Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
So did Alex.
I stopped in front of the window, staring at the Boston skyline bathed in twilight. Alex would love it. Had I ever taken the time to bring him here and show him the view? It was hands down one of the best in the city, and I’d never shared it with him.
My opinion of myself dropped another dozen notches.
As I turned away, unable to enjoy the beauty while in this mood, I inhaled, but the air lodged in my throat. I tried again to no avail, then again, but each time I sucked in, my breath caught, unable to fill my lungs in the way they demanded.
Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes as I continued to struggle to breathe. Loud, high-pitched gasps filled the empty room. The sounds would have drawn my assistant and anyone else on my floor, had it not been after hours. My staff had already departed for the day and would be home with their families or out with friends as they should be.
As I should be.
My back hit the window I’d been gazing out of only seconds before. No longer could I contain the tears. They trailed down my face unincumbered as I fought to breathe. Black spots danced across my vision. I needed to sit before I fell, but my brain no longer had control over my limbs. All I could do was lean against the wall of windows and fight against the darkness. I had no idea how long I struggled alone in my office, but it felt like an eternity battling dizziness and dread. What the hell was happening to me?
And then my body decided for me. My legs buckled, and I sank to the floor in a controlled descent, thanks to the window at my back. My ass hit the floor with a light thud, and I curled my arms around my bent legs, rested my head against my knees, and sobbed over the disaster I’d made of my life.
CHAPTER THREE
ALEX
“I say this with as much love and as little revulsion as I can muster,” Trevor said, assessing me with a wrinkled nose. “You look like absolute shit.”
I grunted. “Absolute shit? Really? That’s as much love as you can muster?”
Trevor nodded. “Yes, my friend, it really is. Trust me when I tell you I’m holding back.” As always, Trevor looked polished enough to meet royalty and impress them. He wore a pale blue button-up, lightweight white pants cuffed at the ankles, and crisp white sneakers that looked fresh out of the box. My best friend loved nothing more than to dress on theme, and for today’s picnic in the park, he’d gone with a summer-chic motif, according to him. That wasn’t a phrase I’d ever utter on my own.
“Gee, thanks.” I couldn’t muster my typical snark or witty quip in response. My entire body felt heavy, and my brain was functioning more slowly than usual. I’d come within one text of canceling this lunch. The only reason I hadn’t was the fear of an enraged Trevor. The guy was like a damn chihuahua when you pissed him off. He’d bite my ankles and yap at me until my ears bled.
“I’m serious. It’s a good thing there aren’t any children around. You’d scar them for life with your unshaven face and grumpy-ass scowl. Not to mention your wrinkled clothes. Have you heard of folding? Or an iron?”
“Who irons T-shirts?”
Trevor’s face scrunched in adorable indignation. “Uh, I do. So I don’t look like this,” he said, waving a hand in my direction.
I’d be more offended if he weren’t right. I looked like garbage. But as bad as I looked, I felt a hundred times worse.
“So what gives?” Trevor rose on his knees and opened the massive picnic basket he’d brought. When he committed to a project, he went all the way. He’d invited me to a picnic, so an authentic picnic is what I’d be getting, complete with a red and white checkered blanket.
“What did you bring?” I asked as he began unloading container after container.
He narrowed his eyes at me in the universal don’t-think-you’re-getting-out-of-the-question glare. “I picked up a bunch of salads and snacky foods from that new gourmet grocery store near me, Terra Market.”
“Shit, Trev,” I said as I opened a container, and the delicious aroma of pesto invaded my senses. “I was expecting trail mix and a turkey sandwich.” I hadn’t been, but Trevor was fun to tease.
“As if,” he said with a delicate snort. “Don’t think you can distract me with your uncultured ways.”
I chuckled. “You’re still going to make me talk, huh?”
“Sure am.” He popped an olive in his mouth and sighed. “Yum. The only thing that would make this better is a filthy martini.”
“It’s noon. And Monday.”
One of his well-groomed eyebrows arched high into his forehead. “You saying you’d turn down a drink if I offered one to you right about now?”