Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“Oh dear.” My mother’s eyes see the green ring around her finger, and the way she’s holding it allows me to see it for the first time as well. “Doesn’t matter how many times they coat it in gold, the less expensive metal will always wear through. It’s best to save and invest in quality pieces. “Although I will admit,” she whispers, looking around to make sure no one else is listening, “I have some fabulous pieces I bought myself off the street.” You’d never know they weren’t the name brand.” Unlike how that asshole made her feel, I don’t hear any embarrassment in her tone this time. Maybe not the approach I would have taken with her, but I appreciate that my mother didn’t make her feel bad about the purchase. I, though, get hit with a glare and crossed brows. “You didn’t buy her something to cause this, did you?”
“No,” Delaney replies as if she has to come to my defense, though a smile has worked its way across her face as well. She doesn’t need to defend me, but I appreciate the sentiment. “It was just a cheap ring I bought myself.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I’d only buy Delaney the real thing.”
Patting her hand, she says, “She deserves it like that gorgeous neck—”
“Heyyyy,” Jimmy’s voice booms, and I’m grabbed from behind into one of his bear hugs as he looks at my mother over my shoulder, and says, “Thanks for the check, Mrs. Landers.”
“You’re welcome, James. Congratulations on the nuptials.”
Patting my chest like he’s beating a bongo, he says, “This guy, he’s the best.”
Jimmy isn’t for everyone, but he’s been a loyal friend and makes me laugh. He’s not the one to watch a football game with. His temperature rises with one bad call, and his mood ruins the rest of the game for all of us.
“Careful, my arm’s still broken.”
He sets me down with his eyes fixed on Delaney. He tilts his head and holds out his hand. “You’re Warner’s plus-one?”
“Don’t be obnoxious, Jimmy,” I say, holding Delaney’s hand again as she shakes his with her other. “Delaney. Jimmy. Jimmy. Delaney.”
His head jerks back as soon as they release their grip. Holding his hand against his cummerbund, he looks at me while pointing at her. “How the fuck did this happen?” Subtle is not his forte. “Last time I saw her, she was yelling at you in the streets of New York. How did you end up dating?”
“What are you talking about?” I stare at him. Nothing of the sort has ever happened. He’s never even met her before, and in a city of eight million, I highly doubt he’s seen her. He most definitely hasn’t seen her yelling at me before. “That never happened.”
Delaney’s hand slips out of mine, and she clutches her purse in front of her. Her cheeks and those pretty lips have drained of the sweet pink that typically shades them, and her blue eyes shine brighter under the glassy surface.
My mother’s exit to visit a friend closes our circle a little tighter. Jimmy is still silently standing here, like I have an answer for him. And then he laughs, boisterous like he is. “You’re fucking with me, War.” He points at her again, and his gaze follows. “This is the same chick. I was checking her out in the elevator after she made a big stink at the reception of your office.” He shakes his head like I’m the one who lost touch with reality. “You remember, right? Tell me I’m not wrong.” He faces Delaney again, who has shrunk into herself, her shoulders rolled forward, her mouth sagging down as if she wants to speak but can’t find the words. I know the feeling. “You’re the same girl, right?”
“Fuucck.” He hits my chest with the back of his hand. “That’s when you had the accident. You probably don’t remember.” His grin is normally contagious, but not this time. My chest tightens, and an ache starts to permeate my thoughts. The smile is wiped from his face, and he says, “But I do.”
“I think,” Delaney says, her voice almost too quiet to be heard, but it’s loud in my ears, echoing through the hollows of my chest, “I should go.” Her eyes go from me to him as she steps to the side of the chair where she had been sitting. The food on our dinner plates has gone cold, and the drinks are warm. “Congratulations. I wish you much happiness.”
She doesn’t say anything more to me. She walks away from the table, attempting to slip out of my life without a trace. But we’re too far past that point. Her fingerprints cover my body, her kisses linger on my lips, but it’s her love that she’s ripped away like a bandage.
“She was going off on you, man. I didn’t know you were a forgiving man.” He looks over at some guy in a pink tie and blue suit, probably someone he works with, and throws his arm in the air. “Coming to see you next, brother.”