Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Two days. Two events. A rehearsal dinner and a wedding, and then I’ll be home free.
I haven’t talked to Alec since the flight back from L.A. We’ve exchanged texts twice. The first time he was checking to make sure I was home safely, and the second he asked if I was sure I wanted to go through with this weekend.
I said yes. I didn’t tell him that I received an email from Mrs. McCoy, CEO of The Rage.
It was so lovely to meet you and your fiancé, Alec, at dinner last weekend. You are a lovely couple, and we were most excited about what your beauty paired with Alec’s business expertise could mean for your success with The Rage.
We’d like to invite the two of you to our little vineyard for a weekend this summer to really dig into what your program would look like, what The Rage could do for you, and what you could offer The Rage. My assistant will be in touch with potential dates so we can find a weekend that works for everyone.
My beauty. That’s what she thinks would make me successful in a partnership with them. And Alec’s business expertise, as if I have none.
The idea of asking Alec to do anything more for me after last weekend was already making me sick, but it turns out that I don’t need to ask him at all. I don’t have the kind of reach I want to teach women about strength training, but I can build that. And if I don’t? At least I’ll never have to deliver my message on someone else’s terms.
I replied, declining the invitation and thanking her for her time. Pressing send left me equal parts relieved and sad. I’ve been dreaming of this opportunity for years. I suppose the grief that comes with letting it go shouldn’t take me by surprise.
Thunder rolls in the distance, and I take a few more deep breaths of the fresh mountain air, mentally preparing myself to meet Alec’s family.
Tonight’s rehearsal dinner is at Bella’s Café, and I chose a black, strapless sheath dress for the occasion. It’s elegant without calling any attention to itself, but if I stand out here any longer, it’ll be ruined.
I climb back in my car, slide my key into the ignition, and turn it, but the car doesn’t start.
“Shit.”
Again. Nothing.
So much for my promise to not be late. There’s no way I can make it on time now. I should’ve let Alec pick me up, but I told him I’d meet him there, knowing I’d need the time to collect myself.
I give my car once last chance. “Don’t let me down.”
Nothing.
“Shit.”
I don’t know much about cars, but I know enough to know mine is a grade-A POS. I just don’t care enough to put my limited funds toward the thing that gets me from my apartment to work. If it clicks but doesn’t start, I think that means the starter is out. Or is it the battery?
Shit, shit, shit.
I don’t remember. Not that it matters. It’s not like I have either of those parts handy—or like I would know what to do with them if I did.
I grab my phone and call Alec.
“Alec’s phone, this is Rose!” a perky voice answers.
“Rose! I’m so sorry. Is Alec available?”
“He’s at The Patio helping Jared tear down the arbor we set up for the ceremony. We’re afraid it won’t survive the storm.”
“So he doesn’t have his phone?” Okay. Dumb question.
“He forgot it, but I can call Jared and get him a message.”
I cringe. “I’m at the scenic pull-off on Hunter Drive—he’ll know where it is. Can you let him know my car won’t start and I need a ride?”
“No problem at all. Are you okay?”
Thunder booms again—louder now—and shakes the car. “Yeah. I’m in my car. I’ll be fine until he can get here.”
“I don’t like you being out there,” Rose says. “We’ve been watching the weather, and it says these are ideal conditions for a tornado.”
“I’m fine. This time of year, any storm comes with a warning like that. Just the local news making drama so we tune in.”
A flash of lightning illuminates the cloud-covered sky.
“Someone will be there as soon as possible,” Rose says. “I’m on it.”
She hangs up before I can beg her not to send anyone but Alec. If I have to sit next to her mother on the drive downtown, I might shrivel under the weight of Cheryl’s judging stare.
Less than ten minutes later, a black Explorer with tinted windows pulls into the spot beside me at the overlook and honks its horn.
I get out of my car and quickly open the passenger door of the Explorer, only to freeze at the sight of the dark-headed man waiting in the driver’s seat.
My breath catches, and my mouth goes dry at the sight of Oliver. He’s dressed in pressed black slacks and a white button-up shirt and tie. He’s loosened the tie and unbuttoned the top button, and rolled the crisp white sleeves to his elbows to expose muscular forearms and a tree-of-life tattoo. He’s a far cry from the rough, dangerous-looking guy I knew in college, but the rebel-in-a-suit-and-tie vibe works on him.