Leave it to me.”
“You sound awfully confident. You have a plan already?”
“Not entirely, but no way am I going to just sit back and do nothing here. Show up tomorrow and follow my lead.”
I hold the phone as my heartrate picks up.
“I’ve got you,” she whispers.
“I can’t let something bad happen to you.”
“You can’t let him away with this,” she counters.
“Ugh,” I grunt.
“Gonna go figure this out,” Alannah says.
“I don’t know, Lan…”
“Follow my lead tomorrow.”
“Love you lots,” I say. “Please be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I’m a big girl. I know my way around drama and trauma. Tiptoed through a few minefields in my day so far. Love you, babe. You’re okay though?”
“Weirded out beyond measure. Nervous about fallout no matter what I do, but I guess I’m okay. As okay as I can be.”
“Right. Zero chance you’re thinking of giving it a whirl and hoping for the best with him?” she asks.
“God no. What? That’s nuts.”
Dead air.
“Lan?”
“Tell me now if you’re thinking you should consider it.”
“Would you?” I quip.
She shocks me when she says, “I’ve been asking myself that very question, babe.”
“You delusional?”
“C’mon, Chlo. You do a pro and con list yet?”
“You don’t have all the facts. The threats, Lan. They’re concerning. They’re why I’m here.”
“What specifically has he threatened with?”