Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Give her until tomorrow.
Getting up, I open my luggage and pull out a pair of sweatpants. I head to the shower with my toiletry bag, and after freshening up, I throw the covers back on the bed and lie down.
I stare up at the ceiling, my thoughts filled with everything Lily and I shared over the past month.
There’s a relentless ache in my heart every time I think about the possibility that I might lose her.
Did she even listen to my voicemails? Did she hear me telling her I love her?
I love her.
Panic bleeds into my chest, and closing my eyes, I start counting back from one hundred.
I refuse to lose Lily. I just have to get through these two weeks, and when I’m back in New York, I’ll go to Lily’s place so we can talk face-to-face.
That’s if she doesn’t take my calls.
Jesus, what a fuck up.
Lily
Standing outside my parents’ house, my stomach is spinning violently with nerves.
Just get this over with.
Sucking in a fortifying breath, I lift my chin before knocking on the door.
When my mother opens, her expression turns to stone. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to collect the rest of my belongings from the apartment.” I clear my throat, then add, “I also need to look at the phone so I can retrieve some of my contacts’ details.”
She lets out a huff. “Your father threw the phone in the trash. We’ll let you know once we’re ready to see you. Only then will you be allowed to clear out your belongings.”
“I need my art supplies and paint –’
She slams the door shut in my face, and for a moment, I can only stare.
Excruciating heartache rips through me, and my breathing speeds up. Turning around, I rush down the steps and walk away.
I gasp through the intense pain caused by the heartless actions of my parents.
What have I done to deserve this? They never treat Mark and Sadie like this. Why only me?
Without noticing, I walk toward The Ritz, and standing across the road from the building, I look up to the top floor.
Callan.
I pull my phone from my pocket and Google the number for The Perfect Gentleman. When a receptionist answers, I ask, “Can I talk to Harper, please?”
“Who can I say is calling?”
“Lily Harrison.”
“One moment, please.”
I listen as music plays before a man answers, “Easton speaking, how can I help?”
“Can I talk to Harper, please?”
“She’s currently in a meeting. Can I take a message?” he asks.
I worry my bottom lip before saying, “What time will she be out of the meeting?”
“At eleven.”
“I’ll call back.”
Hanging up, I look up at the top floor of The Ritz before heading to the subway.
All my recent art and supplies are stuck in my father’s apartment. Needing to get back to work, I go to the storage facility so I can get some of my old supplies and paintings.
I have a stall booked for this coming Saturday. It will be the first time I attempt to sell any of my work, and now I don’t even have the pieces I’ve selected.
Also, I can’t work on my final piece.
Frustrated and worried, I almost burst into tears while I walk to my storage space. I roll the shutter door open, and stepping inside, I start looking through everything.
Not finding much I can work with, I cover my mouth with my hand, sinking into a crouching position.
I can’t take this anymore.
I don’t have my art.
I haven’t spoken to Callan. I have no idea how he feels or what he’s thinking, and the uncertainty is driving me insane.
God, my life is such a mess.
Standing up again, I look through my old supplies and art pieces and take everything I might be able to use.
It’s better than nothing.
Chapter 35
Callan
Sitting in a meeting with the director of the Houston branch, I can’t focus on work.
Picking up my phone from where it’s lying face down on the desk, I check for messages, but there’s only one from Dad asking how I’m doing.
I haven’t heard from Lily and plan on calling her after the meeting.
Paul, the director, explains the projections for the next year, but I can’t even focus on the numbers.
“Should we take a break?” he suddenly asks.
I let out a sigh and nod. “We can resume the meeting in ten minutes. Thanks, Paul.”
Getting up from the chair, I walk out of his office and leave the building so I can get some fresh air.
I feel claustrophobic from not being able to talk to Lily.
The moment I step onto the sidewalk, I suck in a deep breath and dial her number.
When it goes to voicemail again, I almost crush the device in my fist. “Fuck!”
A passerby glances at me, but I couldn’t give two fucks what the woman thinks of me.
Anger begins to swirl in my chest, and opening the chat with Lily, I send her a text.