Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
She stared at me questioningly, and I wasn’t sure how to respond at first because I was touched that she’d be willing to take Gigi along with her. Travelling with a teenager wasn’t always fun and especially when it was some else’s teenager.
“When exactly is the trip?” I asked, a frog in my throat.
“Not this weekend, but the weekend after,” Milly replied. “Just a short visit for two nights. Deirdre’s father will be away for a medical conference, so we’ll be staying in his townhouse. There’s more than enough room for Gigi.”
“Maybe I’ll come, too,” I blurted, and her eyes flared wide. “If you don’t mind, that is.”
“Oh, yes, please come with us,” Gigi put in. “You can take me shopping in Covent Garden, and we can go to that dress shop I love.”
“You should definitely go,” Pablo added, and Tristan let out a quiet chuckle.
“Not that it would benefit you to have the apartment all to yourself for an entire weekend.”
“Thanks a lot for pointing that out,” Pablo griped, as if I ever would’ve left him alone if my brother hadn’t said something. He and Tabitha were officially boyfriend and girlfriend now, and no way was I providing them with an adult free apartment to get up to God knows what in for two whole nights.
“If I do go, you’ll be staying here with your grandparents,” I told him firmly.
Pablo muttered something in irritation under this breath, while I glanced at Milly. Her throat flickered as she swallowed, colour rising in her cheeks again at the idea of going on a trip away with me. Sure, we might not get much privacy with both our daughters present, but I’d still be able to enjoy her company.
“I don’t mind you tagging along, not at all,” she replied at last, and I felt like I’d won something. I’d have to spend every hour I had working like a dog over the next two weeks in order to free myself up to go to London, but it would be worth it to spend time with Milly.
“Well, that’s that all settled,” Mam said, looking pleased. “Now, who’s ready for dessert?”
While everyone was distracted by the white chocolate cheesecake Mam produced, I softly slid a finger along Milly’s thigh and watched with relish as a tiny shiver went through her. It was the only touch I allowed myself, especially since Gigi was right there. With how fast my feelings were growing, I decided I needed to be honest with my daughter. It wasn’t fair to keep things from her, and being secretive for too long might be more damaging in the long run. I wanted to handle the situation with care and the way in which I told her was important. I needed to prepare the right words to ensure she didn’t feel betrayed or hurt by the news. Pablo, I suspected, wouldn’t be at all phased. If I sat down to have a serious conversation with him about dating Milly, he’d probably look me square in the eye and tell me he couldn’t care less about my love life.
At the end of dinner, Gigi and Pablo settled in with my parents to watch a TV show, while I offered to drive Milly home. She stated she was quite happy to walk, but then she saw that it was beginning to drizzle and gladly accepted the lift.
“So, you’re sure you want to come to London?” she asked when I pulled to a stop outside her house. I got out and came around to her side.
“Of course, I’m sure,” I said as I helped her out before walking her to her door. I ran my fingers along her jaw then pressed a chaste kiss to her temple. “Why? Do you want me to come?”
“It’s just that we’ll all be staying in Colin’s house, and I wasn’t sure if you’d want to—"
“I’m comfortable enough in my masculinity not to feel threatened by Deirdre’s father, if that’s what you’re asking,” I said with a hint of teasing.
“No, it’s not that. There’s nothing between me and Colin aside from friendship, and besides, he won’t be there. I was more referring to the fact that we’ll be sleeping under the same roof, and since we’re taking things slow for the sake of the girls, I thought maybe you wouldn’t be comfortable with that.”
Smiling, I leaned down to softly brush my lips over hers as I let out a heavy exhale. “Resisting you will be hard, of course, but I think I’ll be able to struggle through it. Just about.”
Milly giggled when I tickled her hips, and the sound did something strange to my chest. I wanted to hear it again. Every day.
“Well, in that case, I look forward to the trip.” She paused, pulling her lower lip between her teeth as she gazed up at me. “Would you like to come in for some tea? We could finally discuss that … subject you wanted to speak about.”