Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
We climb into a waiting car and I listen to him be his charming self as we drive to Robert’s apartment, a condo on the middle floor of a towering high-rise.
“No hotel?” I jest, not actually all that bothered about where I stay, it’s just nice to feel safe for the first time in weeks.
He wags his brows at me and holds my shoulders, taking me to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a balcony and Seattle itself.
“Oh God… you have a hot tub. What the frick?” I laugh because I’m not surprised. “This place is as bachelor pad as it gets.”
“Right?”
He calls for me when he crosses the open space, passing a large L-shaped black leather couch. I follow him to what looks to be my room and sit on the comfy bed.
“It’s new bedding, never been slept in, washed thoroughly. I know how your quirky little brain works.”
I flop back and he flops next to me.
“Selfie,” he announces, his tone high and dramatic. When he raises his phone, I smile like a normal person and laugh when he takes two more.
“What are you… Kim K?”
“Duh. Look at my ass.” He gets up and shakes it a little. It’s a nice ass. “Hurry up, settle in, I’ve got to take you out again.”
“Okie dokie.” I relax for ten minutes before I check my phone for the first time since landing after sending texts to announce my safe arrival.
Laurie: Woohoo! Enjoy :D
Ezra: Wish I could be there. Call me when you can.
Ezra: Are you with Robert? He just posted a picture on Insta.
Laurie: I hope you hate Seattle and decide to stay, just so you know.
I respond to Laurie first.
Rose: Miss you. <3 Wish you were here.
Then Ezra.
Rose: He picked me up from the airport. He lives here… or had you forgotten?
Ezra: I know where he lives, I just didn’t realize you were both so close.
Rose: We’re kind of friends, I guess. What’s the big deal?
Ezra: He’s single.
Rose: You’re jealous.
Ezra: Just worried.
Rose: About what?
Ezra: That I’ll get an invitation to your wedding in a year.
Rose: That’s crazy. I hardly know him.
Ezra: He’s a good-looking, single guy, ready to settle down, he’s not a psychopath and he treats his woman well when he has one. What more do you need to know?
Rose: Are you pitching your friend to me?!?!?!
Ezra: Just praying you don’t end up liking him more than me while pointing out all the reasons you should. Does that make me selfish?
Rose: No. Just jealous.
Rose: I’m not going to sleep with Robert. Don’t worry.
Ezra: I don’t have any right to tell you not to. Yet I find myself wanting to claim you. Still think I’m not selfish?
Rose: I think this is a very confusing thing with a lot of bent and broken rules. You can’t help how you feel. I’ll call you when I’m back.
Ezra: Why not before? I miss the sound of your voice.
Rose: Because I need to know what life will be like here without you.
Ezra: You love me.
Rose: I love myself more.
Ezra: Good girl.
“Ready?” Robert asks, smiling at me and I nod my head eagerly. “Let’s go, my fair lady.”
I take his proffered arm when I exit the bedroom and comment on how nice he smells.
He just does that casual wag of his brows, ruining the moment.
“I’m never complimenting you again.”
We hit the city and he’s right, it is amazing. We head for dinner at a sushi bar, and then go for drinks at his favorite dive that plays really good live music. His friends are there and make me feel so at home and welcome, which is amazing and really makes me think about what Ezra said via text about Robert being a better choice.
Not Robert in particular but just this. This is what my boyfriend should be able to do. He should be able to introduce me to his friends and take me on a tour of his home. I should be able to stay at his place at the end of the night.
I’m not saying I need a boyfriend; it just sucks that I’ve fallen in love with one that I’ll never have. It’s so unfair. I want a family of my own because I’m sick of being lonely, and the first guy to like my quirks is a sociopath, and the second one is married.
You can’t make this stuff up.
I kind of want to laugh at the hilarity of it, except it’s not funny, just depressing.
The next day I have my interview, meeting my potential new boss who is absolutely adorable and so sweet, and I leave crying because if I want it, the job is mine.
I think this was mostly because I saw the staff list lined with their photos and remembered everything about them after one look at the sheet. My memory is a powerful thing.