Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
The trees in the distance will be the perfect area, red maples showing their beauty in the way leaves change in autumn. It’d be perfect for what I have in mind. There’s even a bench, an added feature that wasn’t there when I left town. Truthfully, the whole downtown area has been completely restored, with the historical district stepping in to make sure everything is done in a way that highlights the area instead of taking the beauty away. My walk is slow. Time is not of the essence, a massive change of pace after living in a city. There are a lot of things I’d change about the past eight years of my life, some good and some bad. The bad was definitely staying with Richie for as long as I did, but I guess that’s what happens when you marry someone fresh out of college and he schmoozes you with a charm like you’ve never encountered before. The last year of our marriage was when it finally clicked that I was worth better than his verbal barrage. Kari was also a big part in figuring that out after I watched how Johnny is with my best friend. The good part was definitely learning the do’s and dont’s in life as well as professionally. What I really have to give Chicago credit for is creating a friendship with Kari that’s so strong, even though she’s countries away, we still talk daily. It taught me that I can survive in even the worst circumstances. Becoming a roommate with your future ex-husband makes for a weird strategy, and one I quickly remedied. Thank you, Kari and Johnny. My feet take me to the bench beneath the red maples, a grouping in the center of the street, the pavement wrapping around them in the same red cobblestone that’s on the sidewalks. Some leaves have changed and dropped to the ground. I pick one up, rubbing the leaf between my thumb and forefinger. The texture soothes me, along with the wind swirling through the trees, leaves rustling on the ground. I’m going to sit here and enjoy my coffee.
“Of course, the one time I didn’t want my phone to go off, it does.” I pull my camera from around my neck, setting it beside me and within sight. My coffee is next, and I’m mourning the fact I’ll be putting it down in order to answer a phone. Just once, I’d like to finish my iced coffee with a little bit of peace. Except I’m not the girl who will let an alert go unanswered. I’ll hyper-fixate on it until it’s answered, work or personal. I pull my phone out of the side pocket of my leggings, glance down at the screen, and see a number that’s not programmed in. My phone unlocks with facial recognition, then I read the text message.
Unknown: Hey Kody, this is Jameson Evans. I wanted to apologize as well as thank you for yesterday. I didn’t handle the situation the greatest, and well, Josephine made sure I was aware of that. Thanks again, Jameson.
I roll my eyes. How very Jameson like, acting as if I know another Jameson. So, I do the dumbest thing in the world—I program his name in my phone before typing out a response.
Me: No problem. I can’t say I wouldn’t have been the same in your situation. Please tell Josephine hello for me.
Man, I should have said you’re welcome and left it at that. Clearly, working on being the people pleaser Shaun calls me is rearing its head. Which is why I’m shocked when Jameson texts me again.
Jameson (JoJo’s Dad): I hear you’ll be saying hello to her sometime today. Thanks again.
I have no idea what the hell he is talking about. What I do know is I’m not going to continue conversing with him through text. The last sentence speaks volumes. He was shutting down the discussion, which is more than okay for me. I’m going to finish my coffee, head to the historic district building, and see about setting up a small photo booth.
11
JAMESON
I’m pacing the floors of the house a few days later trying to come up with a plan, nearly at my wit’s end on what to do or how to fucking do it. Mom is working tomorrow. Dad is, too. Matthew will be on a job, same with Shaun, and I’ve got no idea who’s going to watch Josephine while I’m in a meeting. Usually, I’d take her with me, but there’s no way it’ll work this time around. When I’ve got to submit permits to the county, no big deal. Working on a small area to clear, no problem. A meeting with a new client? Yeah, that’s posing a big-as-fuck problem. I run my fingers through my hair, pulling at the ends while trying to come up with a situation that isn’t centered around Kody Goodwin.