Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
She sighed. “Yeah, I can see that hangdog expression from like, a million miles away. You’re all torn up about losing Nix.”
“Yeah, and?”
She shrugged. “Good. It means you know you messed up a good thing. So what do you plan to do about it?” She folded her arms and glared at me but with a small smirk on er face. “Well?”
“I’m not sure, I thought I’d start with talking but someone ruined that. Thanks, by the way.”
Torey rolled her eyes and brushed off my words. “You’re totally welcome. Look if you really want to talk to Nix then come to the farmhouse. She’s hosting dinner. Mac will be there and I assumed you would be too.”
I smiled. “That sneaky little fucker. I thought it was at your house.”
“Nope. See you there. Or not.” With those parting words, she took off in the opposite direction humming some Christmas pop song.
The longer I stood there on the empty street, the better I began to feel about everything. I had a plan for everything, hell I’d spent the past twenty-four hours trying to figure out how to make everything right. But first, Aunt Nadia would skin me alive if I showed up for a dinner emptyhanded.
Forty minutes later I stood on Nix’s doorstep and waited for someone to answer the door. Music vibrated against the walls and I knocked twice, a little louder so I didn’t freeze out here on the porch. The door opened and I relaxed until I saw who it was. “Mac, why are you answering Nix’s door?”
He flashed a wide grin and took a long swig from a beer bottle. “I was closest to the door and that’s how they do things around here. You coming in?”
I nodded and took a step forward but my annoying little brother stopped me. “What now?”
“What’s in the bag?”
“Beer and wine.”
He laughed. “Nadia?”
“Always in my head, making sure I do the right thing.” I could’ve used her words of wisdom before I walked into the bakery a few days ago.
“Same. Mostly.” He stepped back and waved me inside. “Nix is in the kitchen.”
Of course she was. “Thanks.”
“Good luck,” he called after me.
There were at least twenty people gathered inside the farmhouse, making it seem a lot less spacious than the last time I was here. I got a few stares but most of the people were too wrapped up in their drinks and their friends and the holiday spirit. When I finally reached the kitchen my tongue was tied and everything I wanted to say flew out the window. “Nix.”
Her shoulders tensed instantly but she quickly recovered and turned to face me with a phony smile. “Lee. Welcome. Food will be reason soon and there’s beer and wine in the fridge and a pitiful excuse for a bar beside the wood, if you remember where that is.”
“I remember everything,” I growled. It wasn’t an angry sound but I needed her to know. “You’re unforgettable Nix.”
She nodded. “I’m sure I am. It’s not everyday you spend a few nights with a prostitute.”
I sighed and closed the gap between us. “I deserve that. I deserve every snarky fucking comment you can throw my way, but I’m here because I miss you Nix. And because I’m sorry.” I laid my hands on her shoulders. “So fucking sorry about the things I said to you. I’m sorry for ruining what we had and putting that look on your face.” I pressed my forehead to hers and considered it progress that she didn’t push me away.
“Lee don’t do this. Please.”
“I have to Nix because I miss you. I can’t stop thinking about you. About what we could’ve been if I hadn’t screwed it all up.” I released a heavy sigh and stole the softest of kisses. “I love you, Nix. I’m late in realizing it and saying it, and I know that, but I mean it. More than anything.”
Tears streamed down her face as she closed her eyes. “Lee, don’t say it if you don’t mean it.”
“I mean it. I love you Nix. I love you and I want to find a way to make us work.” My hands slid up to cup her face. “Just tell me that it’s not too late.”
“It’s not.” Those two whispered words were almost as sweet as the sound of her moans. “It’s not too late.”
“Good,” I sighed and kissed her again, but this time I kissed her slowly. I took my time and savored the taste of her lips, the feel of her silky hair as it spilled through my fingers. “As much as I want to do this for the rest of my life, I have a gift for you.”
She pouted. “I didn’t get you anything.”
“I got you, that’s the best gift of all Nix.”
This time she kissed me and it was incredible. She was mine again and this time I wouldn’t screw it up. “Okay, what’s the gift?” She held out her hand and then yanked it back. “It’s not some gaudy jewelry is it? Or an expensive car? I mean, the sentiment would be sweet but that would be completely outrageous. Right?”