Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
His gentle touch calmed me for a moment. But then reality set in. “You have to get back to your life.”
“There’s nothing more important than you. Fuck the rest.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know how you can say that, Atticus. After everything…”
“I’m not just saying it. I mean it. I’ll drop everything for as long as you need me to stay.”
His eyes glistened as he looked deeply into mine. I could see my reflection in them. Those beautiful eyes had once held my entire future, the promise of children, and a life of laughter and love—eyes that were constantly begging me to reconsider that dream, even if he didn’t come out and ask me.
“How was your trip?” I asked, willing myself to focus.
My question seemed to break his trance. “It was good. Very good. Thank you for asking.”
I nodded, shooing away the pangs in my chest.
“Do you want me to tell you more?” He swallowed.
My heart raced as I shook my head. You’re a coward, Nicole.
“Okay,” he whispered.
It was too much to go there tonight. I needed to keep my focus on the problem at hand. What the hell was I going to do with Mimi now that she had no one to take care of her?
“Don’t hold the entire world on your shoulders, okay?” he said. “We’re not gonna come to a solution tonight or even tomorrow. But we’ll find a good person to watch over her. Might take a couple of weeks. But I’ll make sure she gets the absolute best care, even if we have to pay more.”
“I don’t want to take your money.”
“It wouldn’t be you taking it. It would be for Mimi, and I think we can both agree that we just need to do what’s best for her at this point.”
I’d been adamant since the divorce about not taking a single cent from Atticus. If I couldn’t handle his fame, I didn’t want his money. But he was right. If he was willing to help pay for someone we otherwise couldn’t afford, that would be in Mimi’s best interest, and I’d need to get over it. Atticus was a multimillionaire. If he wanted to give money to Mimi, who was I to interfere?
“It’s going to be very hard to replace Louise because it was a unique arrangement,” I explained. “Rather than being here eight hours a day, she’d come in and out since she lived nearby, keeping tabs on Mimi with the camera and the app. She took much less money than anyone else probably will.”
Since I’d been using Mimi’s savings to pay for her care, I really appreciated not having to pay double or triple what Louise charged. Mimi needed around-the-clock assistance, but the going rate for that was through the roof.
Atticus shook his head. “Please don’t worry about the money, okay? We’ll figure it out one step at a time.”
Letting out a long breath, I nodded. “I’ll try.”
He looked into my eyes again. “I’m not exactly upset about the prospect of staying here longer until we can find someone. I still have time before I’m needed in L.A.”
That brought me some comfort. “Kenzie came by today,” I told him.
His expression brightened. “Really?”
“Yeah, I think she was looking to say hello to you, but since you weren’t here, she and I had a nice talk.”
“That makes me so freaking happy. I know how much she’s missed you. I’m glad I wasn’t here, if it gave you a chance to talk to her.”
“Yeah, it surprised me how easy it was to open up to her. I can’t believe she’s twenty-four. We’re only seven years apart, but I still see her as the eleven-year-old she was when you and I started dating.”
“Sadly, I do, too, which makes it a problem if I ever meet any of her boyfriends.”
“I definitely fear for any man who hurts her.”
“She’s gonna be Tristan and Emily’s wedding photographer, you know,” he said proudly.
“Oh, no way.” I smiled. “She was telling me she’s been doing a lot of weddings but wants to get into more journalistic stuff.”
“Yeah, she’s really talented. Have you seen her photos?”
“I follow her social media, yeah. She’s definitely found her calling.” I paused. “Just like her uncle, who followed his dream and made it happen. Even after everything, I’m so damn proud of you, Atticus. I don’t say that enough.”
“Well, you were the person who made me believe in myself enough to stick with it.” He smiled sadly. “It’s hard for me to appreciate my career sometimes with how complicated it’s made my life.”
“I made it complicated when it didn’t have to be. My own fears. You’re an amazing musician. Don’t ever regret following your dream.”
His stare was incendiary. “Don’t you realize you were my dream?”
I froze. His words cut straight to my heart.
“You couldn’t help your fears. I just wish…” He trailed off. “Well, I wish a lot of things.”