Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“Me, too.” I wrap my arm around her curvy waist. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?” I don’t plan on letting the grass grow under my feet. “So we can get to know each other.”
“Since I owe you, a lot,” Cora smiles up at me, “Why don’t you come over to my house and I’ll cook us dinner?”
It’s an offer I can’t refuse. After we make plans, I walk her out to her car. “I’ll see you tonight.” I pull Cora into my arms and kiss her soft lips until we’re both breathing heavily. When we come up for air, I lean my forehead against hers. “Try not to get into any trouble before then.”
CHAPTER
FIVE
CORA
“I can’t promise anything.” I smile at Adam knowing the odds aren’t in my favor. Trouble just seems to find me.
Glancing at the time, I groan to myself. What was I thinking, inviting him to dinner tonight? It’s already four o’clock, and I haven’t even decided what to cook. I can’t exactly call Scarlett and ask for help. She will freak out and force me to spill the whole story, and I don’t have time for it.
In an act of desperation, I run into The Rodeo Drive Market, Silver Spoon Falls’ grocery store, and look for something quick and easy. To my surprise, their deli has a large selection of precooked meals. I don’t have any time to dillydally, so I grab some lasagna and the fixings for a salad.
I’m pulling the lasagna out of the oven when the doorbell rings at six o’clock on the dot. “You two better be on your best behavior.” I point down at my two little barking pooches before handing them each a big treat to occupy them. That should keep the loud duo busy for a few minutes. “Or you’ll go to bed with no snacks.” As I rush to the door, I call over my shoulder, “And I mean it this time.” Both animals ignore me while attacking the unexpected treats. They know I’m a big pushover who will cave and give them bedtime chew bones.
A few steps from the door, I trip over a half-eaten doggie toy and almost end up eating dirt. Shoot. I barely manage to pull myself together before I open the door. “You’re on time.” Wow. I’m not sure which way I like him best—powerful attorney in a fancy business suit or hot hunk in jeans and a t-shirt.
“I wouldn’t miss tonight for the world. I’ve been waiting seven years, three months, and fourteen days to find you, and I don’t plan on letting you out of my sight for the next seventy years.” His words cause my heart to race.
When he leans over to cover my lips with his, I turn off all my worries and fall into his kiss. Adam pulls back and lays his forehead against mine. “God, I needed that.” He smiles down at me. “What is that wonderful smell?”
“I wish I could take credit for it, but I have to tell you the truth. I grabbed dinner from The Rodeo Market,” I admit. “You wouldn’t want to eat anything I actually prepared myself.”
“Then why did you offer to cook?” Confusion fills his emerald green eyes.
“I wanted to do something nice to repay you for helping me and Auntie O out.” Slinky and Yo-Yo come running into the room and head straight for Adam’s feet.
“You can repay me by spending time with me. I want the chance to get to know you. And collect my debt.” He wiggles his eyebrows before bending down to pet the two little dogs. “And who are these little guys?” I guess the bright blue bowties on their collars give away their genders.
I point down at the taller, thinner of the two. “This is Yo-Yo.” Then to the shorter, chubbier Dachshund. “And this is Slinky.”
“Nice to meet you, Slinky and Yo-Yo.” My heart melts watching the massive man on bended knee petting the small dogs.
“Would you like a drink while I set the table?” My favorite foster mother always loved to socialize. Right now, I appreciate her drilling social niceties into my brain.
“Why don’t I help you get dinner on?” Adam offers, and I lead him into the kitchen. We manage small chitchat while I plate our dinner. “Then we can get to know each other.”
By the time we finish eating, I’m a gooey mess, wanting to beg the hot lawyer to throw me onto the table and eat me for dinner.
“Anything else you want to know?” he asks, and I blink several times, trying to catch up with the conversation.
“I, uh,” I fumble. “I didn’t realize there would be a quiz at the end of the meal,” I joke, trying to buy time.
“I just want to make sure I’m approaching this the right way.” He reaches for my hand. “I don’t want to take the chance of losing you a second time.”