Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 23667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
She smiles softly, pleased. “I don’t need to be here for the meeting. I just want to be a part of all this. I want you to talk to me.”
I hug her to me. “God, this feels good.” I lean back and look her in the face. “You don’t have to go.”
She rubs my chest. “I’m going to the apartment, and then I’m supposed to meet Luna for dinner.”
I love that she calls it her apartment because it would kill me if she called it home. I want her to move home, but I keep telling myself that if I’m patient, she’ll eventually come back.
I kiss her again and pull away when I hear footsteps in the hallway. “I love you, Ellie.”
She slides her hand up my chest and around my neck, pulling me down for another kiss. “I love you too, Bobby.”
We’re still embracing when there’s a knock on the door and all the guys come in.
The mood is already set for the meeting, but Bennett, Cole, and Knox all hug Ellie before she leaves. With one last glance at me, she waves goodbye. I wish I could follow her, but there’s work to be done. At least she’s agreed to keep Paul with her.
CHAPTER 9
ELEANOR
Luna pushes her plate away and leans back in the booth with a contented sigh. “Okay, I’m officially stuffed.”
I laugh softly and take another sip of wine. “You say that every time and then somehow still order dessert.”
“That’s because dessert doesn’t count,” she says seriously.
I shake my head, smiling.
It’s nice being here with her. For so long, I’ve been surrounded by the men of the family.
The restaurant around us buzzes with conversation, but my thoughts keep drifting to Bobby, to the house and to the meeting I skipped out on. Today when we were together, it reminded me of our early days, and my chest tightens just thinking about it.
Luna studies me from across the table. “You miss him.”
I blink, surprised. “Is it that obvious?”
She gives me a look. “Eleanor. That man watches you like you hung the moon. You are the same way with him.”
Heat creeps up my cheeks.
“He’s trying,” I admit quietly.
Luna smiles softly. “I know.”
I trace my fingertip around the rim of my wine glass. “The thing is… our marriage isn’t perfect.”
“None of them are.”
I nod slowly. “I know that logically. But when you’re living it…” I shrug helplessly. “Things just started piling up. One hurt after another, and before I realized it, I felt lonely in my own marriage.”
Luna’s expression softens, and I force out a laugh. “God, I’m the one that’s been married thirty-five years. I should be giving you advice and not scaring you away from our family and what it can do to a relationship.”
She leans toward me. “I’m not scared. I know people aren’t perfect. I’m far from it, and so is Cole, even though he seems to think otherwise sometimes.” She laughs and pops her shoulders. “But I love him, and we’ll work it out. Just like you and Robert will.”
“I do miss him,” I whisper. “God, I miss him. I miss home. I miss waking up beside him. I miss him yelling at everyone during dinner.” I laugh softly. “I even miss the ridiculous security.”
Luna grins and points at the men in suits at the next table that look totally out of place. “Okay, now I know you’re emotional because nobody could miss that.”
I laugh harder this time.
Then I sigh and look out the restaurant window. “I think I want to go home.”
As soon as I say the words, a weight lifts off me.
Luna reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Then go home.”
Emotion clogs my throat. “I’m scared things will just go back to the way they were.”
“They won’t,” she says confidently.
“How do you know?”
She doesn’t even hesitate. “Because Robert Kingston would probably burn down the whole city before letting you walk out again.”
I burst out laughing because honestly, she’s probably right. This has been rough for both of us.
She checks her phone and then glances at me. “Want me to go with you to get your things?”
I hesitate for all of two seconds. “Actually… yes.”
“Good.” She stands up.
I wait for second thoughts or something to stop me, but all I feel is calm. This is the right decision, and it’s time for me to go home.
Twenty minutes later, Luna’s SUV pulls up outside my apartment building.
Her security detail climbs out first and instantly scans the street.
I used to hate all this, but now after being up close and personal with Victor Sterling, I’m thinking I can get used to it. It does make me feel a little safer.
Paul is standing by the front door of the apartment building, surveying the parking lot.
Luna follows me up the stairs and wrinkles her nose. “Okay, no offense, but I’m very excited for you to stop living here.”