Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“There’s my favourite girl in the whole wide world,” Elias exclaimed as he hugged her tight. It was almost comical because with most people he was standoffish, sometimes to the point of being rude, but with my daughter, he turned into a big softie. Roan sat in the living room, his shoulder length blond hair artfully mussed as he perched a pad on his knee, working on a sketch. He was the sort of guy who was always moving, always keeping his hands occupied, like if he stopped for a single second, he’d have to contemplate the meaning of existence, and that was just too heavy for his sensitive soul.
Elias brought Zara into the kitchen to help him finish making dinner, so I went to sit next to Roan.
“Hi, Jace,” he greeted but didn’t look up from his sketch.
“Roan,” I said, peering at the sketchpad and finding an outline of the view from Elias’ floor to ceiling windows. “Looks good,” I went on, and Roan finally put down his pencil to peer at me.
“How have you been?”
“As well as can be expected.”
He studied me a moment. “You’re not freaking out about the catfish thing? If it were me, I’d be a nervous wreck.”
“Thanks. That makes me feel so much better,” I deadpanned, and he instantly looked sorry. I personally thought my dad was crazy suspecting Roan, even if he was besotted with Shannon. He was too much of an open book. You could read his every thought right there on his face. I mean, it was why it was so obvious to me that he had feelings for my ex. The only thing that kept me sane was that the likelihood of Roan ever making a move on Shannon was non-existent. He had too much loyalty to me and would likely carry his affection to his grave than ever act on it. It was fucked up that I was relieved by that, even if I did empathise with him. After all, I knew what it was like to love Shannon and not be able to be with her.
“How has Shannon been taking it?” he asked then, and I was surprised she wasn’t the first person he’d inquired about. I’d never outright accuse him of having feelings for her because I knew he’d probably never be able to face me again if I did, and I liked him too much to do that. To be honest, if it didn’t make me irrationally jealous and if I wasn’t still hopelessly in love with her myself, I might’ve encouraged him to pursue her. Roan was a good bloke with a kind heart, and at least I’d know she’d be with someone who’d treat her well instead of some random dickhead off a dating app.
Fuck, I was still worked up from hearing that ping coming from her phone.
“She’s alright, mostly just concerned about Zara’s safety,” I replied.
“I’m sure she’s worried about you, too,” Roan said. “The way she held your hand the other night at the gallery. She was definitely concerned for you.”
See? This was how good a guy Roan was. He knew I still loved her and that it meant a lot for me to hear someone say Shannon still cared for me, despite harbouring his own feelings.
“She’s a good woman. She’d be concerned for anyone in the same situation.” Why was there suddenly a frog in my throat? The way I subconsciously needed Shannon’s affection was worrying.
“No, I don’t think—”
Before he could finish, Elias and Zara started calling us into the kitchen. “Food’s ready! Get in here!”
“Yeah! Get in here,” Zara echoed before letting out a big guffaw of a laugh. Man, she was such a giddy kid. I loved that about her.
“I hope nobody has plans to kiss anyone tonight because I used a lot of garlic,” Elias said as Roan and I approached the table and saw that the meal consisted of chicken Kiev, mashed potatoes, and greens with a side of garlic bread.
“Not me,” Roan said. “My love life is tumbleweeds right now.”
“What about the manager from the art gallery?” Elias put in. “She’s into you.”
I recalled the tall, pretty brunette from the gallery. The one I’d purchased Roan’s painting of Shannon from. Which reminded me, I still had to go collect the piece. I wasn’t sure if Roan could see the details of who’d purchased which painting, but if he knew I’d bought it, he hadn’t mentioned it. And that was again why he was such a great guy and definitely shouldn’t be on my dad’s list of catfish suspects.
Roan flushed. “She’s not into me. She’s just a friendly person.”
Elias chuckled. “Sure, bro. I’m glad I’m not as oblivious as you are; otherwise, I’d never get—” He caught himself as he glanced at Zara before finishing, “to spend time with any friendly ladies.”