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)
“Okay.” He kisses my forehead and then my lips. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m completely sure. I never forget my pill. Besides, now I get to walk around for the rest of the day and feel you there. It’s kind of naughty.”
He nods, relief written all over his gorgeous face, and then he grins. “That’s hot as hell, actually.”
“Should I be offended that you’re so relieved that pregnancy is off the table?”
“No, you shouldn’t be.” He kisses me once more. “It’s not you at all. I don’t want an accidental pregnancy. If—or when—that time comes, it’ll be a decision we make together. That’s all.”
“Okay. Now that I’m completely uncomfortable, I think I’ll go see my sister.”
He kisses my hand, and there go those butterflies again.
“Have fun,” he says. “And come over any time. I’ll be here.”
“Thanks. And just so you know, I’d come over even if there weren’t mice in my grandmother’s attic.”
“Good to hear.” He laughs and walks me out the front door. “Drive safe.”
I wave and get into my truck, but for the first time since I started seeing Apollo, I regret our agreement not to tell anyone about us because I’d very much like to tell Lauren all about how amazing he is.
“I missed this,” Lauren says, lifting a slice of pepperoni to her lips, just as I walk into the kitchen. “Hey!”
“What happened to you?” Cullen asks with a frown.
“I, uh, had to run an errand.” I hurry over to Lauren and wrap her in a tight hug. “Hey, baby sister.”
“You look amazing,” she says as she grips my shoulders and pulls back to look at me. “You’re glowing, and you just look so happy.”
“Thanks.”
“Glowing?” Grandma narrows her eyes, watching me closely. “Yes, that’s right. She’s been sleeping with someone.”
“Grandma.”
“Who?” Cullen wants to know.
“Spill it,” Lauren agrees.
“No one,” I reply, shaking my head and going for the pizza. “Grandma’s imagining things again.”
“I don’t imagine anything,” she mutters, shaking her head. “But, that’s fine, keep your secret. Lauren was just telling us about her latest project in Vegas.”
“What are you working on?” I ask before taking a big bite of pizza.
“A resort,” Lauren says. “A big resort with an unlimited budget. It’s going to be amazing, and when it’s done, I want all of you to come see it.”
“When will it be completed?” Cullen asks.
“Not for a couple of years, so you have plenty of time to schedule in a trip.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” I nod at her, but Grandma just makes a harrumphing noise and walks out of the room.
“Don’t pay any attention to her,” Cullen says. “She’s grumpy.”
“She misses you,” I add. “She won’t admit it, but she wants to see you more often.”
“I FaceTime her every single week. What more does she want?”
“In an ideal world, she wants you to move home.” I take another bite. “She wants you here in Huckleberry Bay.”
“Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen. I like living in the city, but I’ll do my best to come out here more often. At least twice a year.”
“You’re living an awesome life,” Cullen reminds her. “Don’t feel guilty about that. Grandma just misses you and doesn’t understand.”
“Still, I’ll come home more often. Now, can we talk about how amazing this place looks?”
“Right? We still have a couple of days to go, too.” I reach for another slice. “It’s the biggest party of the year, and Grandma likes to knock everyone’s socks off.”
“Well, this year will be no exception,” Lauren says with a nod. “I’m so glad I bought a cool costume for it.”
“I’m glad you did, too,” Cullen says with a laugh. “We’re expected to play the part. If we didn’t, we might get kicked out of the family.”
“Not kicked out,” I reply, thinking it over. “Maybe just suspended until next year.”
“I still don’t want to risk it.”
October 31, 2011
* * *
Dear Diary,
Grandma’s Halloween parties always kick ass, but this one was CRAZY PANTS. I swear, the whole town comes every single year, and I don’t know how they all manage to fit inside of her house, but they do. This year’s theme was African safari. I was a lioness, and believe me when I tell you, I was hot. Luna was a cheetah. Because we were both over twenty-one this year, we got to drink without hiding it from Grandma, and let me just say, we had FUN.
And now I have to crash. Still have work tomorrow. Isn’t that lame? Oh, well.
XO,
June
Chapter Twelve
Apollo
After a few days of only seeing June late at night, when she drives over to my place, crashes, and then leaves before the sun is up, I’m ready to see her at tonight’s Halloween party.
Sure, I won’t be able to touch her as freely as I’d like to because no one knows that we’re together yet, but at least I’ll be near her, hear her laugh, and be able to enjoy her.