Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Jace texts me again.
Are you crying?
Yes. Happy tears. I don’t deserve you.
I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you, he writes again.
Jace shoos me out of the office at two. He has arranged for his driver to be at my disposal today. He’ll drop me at the spa, pick me up when I’m done, and take me home. Then Jace will pick me up to go for dinner.
The car pulls up in front of Eden Spa and after thanking the driver, I get out of the car and head to the glass entryway. The scent reminds me of my bouquet of roses that I got from Jace.
“Hi, welcome to Eden Spa,” the lady at the reception desk says, standing up to greet me.
I introduce myself and she tells me about the treatments I’ll be having. I want to let out a squeal of joy. I’m taken to a luxurious room and after removing my phone I place my handbag on a table and collapse on a chair. Someone gives me a pedicure while another works on my hands. I use my free hand to text Marcus. After all these sweet things that Jace is doing for me, the least I can do is let him meet my people.
It’s a risk but I’ll take it. When I’m out of Jace’s life, maybe he’ll know that what we had meant something because I introduced him to my family. The hard part is convincing Marcus.
Me: Hey bro. You and Charlotte are hereby invited to dinner tomorrow evening.
Marcus: What’s going on, sis? What are we celebrating? Your birthday? I thought we don’t do that.
Me: Maybe we should start but that’s a conversation for another day. I’ve invited Jace for dinner as well.
Marcus: Is that wise?
Me: He just wants to meet my family. I’ve met his. It’s natural that he wants to meet mine.
Marcus: Thought you were going to end things with him.
Me: I tried but I’m already in love with him. Things will work out. You’ll see. Do this for me. Please.
Marcus: You know I can’t say no to you. But if we mess up, the blame is on you.
Me: Thank you!!
I sit back to relax as the lady working on my feet does magical things with her hands. I put my phone down and surrender my hands for the same treatment. It’s not long before I start drifting off.
Chapter 21: Jace
“I’m taking a wild guess here but things must be good with Olivia?” Dylan says as we walk to the exit doors. I’m leaving a little earlier for an interview on a local TV station. The requests usually come up every so often and I never turn them down. Sometimes they’ll want a medical doctor on their panel and Alec or Dylan will go. It’s good publicity for our clinic.
I grin. “We cleared up the misunderstanding. It’s her birthday today, I’m taking her out to dinner.” I can’t wait to see Olivia after she’s been away from the office most of the afternoon. I hate to admit this but it is lonely up there without her.
“Wish her a happy birthday for me. Oh and by the way, Harper is feeling very left out because she’s the only one who hasn’t met Olivia.”
I laugh. “Tell her she will when the time is right. So will Mother and Father.”
We stop outside the building and Dylan looks at me. “She’s that special, huh?”
I nod solemnly. “Olivia ticks all the wrong boxes. She’s too young for me and she works at the clinic.”
“She’s added a year today,” Dylan quips. “Age really doesn’t matter as long as you love each other. As for working at the clinic, it’s only temporary. By the way, what are her plans when her stint with you is done?”
I feel foolish for not knowing. “No idea. I’ll ask.” I’ve been focused on the time she’ll be working for me and not thought beyond that. I’ll rectify that over dinner.
Dylan and I say our goodbyes and I head to my car. Before I start the car, I check my phone for messages from Olivia. Nothing but I’m not expecting any. We texted back and forth a few times when she got to the spa then agreed I’d pick her up from her apartment at six.
I muse over what I told Dylan. Am I rushing things wanting Olivia to meet my parents? There will be no going back as soon as I take that step. Instead of anxiety coming over me, I grin idiotically. I can’t wait to introduce Olivia to the most important people in my life.
The TV interview takes an hour to record. It will be aired later tonight. If we don’t linger over dinner, Olivia and I can catch it. I have just enough time to go home and take a quick shower. I dress and check my reflection critically in the mirror. I’ve gone for a semi-casual look which works well for dinner.