Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Her mother said pertly, “It’s not time for the intentions talk yet. At least not on his side. But you haven’t asked me what my intentions are.”
And there it was. Did Michaela even want to know? But she had to ask. “And what are your intentions?”
Her mother sat back in her chair, tipped her face to the sun. “I’d like a romance.” Her cheeks seemed to glow in the light, especially the one where Walter had kissed her. “I’ve never had a romance.” She shrugged. “Oh, maybe there was a bit with your father. But that was so long ago I don’t even remember.”
Michaela couldn’t stop the wince of her heart. She wanted a romance for her mother. She’d been trying to match her for years. But Flo never let her. And now she’d matched herself with a billionaire. Michaela couldn’t help thinking about Troy, how far apart their worlds were. There was no difference for her mother. Except that Flo was older.
As much as she questioned whether she had the right to speak up, Michaela simply had to. “You deserve a romance, Mom. But remember, he’s a billionaire. And they don’t think like us. Their worlds are completely different from the one we live in.”
Flo flapped her hand. “You don’t need to worry about my heart, sweetheart. It was broken once, and now it’s unbreakable.”
But was it? “I worry about you. I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
Flo shook her head. “I’d rather take a little risk than skip the romance altogether.”
It was almost as though she meant those words for Michaela. But of course she didn’t. Because her mother didn’t know about last night with Troy. And even though Flo was her very best friend, she couldn’t talk about it. Right now, she felt too pressurized. Because she’d come to care for him. Because the lovemaking had been so amazing. And because it made her fears only worse.
As if her maternal antennae had picked up her thoughts, Flo asked, “So what did you do last night?” Her eyes glittered as though she already knew.
Maybe she did. Because where her daughter was concerned, Flo Killian was psychic.
Michaela shrugged. “I binged all our favorite romance movies.”
Flo gasped. “Without me? That means you’re not going to want to watch them again very soon.”
Michaela sighed. “You know I’ll watch them anytime with you.”
After looking her over for a long moment with that all-knowing gaze, her mother said, “Are you all right? You seem—” She pursed her lips as her gaze traveled over Michaela’s face. “A little down?” Her voice rose in a question, as if she couldn’t quite define what she saw.
Michaela had to turn this around. “I’m fine. I missed you, that’s all. I’m not used to having a Saturday night all to myself.” Or with anyone else. It was pathetic. But Flo would know what she meant.
Her mother patted her hand. “I’ll be here next weekend. Walter has only asked me out for Friday night. Saturday night we can binge whatever movies we want.”
Michaela’s stomach sank. She wondered if she’d be able to pick up the pieces of her mother’s heart when Walter Braedon broke it.
It was the thought of her mother’s heart and all its broken pieces that had Michaela calling Troy on Monday morning. She had to nip this thing in the bud. “I have the paperwork ready for the sale of the yacht. Can you come in sometime today to sign?”
“Absolutely.” He sounded a little too excited, and not about the yacht.
But she knew what she had to do. This was just business, and she had to remain businesslike the entire time.
He arrived so quickly she was sure he’d been getting coffee at Santa Cruz 9. Once in her office, he moved on her like he intended to take her into his arms, but she quickly retreated behind her desk, pushing the folder of paperwork toward him. “I put a sticky flag everywhere you need to sign.”
But Troy was having none of it—not the contract and not her businesslike attitude. He rounded the desk, and when she tried to retreat again, she bumped into her chair, sending it rolling into the wall.
Putting up her hands, she said, “Stop.” Then she added the only thing that might get to him. “This is moving way too fast for me.”
With a slow smile, he said, “It’s not moving too fast for me. Haven’t you figured out that I’m in love with you?”
She didn’t just freak out this time. She totally melted down.
Chapter Twenty
Michaela jumped back, grabbed her desk chair, and whipped it around in front of her, using it as a shield.
Maybe he should have insisted they get together yesterday after his meeting. Waiting twenty-four hours had been a mistake. Troy had wanted to give her time to get used to the idea of how fabulous they were in bed and how amazing they could be out of it too.