Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“And then he tried to kiss me.”
“He didn’t,” I gasp in disbelief, and she tips her head back to look up at me.
“He did.”
“What did you do?”
“I was going to punch him.” My eyes widen at the back of her head. “But last year, I had to go to Mrs. Harris’s office for punching another boy, and I didn’t want to get in trouble again, so I just kicked him.”
“I…. Well….” Oh God, I don’t even know how to respond. I mean, I’m all about setting clear boundaries, especially when you’re a girl, but I don’t think punching or kicking a kid at school is the right thing to do. That said, I don’t know what Miles has told her to do in those situations, and I don’t want to step on toes by inserting my two cents. “Umm, maybe next time that happens, you could talk to the teacher.”
“I did before, and they just say not to tattle.”
“A teacher told you not to tattle, when you told them that a boy tried to kiss you and you didn’t want him to?”
“Yeah,” she mutters, then asks, “Can we get ice cream?”
“Sure.” I turn the cart down the frozen-food aisle. “Did you tell your dad the teacher told you not to tattle?”
“No.” She gets down from where she’s standing and moves under my arm to open one of the coolers, taking out a carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream while I make a mental note to talk to Miles about what she just told me.
“How much homework do you have?” I ask when she climbs back between my arms.
“Not a lot. I have reading, and I need to study for a spelling test.”
“When is your test?”
“Friday, but Dad makes me study every day.”
“That’s good. It means you’ll feel prepared Friday when you take the test.” I roll us toward checkout.
“I guess that’s true.” She hops down again and starts helping me put our stuff onto the conveyer belt.
“Would you like a sticker?” the cashier, an older woman with long, grey hair braided over her shoulder, asks and pulls a stack of stickers from her pocket.
Winter carefully looks over the selection before choosing one of a unicorn. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiles, turning her attention to our stuff as she begins to scan. “Are you and Mom making tacos tonight?”
“She’s actually one of my good friends’ daughter.”
“Really?” She looks between Winter and me. “She looks just like you.”
I smile and look down at Winter. I guess she’s kind of right. We both have dark hair and a darker complexion than most without spending lots of time in the sun. And our eyes are similar in color as well. “I wasn’t as cute as she is when I was a kid.”
“She’s adorable.”
“She is,” I agree, wrapping my arm around Winter’s shoulders when she presses into my side in that way kids do when they are feeling shy or unsure.
“That will be $42.64, dear.” I take my card out to pay, then Winter and I push the cart out of the store toward my car.
As we reach the trunk of my car, I turn when my name is called and spot Lynn two vehicles over. I haven’t seen her since the evening Eli’s and my relationship basically came to an end and have been kind of avoiding her since then. Partly because I was seriously embarrassed by all that happened that night, and partly because she and Mica are Eli’s friends, and I don’t want to make anyone, especially him, feel uncomfortable by me still hanging around them.
“Hey.” I give her an awkward smile when she comes over to join us at my car. “How have you been?”
“Good.” She smiles down at Winter, who is once more clinging to my side. “Busy working and attempting to plan a wedding.”
“That’s fun.”
“It’s horrible. I absolutely do not recommend trying to plan a wedding in six months.” She grins when I laugh, then her head tips slightly to the side. “I miss you. I’ve messaged and haven’t heard from you.”
“I’m sorry. I miss you too.” It’s the truth. I miss a lot of the people who were in my life when Eli was a part of it. “It’s just—”
“I know things are a little weird right now,” she cuts me off before I can explain. “And I get we became friends because of Eli, but I do consider you a friend, and I’ve been worried about you.”
My body relaxes. “Don’t be. I’m good. Really good, promise. And I would love to get a drink and catch up.”
“Let’s do it.” She smiles, then reaches out and grasps my arm. “I’ll call you, and we’ll plan something soon.”
“I’d love that.” I accept a hug when her arms wrap around me, then watch as she disappears into the store after saying goodbye.