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)
Pure fucking perfection.
Her stare slowly comes into focus and her blush deepens as she releases her hold and scoots back in her stool.
“Ummm, that was…”
I give her a few seconds to gather herself, hoping my dick will get the message.
“What’s your name, Princess?”
Before she answers, a guy from the station passes by and shouts, “Way to go on that homer, Simms!”
I tip my chin, giving him a finger flick.
“Homer? As in homerun?”
The beauty in her expression has been replaced with dread.
“You played in the game tonight? Which team?”
“The winning one.”
“You’re a cop?”
“Yes,” I answer slowly, knowing immediately it was the wrong answer.
She gathers her bag and jumps to her feet, swaying slightly on the wedged boots. “I have to go.”
“What—”
She ducks around me, pausing to give me one last look. “Thank you for that… for stepping in and… it was very sweet and probably uncomfortable.”
She rushes away before I can process what the hell is happening.
“Shit, shit shit… She found out you’re an officer?” Her friend materializes at my side.
“That a problem?”
“Not to me, but Wills has preconceived issues.”
“Wills?”
She throws some cash on the table and sighs. “Thanks for tonight. Sorry if it was weird.”
Like her friend, she disappears through the crowd before I can get out a question.
“Jesus, what the fuck?” I rub the back of my neck, flinching at the twinge in my shoulder.
People crowd around the now vacant table and I head toward the back entrance and Tom’s office.
More specifically, the security footage of the parking lot.
And the gorgeous yet skittish brunette who just hauled ass.
1
WILLOW
Save the Date
Rylee & Joseph Are Tying the Knot
Tears blur my eyes, and I suck in a deep breath to stop the impending meltdown. The pounding at my door jolts me out of my head and I swipe my cheeks, dropping the invitation.
“Lolo!”
The emotions dry up immediately at the sweet sound. I rush to the door and throw it open, bracing. My five-year-old nephew plows into my legs.
“Lolo,” he repeats.
“Wyatt!” I mirror his enthusiasm, sweeping him into my arms and planting kisses all over his chubby cheeks.
He bats me away, squirming to get down. “Where’s Wolf?”
At his name, my dog comes barreling in from the backyard, hopping wildly.
“Calm down, boy.”
“He’s fine.” My brother, Chase, crouches to greet Wolf. “Think you can take the boy outside and burn off some of this energy?”
“Did you ask my dog to babysit your son?”
“Yes, he keeps the kid entertained.”
“It’s cold outside.”
Chase looks up at me, his grin faltering as he gets to his feet. “Wyatt’s bundled up. And the yard is fenced. Let them go.”
I reluctantly put Wyatt down and watch them both run out back.
“Did we get here in time?” My grandma bustles through the door.
“I think we are too late,” Chase says solemnly, still studying me.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been crying.”
My eyes sting again at the humiliation creeping in. “No.”
“You’re a shit liar, Squeak.” He passes me and stops at my counter, his jaw going hard at the pile of mail. “She’s a fucking bitch.”
“Chase!” I shut the door and slice my eyes to Grandma.
“I have to agree with him on this one, Willow.” She unwraps her scarf and hangs it with her coat on the wall rack. “Let’s have some wine.”
All plans of a quiet night alone go up in smoke as she makes her way to the fridge.
“Not that I don’t love seeing y’all, but it’s a work night and I’ve had a crazy day.”
“Told you she’d try to blow us off.” Grandma hands Chase a beer and uncorks the bottle of wine I planned to finish by myself.
“Good thing we don’t care about being unwelcome.” He pops the cap off and takes a long swig. “She opened it.” He flicks the invitation across the counter.
“I opened my mail. That’s not a crime.”
“No, but this shit is wrong. I hoped to get it before you saw.”
“You can’t police my mail service. Besides, it’s not like we didn’t know this was coming.”
“I had hope that Rylee had one decent thing left in her. Sending you an invitation proves she’s lost all sense of class and decency.”
There’s a reason my brother’s nickname holds true. As hard as I try, I can’t stop the squeak that slips out. “Rylee? You’ve known her her whole life. When has she ever shown a shred of decency?”
“She’s your sister, and God knows I love my grandchildren with all my heart, but this is too much.”
“Not anymore.” Chase sets the bottle on the counter with more force than necessary. My stomach dives at the hatred burning in his eyes. “From this day forward, she’s no longer our sister.”
“Chase, don’t say this because of me.”
“I’m serious and you’re done dealing with her bullshit. Rylee has always been a spoiled, narcissistic, pretentious brat. But this takes the cake. Sending you an invitation to her wedding to the fucking loser who strung you along for over two years.”