Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Hudson has a team that watches her place twenty-four seven. They know to inform me immediately if anything happens to her. She’s been lively as ever since going back home.
“Mom, I was only calling to see if you needed anything.” I roll my eyes and shake my head.
“What I need is for you to get on one of those dating apps or at least give me an idea of your type. I need to know what I’m looking for.”
“Mom, for the millionth time, I don’t need you to find me a man.”
I groan internally as Ronan snaps his head up and narrows his eyes at me. We’ve been seeing each other for about eight months now. In the last two months, I’ve practically been living here.
Even when he has to take business trips, I’ve been sticking around to dog-sit. At least that’s what I’ve been telling him and trying to tell myself. The truth is, I sleep better in his bed.
I might not be able to be wrapped in his arms, but I’m surrounded by him in another way. I’ve allowed myself to get comfortable here. So much so, I purchased an apartment in the building for my men to be close by without alerting Ronan to their presence.
Ronan doesn’t seem to mind having me here so much. He is in the habit of making me breakfast in the mornings after we go for a run with the dogs. Usually, I sit and write a bit while he cooks.
Normally, I tend to have my talks with my mom when he’s not around. I still haven’t introduced the two. My gut keeps telling me it’s not a good idea.
“Whatever, Danika. If you didn’t need my help, you would have a man and I’d be spending time with my daughter to plan her wedding, not planning to take her to Vegas to help her find a man.”
“I’m not even going to entertain that one. When we go, we’re going away for some mother-daughter time. Nothing more.”
She huffs and I swear I can feel her rolling her eyes at me. This trip is going to be something else. I can see it already.
“By the way. I’ve been trying to get in touch with your sister. I thought it would be a good idea to invite her along on our trip. I was thinking that she and I could work on our relationship and sort some things out.
“I haven’t been able to reach her. Have you spoken to her lately? Maybe you can tell her to call me,” Mom says hopefully.
“We sort of fell out. I haven’t spoken to her in a while,” I say tightly.
I don’t tell her I haven’t spoken to my sister in almost a year and a half. That’s not a conversation I want to get into at the moment. I’ve washed my hands of Anika. There’s nothing I have to say to her.
“Oh … you two used to be joined at the hip. I didn’t think anything of it when I didn’t see her at your house. I thought she was avoiding me. I had no idea you two weren’t on speaking terms. What happened?”
“It’s a long story and I’m being rude to my company. Did you need me to pick anything up for you?”
“No, I’m good. Byron stopped by with groceries for me yesterday. In fact, he was the one to get me to thinking about reaching out to Anika.”
I jerk my head back and pull a frown. First of all, Byron needs to mind his damn business. Secondly, who the fuck asked him to drop anything off to my mom?
I hate when people try to get in the middle of shit that has nothing to do with them. He may have some type of feelings about the loss of his family, but he has no idea why my mother and I don’t fuck with Anika. He needs to keep his nose out of my family business.
“Oh really? Since when has Byron been the deliveryman?”
“Danny, why do you treat that boy like that?”
“Like what?”
“I remember when you were little, and he was your best friend. Since … once Linda and Myron … when they died, you … Freddie and I both noticed you stopped behaving the same around Byron.”
Ronan places a plate before me as I sit at the kitchen island. He kisses the top of my head then nuzzles his face into my neck. I close my eyes and tell myself this isn’t the time for this conversation.
“Mom, this is a conversation for another time. Like I said, I’m being rude.”
“Fine, Danika. You keep treating good men like this and see what happens.”
“Love you, Mom. I’ll be by later.”
“Unless you’re bringing me a nice young man to meet that you’re dating, keep your big head where you are. Get on my nerves.”