Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
He shakes his head. “I’d prefer it if you stayed at home to take care of Lainey. I don’t want her routine changing too much.”
“Okay.” I give him a confused look because I’m not sure I’m following.
He pulls his wallet out of his pocket, and after removing a credit card, he places it on the island. “This is for you.”
“What?” I gasp, my gaze flicking between the black card and Easton’s face.
“The credit card is yours to use for anything you and Lainey need.” When I keep staring at him, he gives me a pleading look. “Please let me take care of you.”
Oh my God.
“Easton,” I breathe his name like a prayer. “I can’t let you do that. What will people think?”
“I don’t give a shit about what other people think. I promised Rachel I would take care of you, and I have every intention of keeping that promise.”
My heartbeat speeds up as I move closer to the island, and when I see the name Easton Rowe printed on it, my stomach flutters.
“Please, Nova.” Placing his hand on my lower back, he leans down to catch my eyes. “Take the card.” I reach for the credit card, and when I pick it up, he presses a kiss to the side of my head and murmurs, “Thank you.”
“I’m the one who should say thank you,” I mutter. “You already do so much for me.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “You can thank me by actually using the card. There’s no limit on it.”
My forehead wrinkles with a frown. “I need a limit.”
“Let’s make it twenty thousand. Once you get used to it, we can up it.”
My eyes widen again, and I almost choke on a random drop of spit. “That’s too much!”
He shakes his head. “You’re Lainey’s guardian, and soon, everyone will know you’re living with me. I understand it’s going to take some time for you to adjust to this new life, but trust me when I say twenty thousand is nothing in my world.”
Holy crap. I’ll never be able to spend so much money in a month.
My cheeks grow warm, and I struggle not to smile because never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d live in the same house as Easton and have him take care of me. It feels like we’re becoming a family.
Giving him a grateful look, I stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his jaw before saying, “Thank you so much, Easton. I have no words to describe how much I appreciate everything you do for me.”
“It’s just money, Nova. You do so much more for us.” He shrugs, and a sad expression creeps into his eyes. “Besides, Rachel was right, you deserve the world.”
My heart clenches painfully in my chest, and a wave of sorrow rolls over me.
Lainey and Porsha come flying down the stairs wearing their swimsuits. “We’re going to swim.”
The girls don’t even stop and run out of the house, and the next second, we hear splashes as they jump into the pool.
“I’ll keep an eye on them,” I say.
“You can’t swim, so you won’t be of much help to them.” Easton chuckles, then adds, “Let’s sit outside. It’s a nice day, and I can do with a relaxing afternoon after the interview.”
When we take a seat on the lounge chairs, I watch as the girls pretend they’re mermaids.
My thoughts turn to the past month and how my life has completely changed.
I’m too scared to believe that things will stay like this forever. Rachel’s death has taught me that life can flip on you at the drop of a hat.
But right now, I have Easton and Lainey, and until things change, I’m going to appreciate every day I have with them.
Chapter 21
Nova
Lying alone in my bed after sharing it with Easton and Lainey for the past few days, it’s hard for me to fall asleep.
I’m glad Lainey’s spending time with her best friend, but I miss being sandwiched between her and Easton.
I miss feeling his arms around me, and I’m scared the nightmares will return. Especially after the panic attack I had earlier.
Sighing, I climb out of bed and sneak into the hallway. I tiptoe down the stairs so I don’t wake anyone else. The house is so quiet it makes me feel a little on edge. After I take a seat on one of the couches, I pull my legs up to my chest and rest my chin on my knees.
I wish you were still here, Rach. Everything feels empty without you.
A breath quivers over my lips, and I don’t bother wiping away the tear that escapes.
Easton said I could stay, but I can’t help wondering what would be best for Lainey in the long run. We can’t live like this forever, and at some point, he might meet someone and get married.