Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
"Avery, wait!" Kennedy Adams said, her high heels clicking on the tile floor as she crossed the office toward him before he could get out the front door.
"I don't want you to try and talk me out of this." Avery rolled his eyes as he pivoted to face her.
"Son, this is a big step you're taking. Are you certain of everything you're doing right now?" she asked, coming to stand right in front of him. She was a tall woman, but he still had to lower his head to make eye contact. She looked like a worried mother, not the strong-willed business woman she had become.
"I am reasonably certain of what I'm doing," he said. She didn't look pacified by his response.
"And does this man know what you're giving up? He's good with this decision?" she asked, and Avery just stared down at her. Damn, she was good. She knew exactly the right questions to ask.
"No, he doesn't, and no, he wouldn't like me doing this. Mother, I need you to trust me on this. I know what I'm doing. I love him, and even if he isn't there with me yet, I want to give us the chance. Please go back in there and smooth those ruffled feathers. Have Janice cover the cost of their trip," Avery said. As he spoke, he reached out and took both her arms in his hands, drawing her close to him. He kissed her on the forehead before turning his searching gaze back to her. "I need to go. I'll see you back at the hotel in a little while. I'd like you to meet him, if it's not asking too much right now."
"Of course, I want to meet him," Kennedy said.
"Thank you." Avery didn't say another word. He took off out the front door. He had preparations to make and little time to do it in.
* * * *
The restaurant was packed solid. Every table was full and the waiting area was standing room only, with guests trickling outside on the front porch for a place to stand. This might just turn out to be the best Sunday night in La Bella Luna history. Kane worked feverishly to maintain the pace. As long as everything fell into place, he was sure they could pull this off.
Maybe all this positive attitude he was sporting had to do with the giant smile that never seemed to leave his face and the incredible sense of love radiating through his heart. It had only been a short time since he had started seeing Avery, yet everything about Kane was a changed man. They were the best days of his entire life.
"Kane, they're ten minutes behind in the kitchen," Rodney said, standing beside him as he ran a charge through for a client.
"Have they asked for help yet?" Kane asked, never looking up from his task.
"Not yet, but I think you need to get in there. Paulie's yelling at them all," Rodney said quietly as they stood together in the packed lobby. Kane nodded, finished with the charge, and wound his way around the tables until he dropped off the credit card and thanked everyone at the party for coming that evening. He kept his super calm composure in place, making his way to the kitchen. He barely got inside the first set of doors before Paulie let out a string of curse words to rival any sailor on a dock. Paulie had been that sailor back in the day.
"Kane, we need a bottle of Merlot, or whatever you suggest, for table twenty-one," one of his waiters said. Kane nodded as he stuck his head in the kitchen. It took a second for Paulie to see him. Every person in the kitchen was bent over their stations, working as feverishly as they could in hopes of not being targeted by Paulie's wrath.
"What are you grinning about? I got this under control," Paulie barked at him. Kane just nodded, still grinning.
"I got the wine, you're needed up front," Rodney said, shooting past him toward the wine cellar. Kane changed direction and went back the way he'd come.
He was deep in thought and bent over the hostess stand, trying to work out a problem with seating when the light dimmed above him. He glanced up to see who hovered so closely and was surprised to find Avery standing over him.
"I love that smile. Can I see you for a minute?" Avery asked.
"Can it wait? We're busy and behind," Kane started, but Avery looked crestfallen, and he immediately amended what he said. "Can you wait for me by the bar or back in the kitchen. Paulie won't yell so loudly with you in there."
"Sure, which one," Avery asked and reached out, taking Kane's hand, giving him a small squeeze. The gesture was sweet, but out of place, confusing him that much more.
"Would my office be better?" Kane questioned, and he could feel his smile faltering. Avery showing up during the height of business hours, reaching out, gripping his hand…Kane had sat through too many grieving church services. The hand squeeze was the universal signal for things are bad, and I'm so sorry. The smile completely faded as panic filled his heart.
"Your office. Come back when you can," Avery said, leaving as quickly as he'd come.
Kane worked to tie up his loose ends as dread took hold. The hopefulness of a few minutes ago fled, desperation filling its place. Kane had tried with Avery. He had broken out of his normal routines, opened himself up more than ever before. He tried hard to be the man worthy of Avery. Where had he gone wrong?
He'd left the restaurant on the busiest night of the week and gone out dancing. He'd had sex in a public place. Maybe that was it? No. Avery wanted that, right? Thoughts of Brian trickled in. If he couldn't keep someone like Brian, how in the world had he ever thought he could have Avery Adams?
Kane stalled for as long as he could. He didn't want to head back to his office. His blissful night had taken a full nosedive in a matter of thirty seconds. Maybe if he didn't go back to his office, he wouldn't have to hear the words and Avery would just leave. But Avery was a stand-up guy. He'd feel like he had to make it clear, this breakup wasn't Kane's fault, blah, blah, blah. The better plan was to get back to the office, let Avery say whatever he planned to say, and get him moving out the door sooner rather than later.