Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Hi, Jules,” he says, shaking my hand. I’ve met Billie’s husband several times, and he’s always been nothing but kind to me. His Irish accent is also incredibly swoony. “I’m sorry about this mess.”
“Yeah, me too. Unfortunately, I can’t make your wrap for you today.”
Whenever Connor stops by to see his wife at her bookshop, he always swings in here for lunch.
His lips tip up in a half smile. “I figured. Actually, I was here earlier before you got here. I have a team ready to come in and clean out the rest of the damage, and then start repairing everything right away.”
I stare at him in shock. “What?”
“If you’d like it to look exactly the same as before, they can do that, or they can switch up anything that you’d like.”
Brooks drags his hand down my spine, and I have to lean into his side because I might fall over.
“I’m sorry, I think my brain is coffee-deprived. Connor, that’s very generous, but I can’t afford—”
“I didn’t ask you to pay me,” he says simply.
Frowning, I nibble my lower lip. “Actually, I could afford it,” I finally admit. “I just didn’t want to touch the money that my asshole of a late husband left me.”
“Money isn’t personal.” Connor shrugs. “It doesn’t care if it sits untouched in an account, or if you spend it all in one go. It’s not the arsehole who mistreated you, Jules. But it’s your choice. If you’d rather not use that money, I’ll front it.”
“I can’t ask you to do that and not pay you back.”
“Do you want a silent partner?” he counters, and I recoil as if he hit me.
“No offense, but no. I don’t.”
Connor’s smile spreads over his face. “I can’t blame you. I wouldn’t either. You’re a smart businesswoman. Here’s the thing, Jules: my wife, whom I’m completely in love and obsessed with, adores you and this restaurant. She wants to make sure you succeed. Her family”—he gestures to Brooks—“who is now my family, cares about you, and we take care of our own. You don’t have to deal with any of this by yourself.”
I will not cry in front of these men.
Brooks kisses the top of my head, and I take a shuddering breath.
“I haven’t asked for or accepted help from anyone in a very long time,” I admit quietly. “I’m not sure I know how.”
“Maybe this is a good time to start,” Brooks murmurs.
Meeting Connor’s gaze, I nod but reach out to lay my hand on his arm.
Brooks growls low in his throat, but I ignore him.
“I will gratefully accept your help,” I tell him. “But I would like for us to come to an agreement for how I can return the favor. Somehow, free chicken wraps for life doesn’t feel like it’ll cut it.”
Connor smirks. “We’ll talk about it later. The first order of business is to get this cleaned up and restored so you can open your doors again.”
“I know my staff would love that, too,” I agree.
“Then let’s make it happen.”
Chapter Fourteen
BROOKS
It’s been a long fucking day.
Long.
Fucking.
Day.
And I’m ready to call it, take my wildfire home, and lose myself in her for the rest of the night. The fact that I even get to do that is still completely foreign to me.
I’m so fucking proud of her.
She didn’t leave and let the guys handle the heavy lifting today. No, my girl put on a mask, some gloves, and worked her gorgeous ass off right next to the rest of us. And when the floor was all gone, she jumped in to sweep and make decisions. She consulted with Connor and his construction foreman, devising a plan.
She fucking blew my mind.
But now everyone has cleared out. My brothers have gone home to their women, and Connor has collected Bee from across the street and taken her home as well.
The crew is gone.
Now it’s time for me to do the same with Jules.
“Let’s hang it up for tonight,” I say as I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her chest, hugging her to me. “I need to feed you, and we should get some rest.”
I lower my mouth to her ear. She’s so fucking short, I have to almost bend in half.
Worth it.
“After I sink inside you for about twelve hours.”
Jules huffs out a laugh and turns in my arms.
“All of that sounds like fun, but there’s something else I want first.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Name it.”
“I’d like a ride on your bike over to Silver Springs so we can get ice cream at Sundae’s.”
“That’s what you want?”
Jules grins and nods, and I can’t help but kiss her forehead.
“Let’s do it, then. I’ll meet you at my place.”
I wait for Jules to lock the door, watching as she checks the lock three times, and walk her to her car. Once she’s on her way, I follow her in my truck.