Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“Then, why sell?” If you’re that worried about it, but what the heck do I know?
“The market has changed. I don’t think they have much of an option at this point, but like I said, the Greens are generous. I’m sure that is part of why they are where they are, but they aren’t looking to run off with a ton of cash. They are primarily focused on setting a price and selecting the appropriate recipient.”
“Oh,” I peek up at him. “What kind of organizations?” I find myself asking.
“One is an after-school youth program, and I can’t recall the other offhand.” He shrugs.
"I wish more programs had been offered when I was growing up. Especially after you aged out, but I was always thankful to the ones that did help in any way they could.” I lick my lips. “What would you do with them if you got the property?”
He pauses at my question. I assume he already knows the answer to this. I'm sure the Greens will ask.
"Gabriella." He glances away from me.
"Would you prefer not to tell me?"
“I honestly don’t know.” His brows furrow together.
“And who do we have here?” I turn to see an older woman and man. The man has his arm wrapped around the woman’s waist. They are both very polished, but there is also a softness to them.
“Martha, Ben.” Caleb gives them a slight nod. “This is my fiancée, Gabriella. Gabriella, this is Martha and Ben Green.”
“Oh.” I smile. “It’s lovely to meet you.” I hold out my hand to shake theirs. Martha takes it.
“Fiancée?” Martha’s face lights up at that.
“I somehow got her to agree to marry me,” Caleb responds.
“You're full of it.” I elbow him in the side playfully. “He didn’t really ask. It was kind of an order.”
“That does sound a bit more like Caleb,” Ben says, taking my hand next.
“I know a good thing when I see it.” Caleb kisses the top of my head. “Shall we get a drink? I've reserved a table for us."
“That sounds perfect," Martha agrees. Caleb gets them drinks before we head to the table.
All my worries about fitting in fade away as we fall into effortless conversation with the Greens. Both of them are so easy to speak to. I end up speaking to Martha more, and the conversation ends on the after-school youth program when I tell her a little about my upbringing.
“You know—” Martha glances over toward Caleb and her husband, who are in their own conversation, before she continues. “It makes sense that Caleb fell for a girl like you.”
“What do you mean?” I find myself leaning in closer, wanting to hear this. It’s the first time I’ve really gotten to speak to anyone that knows Caleb. I can’t help but be curious.
“Well, you know,” she shrugs one shoulder, “he has a reputation for being a coldhearted asshole, to put it bluntly. A sweet girl like you must have melted the ice in his veins.”
“What?” I ask, confused. There is no way she is speaking of the same man I know. “Caleb is a sweetheart.” Martha’s brows lift. Now she seems to be the confused and shocked one.
"I suppose you haven't seen the other side of him. Honestly, I came here to tell him to take his money and shove it up his ass. I wanted to do it in person to see his reaction. If I could even get one.”
I sit there stunned with my mind racing. All these little things clicking together. Even though I don’t want to believe it, there were clues. It explains why his employees and other people that have dealt with him in the past were always giving us strange looks. How the heck had I not put it together before?
“I don’t know that side of him,” I admit, wondering what else I don’t know.
“Well, I won’t be telling him to shove it up his ass now that I’ve met you. In fact, I’m going to take the offer. He can’t shut down the programs while you are by his side. Actually, I believe that they will flourish more now that you're involved and can bring a personal experience to the table. It’s clear you have a hold over him. That you have him doing things that are out of character.”
Thankfully, a server stops by to inquire if we'd like more drinks, saving me from having to respond to Martha. At least not without getting my thoughts together.
Honestly, I’m at a loss for words at the moment. I can’t shut down the thoughts and now doubts that have taken residence in my head. The primary one being do I really even know this man I’ve fallen in love with and agreed to marry? I push that thought out immediately. Caleb has been nothing but good to me. He has shown me more kindness and love in the short amount of time that I’ve known him than I have experienced in my entire life.