Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“So, tell the agency you need someone older,” Dani points out.
“I have. They don’t have anyone available. I’m on a waiting list.”
“Fine.” She drops her hand onto her hip. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t go to the Bahamas for Kane and Bri’s wedding.”
“I already saw them get married,” I say dryly. “White dress, black tux. Vows exchanged. Everyone got drunk. Been there, done that. Once was enough.”
Matteo snorts, and Dani glares. I simply shrug because I’m not wrong. Sure, the first wedding was forced—when Kane came into town, declaring he was Joseph’s secret son, who took over the business after his father died and was on a mission to avenge his father’s death. Unlike Enrique, he was smart about it and blackmailed us into letting him in on the waterfront expansion deal—which, thankfully, despite Leysa’s best efforts, is coming along nicely.
But quickly, Kane proved to be a formidable ally instead of an enemy. He fell in love with Bri, and they’re expecting their first baby—a little girl—in November.
Wanting to give Bri everything, Kane has planned the wedding of her dreams in the Bahamas since she loves the beach. Why they can’t get married on the beach here—I mean, they literally live on the beach—I have no clue.
“You need to stop this shit,” Dani accuses. “Hillary fucked you over. It sucks. But she was a nasty bitch, and one bad seed shouldn’t spoil the bunch.”
“In case you forgot, I’m a single dad because the bitch tried to steal from me and then signed over her rights so she wouldn’t go to jail. I’m focusing on being a dad to Leo. That’s my priority.”
“And you’re a damn good dad,” Dani says, her voice softer. “But you deserve a little break. I spoke to our nannies, Clarise and Daria, and they don’t mind keeping Leo as well. We’ll, of course, pay them extra, but two of them can handle our two babies.”
“You know she’s not going to stop until you give in,” Matteo points out.
“Remember when you were my best friend?” I grumble.
“And I still am.” He shrugs. “But now I’m Dani’s husband, and since she gives me—”
“Nope!” I bark, sticking my fingers in my ears like a petulant child. “Don’t you finish that sentence.”
Since my best friend and sister have gotten together, I’ve walked in on them having sex too many times to count, and while I’m happy they’ve found love, I don’t want to see it or hear about it.
“Okay, I’ll go,” I agree.
“Yay!” Dani hugs me. “We’re going to have the best time.”
Famous last words …
3
Vanessa
“Nicole, this is seriously the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.” I inhale the scent of strawberries mixed with espresso and then take another slow sip, the sweet cream on top tickling the tip of my nose. “You should forget this boring small town and move your coffee shop to a city that will fully appreciate it, like Seattle.”
“Hey!” Bri glares at me playfully. “Don’t be trying to steal my best friend from me.”
Nicole shakes her head and laughs. “As much as I miss you when you’re across the country, I kind of love it here.”
“Whatever.” I sigh. “Maybe I’ll open my own coffee-and-book shop in Seattle.”
Nicole looks at me, and we both laugh.
“Just kidding. We both know I can’t make a cup of drinkable coffee to save my life, and I’d rather sew and watch trashy TV than read.”
Thanks to my mother not having a single domestic bone in her body, I never learned to do the basic things like cook and clean. And then I was sent to boarding school, where everything was done for me, and now I’m in college, where I live in an apartment-style dorm since it’s the cheapest option. While my scholarship covers my tuition and meal plan, I have to pay for my books and dorm myself.
My roommate and I share a small living space that includes a living room and kitchen with a tiny eating area. There’s a stove, fridge, and microwave, but with me double majoring and taking eighteen credits a semester and working part-time at the local pub, plus making custom clothing orders, I barely have time to breathe, let alone learn how to properly cook. Thank goodness for the school cafeteria and the free meals at the pub I work at. But I’m doing my thing and following my dreams, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Speaking of which, how’s school going?” Nicole asks, pulling out a chair and joining Bri and me.
When I arrived in Harbor Point last week for a visit before school started back up—at my mother’s insistence—I was dreading being stuck with her and her husband in their gaudy, over-the-top mansion the entire time. But with Nicole opening her own coffee-and-book shop, Lattes and Words, it gave me a reason to get out of the house. Even if my miserable excuse of a stepfather wasn’t pleased since he didn’t support Nicole going this route versus using the law degree he’d paid for.