Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
“They don’t want me,” Heather mumbles, plodding down the stairs on heavy feet. “They want you, but they don’t want me.”
“We’re a package deal,” I remind her. “This isn’t happening unless we’re both involved. I’m not doing this without you.”
She turns and looks at me through glassy eyes. “Do you really mean that?”
“Yes! Heather, you’re a genius dressmaker, and your eye for detail, textures, and contrasts are immense! I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else but you.”
Not to mention that this girl has been with me through thick and thin. She was there, holding my hand through my darkest days. She never gave up on me. I owe her everything. The reason I’m standing here now is because Heather didn’t give up on me. I’ll never forget that. We’re a team, and no one will change that. No matter how much money they throw this way.
I see her doubts drain from her body, and she launches herself into me. “Thank you.”
I let her squeeze me, smiling. “What are you doing now?”
“Having lunch with my mum. Want to join us?” She releases me and straightens herself out.
I ponder her offer for a few moments, wondering if making Sharp endure that will be awful enough for him to want to quit. “No, but thanks for the offer.” I need something painstaking. Not for me. For Jake. I smile to myself. “Free tonight?”
“You want to go out?”
“I was thinking a girlie night? Wine, maybe a manicure while we eat crap and watch something girlie on TV?” Sharp will hate it. I’ll make sure of it. “We could draft more ideas, too.”
“Love it!”
“Be at mine for six?”
“Fab!” She jumps into the road and flags a taxi. “See ya then!”
I wave my good-bye and turn to see Sharp scowling, but not at me. He’s staring across the road. Wondering what has his acute attention, I follow his line of sight, but all I see are rows of vehicles parked on the street.
“Wait there,” he orders curtly, striding into the road. He’s all tense, coiled and focused.
“Jake, what’s…” My words fade when he breaks out into a light jog. I feel my brow bunch, perplexed. Then I see a white van pull out of a space and take off down the road fast.
Jake’s jog breaks down until he comes to a stop, the van disappearing around a corner. He reaches for his pocket and turns back toward me, pacing over. “White van,” he says down the line. “Didn’t catch the plates or a face. Could be nothing.” He hangs up, and I stare up at him, bemused. “What?” he asks, tucking his phone back in his pocket.
“It was just parked on the street.”
“It made a pretty speedy getaway.”
“So would I if I saw you prowling toward me.” I shake my head and round him, walking off. He’s being paranoid.
I can feel him tracking me as I cross the road toward his Range Rover, but before I have the chance to pick up speed and put a more comfortable distance between us, I spot a familiar face and pull to a sharp stop. Sharp bumps into my back on a curse and I jolt forward. “Watch it!” I snap, tossing a scowl over my shoulder while vehemently ignoring the sizzle of electricity from our contact.
He immediately backs up, his jaw twitching. But his eyes remain on mine. “Sorry.”
I shoot my stare away, locating what had me stuttering to a halt in the first place. “TJ!” I yell, breaking into a run toward my brother.
“Hey, little star!” He laughs as I crash into him, embracing my fierce hug. Funny, the nickname doesn’t annoy me as much when TJ uses it. It’s so good to see him! Our catch-ups are rare, mainly because Dad works him to the bone. Not that TJ is bothered too much by it. He relishes the trust my father puts in him, as well as the responsibility. He’s been nurtured by Father to succeed him in all things where business is concerned, but TJ isn’t nearly as ruthless with it.
“What are you doing around here?”
He peels me off him and gives my cheek a cheeky squeeze. “Just picked up my suit from the dry cleaners.” He holds up a suit bag. “Now I’m heading to meet Dad at his lawyer’s office.”
I’m not surprised. That’s a weekly event for my brother and Dad. “Who’s suing him now?”
“The fucking world!” He laughs. “How’s tricks, kiddo?”
“Fine,” I answer quickly. TJ will know what’s going down. Dad shares everything with him. “Has he got a killing machine tailing you, too?”
He jabs my shoulder lightly, then gets me in a headlock, roughing up my hair. “All right, Miss Funny Knickers.”
“Hey!” I wriggle free, and as soon as I brush some escaped strands of hair from my face, I find I can no longer see my brother.