Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Both of them.
“I’m right here, Laney. You take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll do anything I can to help you remember.”
She doesn’t say anything, but that’s okay because her body language tells me all I need to know. She relaxes into me, and her arms move around my waist as she returns my hug. She feels it—this connection we share—and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her forget it. I won’t push her, though. I won’t make demands.
Not yet.
I still have a chance, and I’m not going down without a fight.
Chapter 7
Delaney
I have a crush. Kenton Baldwin is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. And his tattoos… they’re sexy as hell, and I find myself fantasizing about tracing them with my tongue. Beyond his sex appeal, he’s attentive, kind, and he gives off this… protective aura. I barely know him, but I’m confident when I say that I’m safe with him. There is just something about him.
We had dinner last night. He allowed me the freedom of meeting him at the small mom and pop diner, but it’s silly. I know he’s a good man. I can feel it deep in my gut. What’s stopping me is also in my gut, though. The butterflies. There is a colony of damn butterflies living in my belly, and they take flight when he’s near. The sound of his voice, hell, even when I think about him, they flutter around like crazy.
I’ve never felt this kind of connection with anyone, let alone anyone I just met. That makes me believe his story even more. We meant something to each other. My thoughts stray to my mother. I’ve talked to her no less than twice a day since I’ve arrived and haven’t said a word to her about what I’ve discovered. She hasn’t mentioned anything other than her disagreement when I tell her how amazing this house is. I can’t help but wonder if it really is the house and the people in this town or simply one person. Is it Kent? Is that why she’s hell-bent on not living in Jackson? Is that why she tried to keep me from coming here? And she was adamant that Kendrix stayed with her. Claiming it was best to check the house out first. Was she afraid he would see her? Then why is she coming now? She’s whining about coming, but she’s not fighting me on it. I have so many unanswered questions.
“Morning, Delaney.” The guy with the long hair waves as he walks through the door.
“Morning….” I let the greeting hang, realizing I don’t know who is who. Kent has told me all about each of them, but my brain is in information overload.
“Seth.” He grins.
“Morning, Seth.” I nod, giving him a small grateful yet apologetic smile for not knowing him.
“Do I need to tell your wife you’re flirting with my girl?” Kent’s husky voice asks.
I pull my attention from Seth to see Kent standing in the doorway, a huge smile on his face. My palm automatically goes to my cheek and presses against where he kissed me goodbye last night on the sidewalk outside the diner and then again when I got home. The crazy man followed me all the way here and parked behind my rental, walking me to the door and giving me a second goodnight kiss on the same cheek. Who does that? He’s gone out of his way to prove to me he’s a man worthy of my affections. Last night, he apologized yet again for standing me up that night. I don’t remember it, and he could easily have lied and told me all had been good with us, but he’s not. His honesty is refreshing in light of all that I’ve learned on this trip. With each passing hour, I know my mother is lying. It’s a gut feeling.
“Speaking of my wife, we’re having dinner at our place. You’re more than welcome to come.” He points over his shoulder. “Have this one show you the way.” With that, he winks and struts down the hallway.
Kent chuckles. “We’re close, but I’ve told you that. The wives, they take turns having dinner at each other’s houses. It’s loud and chaotic, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
“Sounds like a good time.”
“It is. What do you say? Will you come with me?”
“Kent, I don’t know. I still need to talk to my mother, and—” I pause because I really don’t have a good excuse.
“I want you there, Laney. So many times I’ve imagined what it would be like if I hadn’t had my head shoved so far up my ass that night that you were a permanent part of my life. I imagine how life would be if I wouldn’t have fucked up and lost you. Please say you’ll come with me. I want you to meet them. Even more so, I want them to meet you.”