Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“You know, as the owner, Darla doesn’t have to wait tables.”
“She likes it,” June replies with a shrug. “She enjoys being with the customers, and she’s also really good at placating the jerks. It’s her gift.”
“She’s great at it.” I watch June for a moment and then I can’t help but say, “You know, I like having a truce with you. Sparring back and forth is exhausting.”
“Yeah, well, I’m bitchy, so it’ll still happen from time to time, I’m sure.”
I blow out a breath. “Listen, I didn’t say that to hurt your feelings.”
She barks out a laugh and flips that amazing red hair over one shoulder. “Really? Did you think I’d be flattered? If that’s the case, your charm needs some work, Romeo.”
“I think I was being brutally honest. Frankly, your sass is sexy, but there are moments when it gets under my skin. Like when I’m trying to flirt with you or am being just plain nice to you.”
“No one asked you to do those things.” Her face folds into a snarl, and all I can do is chuckle at her. “And now you’re laughing at me.”
“Looks like our truce lasted about ninety minutes.”
June sighs and then sits back as Darla places our desserts and coffees before us.
“Thanks, Darla.”
“Enjoy. I think I might snag myself some key lime before it’s all sold out.” Darla grins before she hurries away.
“Anyway, I like to banter with you, but once in a while, I like it when you’re nice to me.”
“Hmm.” She sips her coffee, and then she takes a bite of her mud pie, which has her eyes closing in ecstasy the same way they do when she’s about to come.
It’s absolutely fucking amazing.
To keep myself in check, I take a bite of my key lime and nod. “Damn good.”
“Better than sex,” she says almost absently before taking another bite. Then she must realize what she said because her eyes widen a bit as they find mine.
“Looks like we have some work to do if that dessert is better than what I’ve done to you in the bedroom.”
She clears her throat, sips her coffee, and then smiles. “Yeah, you’d better step up your game, ace, because this mud pie is damn good.”
“Challenge accepted.”
“Of course, I didn’t invite you to come home with me.”
“I didn’t say it would be tonight,” I counter, and if I’m not mistaken, a flash of disappointment shines in those eyes, so I decide to change the subject. “How is Annabelle?”
June’s grandmother has always been one of my favorite people in Huckleberry Bay. She’s eclectic and funny, and while she may be getting up there in age, she’ll never act like it.
“She’s doing well. Getting ready for the epic Halloween party in a few weeks.”
“It’s my favorite party of the year.” I finish my pie and then sit back to enjoy the last of my coffee. “What’s the theme this year? Last year was Disney, so I’m wondering how she’s going to top that.”
“The Great Gatsby.” June grins. “Grandma’s in the mood to celebrate the roaring twenties. I have to buy a flapper dress.”
“That’ll be an experience. How is she decorating for it?”
“You know I’m not allowed to divulge all her secrets. You’ll have to wait and see when you get there.”
“Fine. I’ll wait.” June licks her fork clean, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have an aneurysm from wanting that tongue on me.
When Darla brings the check, we reach for it at the same time, but I easily tug it out of June’s grasp.
“You don’t have to buy me dinner,” she says, a small frown pinching her brow.
“I understand that I don’t have to, but I want to. Dinner’s on me.” I slip my card into the folio, and Darla whisks by to take it from me. “Darla’s fast.”
“Now I feel guilty because you shouldn’t feel like you have to buy me dinner. I should be the one to pay, since you saved me from wasting all the work I put into this outfit.”
“Are you under the impression that I often do things that I don’t want to do?” I ask, narrowing my eyes slightly. She should know me better than that after all these years.
“You helped out Luna today, and I’m pretty sure you would have rather been somewhere else.”
“She’s my sister, and if she needs a hand, I’m happy to lend it. I don’t do anything that I don’t want to besides pay a shit ton in taxes, and I only do that because I’m not in a hurry to see the inside of a prison cell. I wanted to buy you dinner, so I did. Thanks for coming back inside with me.”
“Well, thanks for dinner,” she says, but she still looks uncertain. “I guess.”
“Would it make you feel better if I agreed to let you buy me coffee or lunch or something sometime?”