Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“I took my board exams this morning. It seemed like a good idea to speed up the process.”
Mom inhales sharply, her grip tightening.
Dad’s eyebrows shoot up. “Does anyone know?”
“Nope, another locked away gem in Willow Richards’ vault of secrets.”
“This is huge, honey. We have to celebrate,” Mom gushes.
For a split second, an excited thrill glides through me, then reality crashes in. “We can’t celebrate without family and friends. Grandma and Grandpa will be devastated.”
Mom chews on her lip, reminding me of many times growing up, her plotting to get around something.
“But I could do dinner. No one will think oddly of having a nice dinner with my parents, who are reconciling,” I add, watching them close. “You are reconciling, right?”
“We’re working through some issues.” Dad’s blasé response has me swinging my eyes between them.
“Do not tell me I’m headed to therapy for years for you to work through some issues.”
Mom watches my dad with so much love, it pours out of her. “Willow, your dad and I want to make sure all three of our children are okay with it. I messed up and know my complacency toward Rylee was a huge reason for our split. Going forward, we will be a team.”
“I’m totally okay with it,” I rush to say. “Chase will be, too.”
“Your brother still holds resentment; I need to make amends.”
“Love changes everything, and he’s totally in love. Believe me. And on the off chance he’s stuck on holding a grudge, I’ll handle it.”
She smiles gratefully. “We will see how things play out. But for now, it’s about you. What can I make you for dinner? Do you have any cravings?”
“Before the incident, I was craving Thai.”
“Thai sounds good.” There’s a flicker of disappointment in her gaze, and I realize she wanted to cook something special.
Mom always was a great cook. Unlike me, she had no aversion to grocery shopping, The house was always stocked with our favorites. Our schedules may have taken us in different directions every night, but she often had home-cooked meals ready.
“How about you surprise me? Anything but barbeque.”
Her face lights up. “I need to get to the store.”
The sudden urge to yawn hits, and I can’t cover my mouth fast enough. Both exchange a knowing grin. “Someone needs a nap.”
Taking the biggest exam of your academic career, putting on an act for your grandma, and witnessing your separated parents having sex will take a toll on anyone.
The epinephrine of the day is wearing off for sure.
She urges me backward, lifting my feet and slipping off my sandals. Her eyes rake over my ankle. “We need to ice this.”
“Stupid shopping cart.” I don’t dare tell them about the encounter with Joseph.
My body sinks into the plush leather and my eyelids get heavy. “Maybe a little snooze will reenergize me.”
A minute later, a cold compress is pressed across my ankle and a blanket falls over me.
I drift off to sleep cradling my lower abdomen.
The last thought that crosses my mind is almost comical. Here my parents are babying me while I baby the peanut.
Funny how things work out.
What is that delicious smell?
I think my stomach growls, but sleep wins over and I slink back into darkness.
Floating… Flying… suspended in animation… Is this what an astronaut feels like? My body is weightless, bouncing on clouds. Oops, must have missed the cloud because whatever I’ve landed on is hard.
Hard, but so warm.
Sleep brings me back under.
Ick, my neck itches… ha, Wolf licks my cheek… such a sweet dog…
He’ll be the best canine brother. I’ll be one of those moms who dresses my dog and child up for holidays in matching outfits.
Super cheesy, but adorable.
Talon will hate it, but he’ll deal.
Won’t he?
I mean, this baby may shock the shit out of him, but he’ll be happy. Right?
He mentioned wanting kids. Did he say that because he thought I had baby fever?
Does he want to be a dad?
Oh God, what if he freaks? Like super freaks.
All unpleasant thoughts disappear and my dream goes back on track.
Well, back on track to the tune and lyrics of Super Freak playing in my head.
She’s a super freak, super freak
She’s super-freaky, yow…
The montage rhythm has me thrusting my hips and singing like a rockstar.
Declan would be proud.
The cloud-rock under me agrees. Thrusting along.
This sofa must be made of one of those spring-like cushions.
Hmm, yummy… the aroma of sandalwood, eucalyptus, and amber waifs in the air.
Is it weird that I use my boyfriend’s body wash?
No one’s mentioned my smell as overwhelming.
Because that would be embarrassing.
Except my shower was hours ago, early morning to get in the groove and mindset for my exam.
And Dad’s couch is lush, buttery soft, inviting. Not hard.
My brain computes at a rapid speed, lighting up like a neon sign.
Please don’t let me be delusional.
I scramble to twist, losing the comforting safety of my position, and falling to the floor with a painful thud.