Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Sabrina flashed me a farewell smile. “See you tomorrow, bright and early.”
I waved. “Tomorrow.” Turning back to my laptop, I quickly skimmed through my emails, ensured there was nothing time-sensitive, and then made a mental note to respond to them tomorrow before switching off the device.
As I gathered all my stuff together, I reminded myself to wrap Sarah’s gifts when I got home. I’d meant to do it last night but had forgotten.
A month ago, I would have predicted there’d be a weird vibe at the restaurant table, given Blake had reservations about my marriage to Dax. But for the past few weeks, Blake had behaved differently toward me. He spoke to me with genuine warmth.
I wasn’t sure why, or if it was caused by anything in particular. But his politeness wasn’t forced, and his queries about my life weren’t mere attempts at civility. Maybe he’d decided to simply make his peace with the situation. Or maybe it was somehow connected to my having given Dax a false alibi—I had no clue; wasn’t sure Blake even knew about that.
I couldn’t say that my own father had let his reservations drop. However, he’d been less frosty toward Dax on the past few occasions they’d been in the same room. Dane was still a little standoffish, but nowhere near as rude. I was glad of it, because my protectiveness toward Dax had grown.
There had been a subtle shift in our dynamics. A lessening of self-protective tension on his part. As if he—or his subconscious, maybe—no longer viewed me as a threat so wasn’t braced for rejection or betrayal. There was an ease between us now that hadn’t been there before.
Oh, Dax was still as guarded as ever. That would never change—the trait was woven into the fabric of his personality. But I didn’t feel that there was an abyss between us nowadays. More like a moat.
A moat was fine. I might never cross it, might never be someone he cared for, might never bypass his mental barriers, but I didn’t need him to expose so much of himself to me. I just wanted us to be friends. That was exactly what we were.
We still didn’t venture out together unless it was a group event, like to one of Drey’s games or a family meal. But our conversations didn’t feel in any way forced. Our interest in each other’s routine and goings-on was real.
We talked. Teased. Shared. The air of remoteness that had originally existed between us had slowly but surely fizzled out. So, yeah, everything was going well.
This was made better by how we’d had three weeks of pure peace. No more bullshit from Felicity, Grayden, or Blaise. And aside from the apologetic text she’d sent to Dax the morning after her last stunt—a text within which she’d also assured him that she’d never sell any stories about him to the media—there’d been no more peeps out of Mimi.
Ready to leave, I locked my office, said my goodbyes to the members of my team who hadn’t yet left their desks, and then took the elevator down to the first floor.
As I was crossing the lobby, my phone began to chime. Halting, I dug a hand into my purse and whipped out my cell. Mom. Feeling my lips soften into a smile, I greeted, “Hey Mom, what’s up?”
A shaky breath traveled down the line. “Addie, don’t panic; hear me out all the way.”
I went motionless, my gut clenching. “What’s happened?”
She hesitated. “Wyatt’s in hospital. We think he had a heart attack.” Her voice broke on the latter words.
I all but flew out of the building as dread gripped me in its jaws. “What hospital?”
“St. Erin’s.”
“I’ll meet you there,” I told her as I ran for the parking lot, my pace restricted by my goddamn high heels.
“You don’t need to come all the way up here; I can keep you updated.”
Fuck that. “I’m on my way. Text me where exactly you’re at.” The hospital was huge. “I’ll see you soon.” I hung up and dialed Dax’s number, tearing across the parking lot like my ass was on fire.
“Yes?” he answered.
“I’m sorry but you’ll need to head to Sarah’s birthday meal without me,” I said, my words a little breathy and choppy.
A brief pause. “What’s wrong?” His voice was hard and cautious.
“Wyatt had a heart attack. Or that’s what my mom suspects—she doesn’t know for sure yet.” Finally reaching my car, I unlocked it with the key fob. “I’m heading to St. Erin’s now.”
A low curse sounded. “I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to think the worst. People can have chest pains for other reasons.”
“I know, but it’s hard not to panic.” Having tossed my purse and satchel on the passenger seat, I hopped into the car and switched on the engine. “I’ll text you when I know more. I have to go.”