Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“I have a day off,” she snaps. “Unlike you, some of us don’t work twenty four seven, William.”
I silently stare at her. That works as it always does to lure even more information from her.
“There’s a big auction on Saturday, so my boss gave me the day off today to do as I please, “ she explains. “I wanted to spend it with my two favorite guys.”
“Who?” Bauer decides to reenter the conversation. “We’re your two favorite guys?”
With the wind whipping a few strands of her hair against her cheek, her gaze volleys between us. “I guess I have three favorite guys because Dad is one of a kind.”
She’s right about that. Our father is one of a kind. Arguably, part of his irrefutable charm is his stubbornness. I know he’s in no hurry to return to New York with our mom for a party or anything else, and us crashing their trip may not go over well since they consider this the extended honeymoon they never had thirty-five years ago when they first married.
“I’ll talk to Dad,” I offer. “I’ll see where his head is at regarding their anniversary. It may be best to wait to celebrate when they’re back home.”
Scout pouts. “Fine, but be discrete about it.”
I’m an expert at that, so I see no problem with it. “I will.”
“Speaking of discretion, what’s happening with you and the woman?” Bauer shoots me a look with a cocked brow. “Is that still a thing?”
I’m not about to share details about my relationship with Opal with these two, so I answer curtly, “Yes.”
Scout takes a sip of her drink, cringing as she swallows. “Give us more than that, William.”
I point at her glass. “You don’t have to drink that.”
“Bauer paid for it, so I should.”
“It’s shit,” Bauer says, pushing his almost full glass away from him. “Once we wrap this up, I’ll take you to Tin Anchor for a whiskey sour that will blow your socks off.”
“Deal.” She beams with a smile. “I picked this place because I saw good reviews online for it. It’s the last time I trust other people’s opinions.”
I laugh. “Good call. Those fries are a greasy mess.”
“You’ll come with us to Tin Anchor, won’t you, William?” She pushes back from the small circular table we’ve been seated around. “You love that pub.”
I’m fond of it. It’s an eclectic bar in Greenwich Village that I used to meet these two at before Scout took off for London. I’m mildly surprised she didn’t arrange for us to gather there today. It seems her curiosity about this restaurant’s chili cheese fries and whiskey sours won out over nostalgia.
“I can’t.” I shake my head. “I’ve got work to take care of.”
“I understand,” Scout whispers. “Will you do something for me, William?”
“Anything,” I say without any hesitation. “Name it.”
She looks into my eyes. “Be selfish.”
“Selfish?” Bauer questions. “That’s the last thing William has ever been.”
“I know.” She shoots him a look. “He needs to be now, though, Bauer. I think he’s in love.”
“What?” I bark out an exaggerated laugh.
She pats the top of my hand. “Your face says it all. There’s this profound happiness in your eyes I’ve never seen before, and your smile is brighter.”
I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s picked up on the happiness I’ve been feeling since I met Opal. I like Opal a hell of a lot, but she’s made it clear I’m nothing but a fun fucking stop on her life journey. Literally.
“I know you haven’t said much about her.” She pauses to shake her head. “Or anything at all, but she means something to you, so be selfish. Make time for her even if it means blowing off work or us.”
Arguing with her will be useless, so I take her hand in mine for a squeeze. “I will.”
“Promise you’ll introduce me to her before you propose.” She slides her hand from mine. “I can’t wait to help plan your wedding.”
Bauer chuckles. “You’re jumping the gun, Scout. Take a breath.”
She ignores him and focuses solely on me. “Promise.”
It can’t hurt to promise something that has no possibility of ever coming to fruition. Opal has made it very clear that our relationship is casual. I haven’t lost sight of the fact that I’m her temporary lover, so I give my sister what she wants. “I promise.”
49
Opal
“Fancy meeting you here.” I smile as soon as I spot William on the approach on the sidewalk outside of my bar. “I didn’t expect to see you again today.”
I truly didn’t.
Since we parted ways earlier, I’ve been knee deep in preparation for the official launch of Turquoise Crown. That included giving a Manhattan-based influencer a sneak peek of the bar. She arrived just over an hour ago, and after twenty minutes of conversation, she posted on her socials about how Turquoise Crown was going to take the bar scene by storm.