Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“Movie. Sugary coffee drinks …” I tap my chin with my finger.
“Mani-pedi?”
I nod slowly. “I like how you think.”
“My car or yours?”
Gulp …
“My car is loaded with cleaning supplies. It’s a mess, and I’d have to clean it out just to fit you in it. So maybe we should take your car, or I’m totally cool with paying for an Uber.”
Suzie stands and shuffles her feet slowly toward her bedroom. “We can take my car.”
Thank god …
After an unforgettable afternoon with my new BFF, I work out at the gym, shower, and meet Brady at his apartment for a surprise. Our relationship has been a little rocky over the past few weeks, and I blame Zach and Suzie for showing me what my life is missing … a life.
Okay, I might blame myself more. I should just be honest with everyone about my living condition and financial situation and see who stands by me. I already know the answer. Brady will leave me, and Suzie will attempt to adopt me like an abandoned puppy. All I really need is a shower. Maybe I can start cleaning my clients’ bathrooms with the door locked and grab a shower.
Brady’s not the best for my self-esteem. The sex is good, and the conversations we have are okay. Still, I can’t help feeling like I’m doing it all for the gym membership, aka locker room privileges. Does that make me a horrible person? Or just a survivor?
“There’s my girl.” Brady pulls me into his arms the second he opens the door to his apartment. He palms my ass as he kisses me, and I hope he’s not wondering when I will lube up again and let him in the back door.
“So, what’s the surprise?” I wriggle out of his hold and set my handbag on his sofa. “You said you have a surprise for me.” I give him a curious expression while praying that it’s not a new sex position. I envision him with a bag of sex toys like butt plugs, nipple clamps—and a gag for my mouth so he doesn’t have to listen to me question every move he makes.
“Do you remember our first date? What you said you wanted?”
No. And I can’t believe he remembers.
“Um …” I pinch my bottom lip between my fingers. “I’m sure I said many things on our first date—like how I want to travel the world and work on my photography portfolio. Do you know someone looking for a photographer?”
“No, Em. I’m talking about something else.”
I nod slowly. “Okay …”
He grins like a young boy. I don’t get to see this side of Brady very often, and it’s moderately endearing. So I feel lucky to be the recipient of this level of happiness. Still, I have no clue what surprise he has in store for me.
“Stay here and close your eyes.”
As I close my eyes, a zing of excitement rushes through my veins. I do like surprises.
“Okay. Keep ’em closed and hold out your hands.”
Holding my hands out, I shiver, a little giddy. Then something warm and furry touches my skin, and my eyes fly open.
“Surprise!” Brady smirks like he’s the god of gifts.
“You got a cat?” I hug the white and black patched kitten to my chest, nuzzling my nose in her hair.
“Well,” he chuckles, “I got a cat for you.”
“For me?” I no longer feel as smitten with the kitten because I fear what he means.
“On our first date, you said you liked cats and wanted to adopt one someday.”
I did say that. Now, let’s break it down. I wanted to do the adopting. And someday is not today, when my current residence is my car. Unless you’re married or living together, you don’t buy someone a living, breathing creature. That’s a huge fucking responsibility.
“I … I can’t believe you got me a cat.”
“I feel bad about how things have been between us lately. I’ve been working nonstop, and I’ve kinda been a dick about you staying the night.”
I stare at him with a slow nod and an equally slow raise of my eyebrows. “You’re going to let me stay over? Is this our cat?”
“God, no! I’m actually a little allergic to cats … all pets, really. I just thought you’d feel less lonely at your own place if you had a cat. I mean … that’s why you said you wanted one, right?”
“I’m …”
Say it! I try so hard to get the nerve to tell him the truth as the kitten sniffs my chin, tickling me with her whiskers. Her … I’m not sure if it’s a her.
“Speechless?” Brady looks so proud of himself. In his own special way, I’m sure this is a huge gesture and show of love.
“So speechless.” I reposition the cat only to see that it’s a boy. He got me a tomcat? Figures. I wanted a female cat, but it’s really not my biggest problem. It’s mid-summer in Atlanta. Hot as fuck. I live out of my car. I don’t know if I can train my cat to do its business outside like one can train a dog. A litter box in my car is a bit too much. And what the hell am I supposed to do with him during the day when I’m working? Leaving him in my car is not an option.