Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
She shakes her head. “I took a test. It said it reads as early as two weeks.”
“You need to go to a doctor.”
Lottie waves me off. “I will when I’m home.”
I pull out my cell, and her hand stops me. “Don’t try to find me a doctor. I’ve told you already when I’m home I will deal with it.”
“Do you plan to keep it?”
She slips the money inside the folder to pay the bill, and I immediately give her the money back and put mine inside instead.
“I can pay for myself.” Lottie shakes her head as she starts walking to leave. “And I haven’t decided. A baby is a big deal.” The night air hits us when we exit the café. “Do you want me to keep it?”
“It’s you, so yes.”
She nods, and we come to a standstill. Both of us just standing there staring at each other. “I am sorry about your father and your mother.”
“I’m learning I shouldn’t hold grudges.”
She smiles. It’s soft but I’m pretty sure it’s also forced.
“Especially if this baby’s grandfather is going to be related to you. Family dinners could be awkward.”
“I may never like the man, but I will give him the respect that’s due for you.”
“You talk as if you will be in my life.”
“Baby or no baby, I want you either way.”
She turns and looks down the street, then back to me. “Meet me tomorrow. You can take me on a date to Disneyland.” Then she gets in a cab, and it drives away.
Disneyland?
What the fuck?
CHAPTER 35
LOTTIE
Whiskey messaged me all night. A string of messages I didn’t reply to.
Whiskey: It’s because you make me smile when I didn’t know I needed to.
Whiskey: When you smile, my heart does this stupid pitter-patter I didn’t agree to.
Whiskey: I didn’t love you straight away, I just knew I wanted you.
Whiskey: I’d give it all up for you. I want you to know that.
Whiskey: And I’d still break any mans’ arms or legs if they even think they can take you from me.
A black car pulls up outside my hotel. I told him where I was staying this morning, not commenting on the messages. Whiskey gets out, opens the back door to let me in, then walks around to the other side and slides in beside me. The driver pulls out and I smile, seeing what he has on—sneakers, black jeans, and a white T-shirt.
“You look good.”
His hand rests between us and his fingers are almost touching mine.
“I slept way better.”
“No sickness?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Is this what it’s going to be like now?” I indicate between us. “I don’t know you as this person. Stop trying to tread lightly around me, Whiskey. I liked who you were, apart from the blackmailing, stop with the small talk.” He reaches for my hand, then takes it and squeezes it.
“I’d take you because I want you. You want me like that?”
I smirk. “I like you like that.”
Whiskey leans over and kisses my lips. I don’t know if it’s the news that I’m pregnant or what, but I want those lips on me. I like those lips all over me.
I ask him questions—he answers without hesitation. He tells me more about his mother. How she was beautiful but ultimately how broken she was, and that his father had a big role in raising him until he gave up on life. How the business is now that he’s running it, and how it was crumbling when he took it over. Now it’s a billion-dollar business. Hearing him say those words shock me.
“Do we have a prenup?” I ask him.
“No. I knew I didn’t need one with you.”
“That’s a lot of trust in someone you’ve pissed off. I could have taken you for everything.”
“You aren’t that kind of person. Plus…” He smirks. “I have excellent lawyers.”
I walk into the park. It’s so beautiful, a way to break up the chaos of my life right now. The smell of funnel cakes, crepes and fresh air have a way of cleansing the soul, and that’s what we’re here to do. We need this fresh start.
Whiskey comes around and slides his hand in mine. “I like seeing that.”
I turn to him, and he’s nodding his head at my smile. “I like to smile if the moment deserves it.”
“I like being the one to put it there.”
“Technically, it was a man named Walt, but sure, if you want to try to claim some of that, go ahead,” I say with an eye roll as we walk toward the gates.
“I’ll claim as many as I can.”
Whiskey pays for our tickets, and soon we’re walking in. There’s a street parade, and it takes me back to my childhood. Disney is a huge piece of my life. I even have tattoos on my body of Disney characters.