Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Honey seems to have realized where she placed her hands because she removes them, and tears spill from her eyes. “No.” Her voice jumps. “Fucking hormones,” she quips herself.
I go to grab her out of desperation for information, but Dawson’s arm wraps protectively around her shoulders, and he stares me down. Touching his wife is completely off-limits.
My mind is running at a million miles an hour. “Honey, is Alina…?”
I can’t even say it out loud.
Is she carrying my child?
Is that even possible?
I never thought… never knew… never thought of the possibility.
“You need to find her, Will. She’s not in a good place right now.”
My world feels like it’s tearing apart as if I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life, and my feet are moving of their own accord as I rush out of the bar and toward the woman I should’ve never let go.
Something in me shifts. No matter the turmoil. No matter the pain. No matter how uncomfortable it all is. There’s something new. A new life. A new need for me. A new opportunity for me to be a better man. A new path and future I had never even considered. I can’t put it into words, but it removes any restrictions I’ve put on myself. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m running toward something.
But first I have to catch the girl.
A private jet would’ve been a fucking bonus right now.
CHAPTER 53
Alina
Steven’s friend showed me a storefront with office space yesterday. It was really nice. In fact, its location is almost perfect, and I have the room to potentially add a team of four. But something feels off. I don’t know if it’s me or if I’m still unsure as to whether I should be setting up in London or New York. I know I can eventually have an office in both cities, but I’m so undecided, and I think it mostly has a lot to do with everything else going on.
I told Steven I’d meet him for dinner tonight. When he asked me out for dinner after meeting with his friend, a small part of me expected that I’d say no, that I don’t feel anything for him other than friendship. But another part asked, what if it grows into something more? The matter of the pregnancy might complicate things, but it’s nice to be seen and to be desired.
He isn’t using me for sex. He hasn’t even made a move to kiss me. He’s been respectful the whole time, and I feel guilty he flew all this way, even if he does have a cousin he’s visiting.
When I walk into the restaurant, I give the reservation name and am taken to the back and seated at a table. Getting my phone out, I check the time. I’m ten minutes late, but Steven hasn’t messaged me, and I realize he’s not here yet, either.
The waitress comes over and asks me what I want to drink.
“She’ll have water,” I hear someone say as they take the seat across from me. My heart rate picks up, and I clutch my hands beneath the table as they immediately start to feel clammy. I freeze, staring at the man dressed in a sharp blue suit who sits opposite me like it’s his God-given right.
With one hand, he undoes the button to his suit jacket. I’m lost for words at the sight of Will’s tight lips, which are usually a dazzling smile. I never thought I’d see those blue eyes again.
“Hello, love,” he says.
“Love?” I cough, shaking my head. “You’ve given up on milady?” I spit back at him. “And you aren’t welcome here. That is someone else’s seat.”
“Oh, I know. Steven. You can do better.” When he notices the waitress isn’t sure what to do, he adds arrogantly, “Make that two sparkling waters, please.”
She nods and scurries away. I cross my arms over my chest.
“I can, can I?”
“Yes, of course you can. With your skills and beauty, a woman like you can do better.”
“Oh, and are you better?” I question. He offers a smile, but it doesn’t reach his gaze. His eyes are rimmed with black circles, most likely more sleepless nights. It’s satisfying to know I’m not the only one.
“I would be a great start, but no.”
“Why the fuck are you here, Will? Can’t you just leave me alone?”
“No,” he abruptly says, and the tone in his voice catches me off guard. My hands naturally gravitate toward my stomach protectively. The moment I realize I’m doing it, I stop. I don’t understand any of it.
“Last time we spoke, we promised to go our separate ways,” I remind him.
“Yes, and you told me that you hate me.”
“I still do,” I bite back. “The only reason I’m not losing my shit and flipping this table right now is because I quite like this restaurant.”