Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Milo holds the silence for a moment or two after my long spiel, keeping time with nothing more than a few little nods. “And that knowledge makes me yours?”
“Yeah, a little bit.”
“You don’t want me, Indie. I have a feeling you’re gonna get into enough trouble all on your own.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, crossing my arms.
He leans back again and laces his fingers behind his head. “What’s your endgame? Are you gonna graduate and leave Texas? Are you getting a job and cutting all ties with Fletcher? Are you feigning independence while using his money to pay for college? Or are you gonna get pregnant and shit all over your future before you get the chance to have a future?”
“I think the guy marrying someone for their money has no right to question my motives. I’m willing to leave it all. Fletcher. The family name. The money. All of it. Unlike you.”
“You think I have a choice?” He raises his brows.
I shrug. “I don’t know, Milo. Again, all of my business seems to be yours, but nothing about you is my business.”
“Indie, you don’t wanna know my business. It’s not pretty. It can’t be changed. I’m in debt beyond any amount of money. I chose my future years ago, and now I’m accepting it. Not all duty comes with honor. Sometimes you have to accept fate.”
“And Jolene is your fate?”
“So it would seem.” He scratches his jaw, stifling a yawn.
“Do you love her?”
Milo laughs. “I don’t know her. I’ve had a handful of interactions with her over the years. She’s … fine. She was nice enough to me. She’s graduating from law school. She’s mentally stable. Really, what’s there to complain about?”
My face sours. I can’t help it. “That’s so sad, Milo. You’re going to marry someone you don’t love. You’re going to have children with someone you don’t love. What’s the point?”
“You’re assuming love is the reason for living.”
“Isn’t it?”
He gives me a blank expression and a one-shoulder shrug. “I just do my thing. I love fresh air and sunshine. I love not being in prison like my brother. I love the freedom I’ve been granted. That’s my love.”
Milo leaves me speechless and sad for him. Turning, I head toward the stairs, but before I round the corner, I have to speak my truth. “I love your touch. I’ve always loved your touch, Milo. For different reasons. You’ve touched me in ways I’m sure you can’t imagine, maybe in ways you never intended. Your arms absorbed the grief I felt after Ruthie died. Your fingers have wiped so many tears from my face. Each swipe is like a salve to my soul, healing it with something as simple as a touch. And when your hand pressed against my cheek and down my leg in the grass by the pond…” I glance over my shoulder, resting my chin on it without fully lifting my gaze to him “…it made me feel beautiful. For that fleeting moment, I thought maybe you felt something for me. Something more than duty. Something more than loyalty. More than sympathy. Then you were gone. But your touch is still on my skin. I wonder if a day will come when I don’t feel your touch?” I laugh a little, and it’s a pain in the pit of my stomach. “I hope so because it hurts.”
When his silence cuts my last thread of bravery, I disappear to my room. But the pain won’t dissipate anytime soon. At least I said all the words that have been knotted in my throat for months … maybe years.
After a shower, I slide a white silk nightie over my body and lift my leg onto my vanity stool. While applying lotion, I glance at the mirror. Milo’s reflection stares at me from my bedroom doorway.
My heart pauses, choking my next breath. Turning toward him, I rub the lotion into my hands. I’m out of words. I’ve said all of them. So I wait. Milo’s in my doorway for a reason.
He takes a step toward me for a reason.
Another step.
Milo takes all the steps. He looks so sad and weary. “A million dollars, huh?”
A shuddering breath spreads like an earthquake across my chest. I want to nod, but I can’t. I’m shackled with grief. I’m stolen, yet I belong to no one. And when I leave for college and Milo marries Jolene, I will have no one.
His hand finds the side of my neck, and his thumb brushes along my pulse point. “What a bargain for someone so priceless,” he whispers.
Tears fill my eyes. He has no idea how long it’s been since someone has touched me, really touched me like this. How can a touch so light reach so deep? “M-Milo …” I stutter his name.
He gives me a sad smile while his head cants to the side. “Indie girl … I’m gonna kiss you. And it’s not gonna change anything, but it’s gonna mean everything. Okay?”