Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
I attempted to slip by Theo without getting fully caught in his orbit.
But it felt as if the world wobbled as I walked by him, the earth canting to the side and pitching me in his direction.
Somehow, I managed to stagger the rest of the way to the far counter where the coffee pot was, my hand shaking as I opened the cabinet above it and grabbed a mug. The glass carafe clanked as I fumbled to pour myself a cup.
“How do you like your eggs?” Nelly glanced over her shoulder at Theo.
“Over medium would be nice, if that’s okay with you.”
“I think our Theo here is the nice one, don’t you, Pipes?” There my grandmother went, digging it deeper.
“Very nice,” I breathed against the rim of the cup as I brought it to my lips.
So nice, I wanted to succumb.
I hesitated, contemplating if I should risk walking back through those landmines to get to the refrigerator so I could get my cream.
Remaining facing away seemed like a solid plan.
Because I wasn’t sure I could look again at Theo standing in the middle of my kitchen.
My kitchen.
How quickly I’d come to think of this place as something it couldn’t be.
“Anything I can do?” Theo rumbled.
“Oh, well, our Pipes usually likes that fancy creamer in the fridge if you want to grab it for her.”
“I can get it.” It wheezed out of me, but Theo was already pushing from the counter, voice cut low as he muttered, “How about I do it for you?”
There was a command in it.
A low crack of possession.
A tremble rocked through me as I felt his movement, and I could hear the whooshing as he opened the refrigerator before his heavy footfalls were thudding up behind me.
He leaned over my shoulder, and his slow exhalation hit my cheek as he set the hazelnut creamer on the counter.
His voice was nothing but a rumble in my ear. “Remember that taking care of you is what I’m here for.”
“Oh, I can only imagine the way that boy takes care of you.” Nelly mumbled it under her breath.
“Nelly.” Gasping, I whirled her way and basically knocked directly into Theo’s solid chest.
Theo’s arms darted out to wrap around me from the front to steady me.
Hysterical since I’d never been so unsteady in my life.
Nelly met me with an unflinching gaze. “What? I told you it was about time that you started living your life. And this one right here might be the one who shows you exactly how to do it.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” The grin that stretched across Theo’s face was far too satisfied.
I shoved a little at his chest, breaking free of his hold.
“I’m completely fine all by myself,” I gritted.
It was knee-jerk.
The instinct to keep moving—to run, to evade, to protect—so overwhelming it was off my tongue before I could stop it.
My mind and spirit and stupid, failing heart at war.
Because this was so dangerous.
What was happening right in the middle of this kitchen.
I grabbed my cup from the counter and mumbled as I wound around Theo’s imposing frame, “I need to take a shower and get ready for work or else I’m going to be late.”
I rounded the long counter, head down as I beelined for the stairs, grinding my teeth in annoyance when I realized I hadn’t taken the time to put creamer in my coffee.
“Think you’re forgetting something, Pipes,” Theo hollered at my back, and in my periphery, I saw him waving the container in the air, smugness clinging to his ridiculously stupid, gorgeous face.
“This will do just fine,” I tossed out as I hurried upstairs like I was trying to outrun a tornado.
I slammed the bedroom door behind me and rushed into the bathroom.
Irritation smacked me full force as I looked down at my drab, boring, plain coffee.
My nose curled before I tipped the mug over and poured it down the drain.
Realizing it wasn’t fine.
Not even close.
TWENTY-FIVE
PIPER
Thirty minutes later, I had showered, moisturized my skin with my favorite cherry-scented lotion, and dressed. I’d tugged on a fluffy cream-colored sweater and a pair of velvet baby blue pants and the same over-the-knee boots I wore yesterday.
My love of fashion had never dissipated, though I had far fewer clothes than I likely would have if my life had turned out differently. If I hadn’t been so reckless and sent myself spiraling down a path that would destroy everything.
My hopes and my dreams and the true beauty of this life.
I swallowed around the barbwire of grief that threatened to close off my throat, and instead, focused on getting ready.
Cataloging the clothing that I did have up against the things I would need to buy since I was working at Ivy Threads. I was pretty sure everything would come out of that store.
Every item was adorable. Emery’s taste impeccable.