Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“You’re really annoying,” I tell him, turning to walk out of the house.
“You don’t need to pack pjs,” he says and winks at me. “You have lots of mosquito bites I need to make sure are okay.” I shake my head and close the door, and when I do, I look up and laugh. He’s everything I thought he would be and more.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Luca
“There you are.” I hear Leonard say from the doorway to my office.
“Here I am,” I say. Looking at the clock, I see it’s almost time for me to leave to go and get Aiden. It’s been five days since they ‘moved in’ with me, and we are like a well-oiled machine. I drive him to school every day, and then she picks him up. We prepare dinner side by side, and at night, after he’s been sleeping for an hour and a half and it’s safe, we get lost in each other. I thought sex with her seven years ago was the best I’ve ever had. I was wrong. It’s just so much fucking better, and I’m ready to take it to the next step. “I don’t have much time,” I tell him. “Eli has to work a bit later than normal, so I have to pick up Aiden.”
He nods his head at me. “I heard.”
I lean back in my chair. “What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to have a chat,” he says, coming in and closing the door behind him. I sit up, crossing my hands on the desk.
“This sounds like a serious chat.” My thumb starts to hit the desk nervously.
“It’s as serious as it comes,” he starts. “What are your plans with Eli?”
“You’re going to have to be a bit more specific with that question.” Now my leg starts to shake.
“It’s pretty to the point. What are your plans with my daughter?”
“For tonight?” I ask him, and he just looks at me. “If you have to ask me about what my plans are for the future, I have to say you haven’t been paying attention then.” He just stares at me. “She’s going to be my wife.”
“Is that so?” he says, and now a smile fills his face.
“That’s a fact,” I tell him.
“Does she know this?” He raises his eyebrows, and I could swear his eyes twinkle.
“Not in those words exactly,” I tell him, and he laughs now, and the weight that I had on my shoulders is suddenly lead. “I’m trying to get her to agree to officially move in with me, and then I’m going to throw down the marriage card.”
“What if she says no?” he says. and my stomach drops.
“Do you know something I don’t know, Leonard?” I ask him and try not to get up and pace the room. He’s the best poker player at the table, and I have to make sure he isn’t bluffing.
“I’m just wondering what you are going to do if she says no.” He leans back, and I can see he’s trying to poke at me.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure she wears my ring,” I tell him. “Even if I have to throw her over my shoulder and drag her there.”
He laughs now, and I wish I could tell him that I am joking, but I’m not. “That’s what I thought.” He gets up now. “Not that you need it, but you have my blessing.”
“Good to know,” I say, and my phone buzzes to let me know it’s time to leave. “Now I have to go get my son. I’m planning on taking him for ice cream and then going home and making dinner.” I unroll my shirt and then slip my jacket on. “See you on Sunday,” I tell him and then walk out, seeing that Lauren is already gone.
When I pull up to the school, I get out of my car and walk to the school yard, my phone beeping in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see it’s from Eli.
Eli: Text me when you’re on the way home.
Me: Will do.
I put the phone back into my pocket when the sound of the bell rings. Children fly out of the door, running to their parents. I look for Aiden, who comes flying out of the door. His white shirt looks like he rolled around in the grass. His pants also have dirt all over them. “Dad,” he says, coming to me, “I played baseball.”
“Did you?” I say, bending to kiss his cheek. “How did you get so dirty?”
“I slid into home base,” he says, grabbing my hand as we walk to my car. “I didn’t have to, but it was fun,” he says, and I shake my head. “Can we have spaghetti for dinner?” he asks, and I nod my head.
“I think I can work that out,” I tell him, helping him in the car and buckling him in. “What do you say we get some ice cream before we head home?” His eyes go big, and he smiles, nodding. We sit on the bench, and I try to keep up with the leaking ice cream, but I’m afraid it’s a losing battle. By the time he finally finishes it, it’s leaked everywhere. We visit the bathroom where I attempt to clean his hands and mouth, but nothing can clean his pants.