Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
I shake my head.
“I hope you’re not going all Erin Brockovich on me.”
“No, of course not!” Marnie proclaims. “This is my dad we’re talking about!”
I shake my head.
“But still, I remember seeing those two attorneys on TV with your dad. They looked like sharks.”
It’s true too because Stanley Williams’ two lawyers were gorgeous onscreen. They were older but insanely handsome with silver-streaked hair, square jaws, and penetrating blue eyes. And boy, but those men could fill out a suit! They definitely didn’t look like dudes who pored over legal treatises for hours every day. They looked like modern day Adonises who hit the gym regularly, and ate a strict diet.
Still, I don’t know if this is a good idea. My friend has now been hired by Gibson and Grant, but they don’t know who she really is, and they definitely don’t know that she has a connection to their most infamous client.
Mind your business first, Avalon, the voice in my head whispers. You have massive problems of your own, seeing that you’re about to be a single mom dealing with a ruthless trillionaire.
My conscience is right, and yet I care about my friend and smile tremulously at her through the camera.
“You’re an amazing paralegal, Marns, so I know you’re going to do great at your new job. But be careful, okay? Law firms are notorious as difficult places to work, and I don’t want you getting trampled somehow.”
“Oh, I won’t get trampled,” Marnie says with a sweet smile. “I’ll be totally fine! I’m happy to work overtime, and you know how lawyers are. They’re so handsome and charismatic in those expensive Armani suits.”
I nod because I’ve seen Mr. Gibson and Mr. Grant in the papers, and absolutely, yes. The two men look jaw-droppingly delicious in their perfectly-cut dark suits with their blazing blue eyes and silver-streaked hair. But still, I’m worried.
“Don’t go crazy,” I warn.
“What are you talking about?” Marnie says rolling her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re thinking, Avalon. Seriously.”
“Okay, okay, sorry,” I say with my hands up in a placating gesture. “It’s the pregnancy,” I fib in a light tone. “I think I already have mommy brain from all the junk food I’m consuming day and night.”
Marnie immediately brightens.
“Sounds like mommy brain could be fun then,” she giggles. “Tell me what you’re eating. Cheetos, right? Also, Doritos, Lay’s, and don’t forget Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels. Mmm, the honey mustard ones are sooo good. I’d also throw in pickles on pizza, an entire carton of ice cream, an entire loaf of sourdough—”
“An entire loaf of sourdough?” I squeal with mirth. “I wish!”
“I would eat it,” Marnie says with a sly grin. “I got hooked on sourdough during the pandemic, and the addiction never let up. I eat at least a loaf a week, but because you’re pregnant, you have the perfect excuse to eat an entire loaf in one day!”
We laugh hilariously then as the conversation switches gears. Still, I’m worried about Marns because something just doesn’t seem right about her new job. Still, I need to focus on me, and my own insane situation. As if in reminder, I feel a flutter on my belly and go stock still. Was that the child kicking? Marnie’s jabbering on about peanut butter now, and I take a moment to quietly slip a hand across my belly, out of view of the camera. It’s far too early for the baby to be kicking, much less for me to feel anything, and yet excitement fills my heart because I want to be a mommy to Liam Carrington’s child … even if the billionaire’s forsaken us already.
10
Liam
Oh shit. I know I’ve fucked up, and my nerves are on edge as a result. It’s been about a week since I got home and discovered the positive pregnancy test next to my dinner plate, and since then, everything’s gone from bad to worse. I’m not sure why, either, except I know that Avalon’s moved back to her old apartment, and I’m here to confront her on her motives.
After all, she was living in the lap of luxury at my mansion. I get that not everyone loves having a huge place because you tend to rattle around like loose change when there’s only two of you. Still, life at the estate is comfortable, and although the curvy girl isn’t materialistic at all, she availed herself of the pool, library, and sauna when she was home. So why re-locate to this sagging apartment complex on the other side of town, and especially when she’s pregnant? Avalon was welcome to stay with me, and to have every luxury at her fingertips.
Now I’m here, and I need answers. Grimly, I trudge up the sidewalk towards the complex before mounting the outdoor stairs to the second level. The place looks like a down-on-its-heels motel, with a sagging roof, crumbling concrete, and grayish lawn outside. But I’m here, and I need answers.