Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Why were you in my makeup bag?” I mock glare.
“I’m out of finishing spray, so I was borrowing yours.”
“You’re not even going anywhere,” I say with a laugh.
“I don’t need to be going anywhere to put on makeup,” she sasses. “I put on makeup for me, not for anyone else,” she scoffs, making me laugh harder.
God, I love this girl so much.
“Now, back to these.” She waves the sticky notes in the air. “Are you serious about moving in?”
“Yeah, I was planning to surprise him, but then …”
“The accident,” she finishes.
“Yeah.”
And then, after the Jamie drama, Shane had to leave for work. We’ve been texting while he’s been gone—in between the movies Taylor and I have binged and the reading marathon we had last night—but telling him that I want to move in with him in a text message doesn’t feel right.
“Well, what are you waiting for then?” she asks. “These are cute, but if you want to show him that you want to move in, why don’t you just do it?”
“What?”
“You already know my dad and I want you here. So, why don’t you just move in? He’ll like that way more than sticky notes.” She shrugs.
“And you’re definitely okay with that?”
I was little when my mom and dad moved in together, but I still remember when she sat down with me to make sure it was okay. I loved Lachlan, so it wasn’t even a question, but Taylor is older, and having another woman move in, after spending all these years with just having her dad to herself, will be a big change.
“I’m more than okay with it,” she says. “And you won’t have to worry about my mom causing problems. She texted me this morning that she accepted an assignment and took off.”
“I’m sorry.” I extend my arms, and Taylor slides in next to me so I can hug her.
“I hate that she couldn’t stay for me,” she says, laying her head on my shoulder. “But it’s for the best. She’s not made for this kind of life, and it’s better that she left now instead of later.”
She pops her head back up. “So, what do you think? Want to surprise my dad?”
“I don’t know how we’d pull it off. He’s due to get off his shift in the next hour.”
“That’s easy!” She grins. “Just distract him. The guy will go anywhere you go. And while you’re keeping him busy, I can find some friends who will help me move your stuff in. And I know my grandpa will help for sure.”
Her idea is sound, but I’m not sure how I could distract him. And then an idea hits me.
I pull out my phone and send Shane a text.
Can you meet me at Exposed Ink when you get off work?
Shane
Of course. Everything okay?
We had a session scheduled for today, but it wasn’t until later.
Yeah, I have a scheduling conflict, so I need to move our session to earlier.
Shane
Okay, see you soon.
“Done,” I tell Taylor.
“Perfect. Now, give me your key and leave the rest up to me.”
THIRTY-FOUR
Shane
Fuck, it’s been a long couple of days. Usually, I don’t mind being at work, but having to leave after the bullshit drama Jamie tried to cause nearly killed me.
All I wanted was to spend the night with Kinsley, reassuring her that she was all I wanted. But I couldn’t leave my brothers in a lurch. If something had happened and they didn’t have enough guys, I would have had to live with that. So, begrudgingly, I left.
But that didn’t stop me from texting Kinsley damn near every hour. Especially after Taylor relayed what she’d overheard when she was eavesdropping on her mom and Kinsley.
I’ll never forgive Jamie for the shit she spewed, and while she might be Taylor’s mom, after the crap she pulled, she’s no longer welcome in my home, and I told her as much.
All I want is to go home and spend time with Kinsley and my daughter, but going to the shop is the next best thing since it means hanging out with Kinsley and watching her do what she loves.
“Shane,” Lachlan says when I walk in, extending his fist to bump mine. “How’s it going?”
“Good,” I tell him, glancing around to make sure Kinsley isn’t near us. “I need to speak to you, but not here. Could we meet up for a drink one day this week?”
After nearly losing my daughter, I’m reminded of how delicate life is, and I’m done wasting time with Kinsley. I love her, and I want her in my home, in my life, as my wife.
Lachlan stares at me for several seconds before a knowing grin spreads across his face. “We can meet up for a drink anytime you want.” He leans in so nobody else can hear his next words. “But if you’re going to ask me for permission to marry my daughter, you already got it.”