Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Now, I’m rushing around, trying to get ready. I take one last look in the mirror before swiping my wallet, room key, and phone from the dresser and heading out the door. I freeze when I open the door to find Landry standing against the wall. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his legs are crossed at the ankles.
He’s casual and sexy, and I immediately shut that thought down. I’ve traveled the road of dating a professional athlete, and it’s not one I care to be on ever again. No matter how sexy, silly, and charming he might be.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, eyebrows raised.
He shrugs. “Thought I’d walk you to breakfast.”
“You do realize that if we show up together, everyone will think you never left me last night.”
He gives me a wolfish grin. “We can run with that,” he says, wagging his eyebrows.
Before I can reply, my phone rings. “Hello,” I answer.
“Hey, are you coming down to breakfast?” Corie asks.
“Yeah, I overslept. I’m on my way.”
“Okay, well, you might pass Landry on the way. I sent him to check on you, but I got tired of waiting and called too.” She laughs.
“I’m fine. Landry was outside my door in the hallway when I stepped out. We’re on our way.”
“Great.” The call goes silent, and I glare at Landry.
“You knew they wouldn’t think that.” I lock my hands on my hips.
“I did, but it was fun to see you squirm.” He winks and offers me his arm. I hesitate to slip mine through his. “I don’t bite, Roe.”
“You sure about that?” I ask, keeping my tone light. This situation doesn’t feel light, though. I’ve fallen for the charming act before and know how that story ends.
“Positive. Besides, you’re my sister’s friend. She’d never forgive me.” He winks.
With a heavy exhale, I slip my arm through his, and he leads us toward the elevator. Once inside, I step away, needing some distance. I know all too well how men can be charismatic and sweep you off your feet, only to barrel into mental, physical, and emotional abuse. I’ve learned my lesson, and I need distance right now.
Landry is quiet as he stands beside me, and we watch the numbers descend. When the doors slide open, I step out and turn toward the private room Corie and Knox reserved for all of our meals. Everyone is already there, and there are two vacant seats next to each other. I fill one, and Landry fills the other.
“Dig in,” Knox tells us. “My wife wants to spend the day on the beach.”
“My sister can wait,” Landry says with a chuckle.
“Happy wife, happy life, brother,” Knox quips, leaning over to kiss Corie’s temple.
A chorus of “Good man” and “Damn right” ring out among the married men at the table.
Landry and I fill our plates from the buffet-style breakfast and dig in. Chatter happens all around me. I listen as everyone talks and laughs. Once upon a time, I thought this would be my life—close friends to call my family and a man who I thought would be my forever. I was so very wrong.
I’ve never seen this kind of loving relationship. I’ve never witnessed the type of love that Knox and Corie share, or even that of Knox’s parents and his aunts and uncles. I thought I once knew, but a little time is all it took for that dream to come crashing to a halt.
“Ladies, are we tanning today?” Sloane asks. “I’m still exhausted. I don’t think I have the energy for much more than that.”
“You?” Corie asks. “I didn’t—” she starts, but Landry interrupts her.
He covers his ears and says, “La la la la la,” and everyone laughs. I turn just in time to see him wink at his sister.
I’ve always wanted a sibling. These two complement each other so well. The same goes for Knox and his sisters, Emma and Everly. I’ve never been able to experience it, but being with them has shown me that love and respect exist not only in relationships but also in families.
“Tanning sounds good to me. Rowan?” Corie asks.
“Considering I didn’t sleep well last night, that sounds perfect.”
“I know why I didn’t sleep. Why didn’t the two of you?” Corie asks, wagging her eyebrows.
“Listen, bestie. Just because you’re all loved up and losing sleep because of… activities, doesn’t mean the rest of us are,” Sloane tells her. “I slept just fine, just not long enough. I still have some alcohol that needs to be slept off.” She sticks her tongue out at Corie, making a silly face, and the two laugh.
I smile at their antics.
“What about you?” Corie asks me.
“Just had trouble falling asleep.” What I don’t say is that I don’t sleep well anymore. Not when I’m always worried about when the other shoe will drop. I know that I got away from him, but when you live two years of your life on pins and needles, a good, deep sleep is hard to come by. Time is all I need. I know that the scars he caused will fade in time, but they will always be there. I don’t know if I’ll ever trust another man enough to get that close to me again.