Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“You’ve got that right.” I clink my cup of coffee against hers. “This is going to be the shit.”
“We’re looking at next Friday night.” I sip my water and then pop a potato chip into my mouth. Chase and I are sitting on the park bench near my shop, sharing lunch, and I’m filling him in on the meeting with the girls earlier.
“And it’s for women only?”
“Yep. And, of course, a woman doesn’t have to own her own business already. Maybe she wants to start one up, or maybe she manages something. Really, it’s about empowering others. And who better to start with than London Ambrose? The woman is amazing.”
“I agree. I think it’s great. Good for you guys. I went into the coffee shop earlier. Millie is already doing great in there. She made me something called a Snickers mocha.”
“She’s going to do a signature drink of the day,” I reply with a nod. “I think it’s a good idea, but she might want to switch to changing the drink out weekly. Every day is a little ambitious.”
“She’s excited and has the energy for it now.” He turns to me and slides the tip of his finger down my jawline, making my nipples pucker in anticipation.
Of course, I’m wearing a white T-shirt, and it hides nothing.
“God, you’re fucking amazing,” he whispers. He’s sitting over there in his uniform, looking sexy as fuck, and I’m supposed to keep my hands to myself when he says things like that? “I want to take you home and slide right inside of you.”
I swallow hard and lean into his touch. “Unfortunately, we both have to go back to work.”
“That is unfortunate. Rain check?”
“Rain, sun, blizzard, you name it.” He laughs, and I smile at him, enjoying the way he’s looking at me, as if he could eat me whole.
“How’s work?” He’s likely smart to change the subject, but I really enjoy flirty Chase.
“It’s good.” I shrug a shoulder and glance over at my shop. “I’ve decided to start putting small bouquets of flowers outside in a bucket. They’ll be wrapped in bunches with pretty paper, and I’ll only charge five dollars for each bunch. I’ll leave an envelope outside for the cash.”
“The honor system?” He frowns, thinking it over.
“Yeah. It’ll be flowers that I have a surplus of, and I think more people will pay for them than just take them.”
“You have a lot of faith in people.”
I shift in my seat and face him. “You see a lot of the bad in people, but the majority are not that way, you know.”
“I know. You’re right. I think it’s a good idea.”
I laugh at that and shove his shoulder. “You do not. You think I’ll get ripped off.”
“I think the theory behind the idea is great,” he clarifies. “And yeah, you’re gonna get ripped off. I’m going to have to stand outside in my uniform and give people the goddamn stink eye so they don’t steal from you.”
“You’d make a handsome flower guard,” I say as I contemplate another chip. “I might hire you for it.”
He smirks and tucks my hair behind my ear. “I’d like to stick around and discuss this further, but I have to get back to work, Blondie.”
“Me, too.” I sigh and look up at the sky. “I think it’s going to rain later. Fall is definitely here.”
“I’m ready for it,” he says as we stand. “I think you’re right about the rain. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I’m fine. I’ll see you tonight.” He pulls me close and kisses the breath right out of me, before letting go so I can walk back to work. As always, I feel his eyes on my back, and I turn to blow him a kiss. “Love you, babe.”
That devastating grin spreads over his face. “Love you back.”
Just as I reach the door to Paula’s Poseys, Evan walks out of his office and stops short when he sees me. In the past, he’d smile and maybe follow me inside to chat, but today, his jaw firms, he nods once, and then he marches away angrily.
At least he doesn’t yell at me or try to talk me into going to Helena. Since that night last week at the restaurant, and then at my house, I haven’t heard a thing from Evan or my parents, and that suits me just fine.
I glance over my shoulder and see that Chase hasn’t moved. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his gaze is pinned to Evan as the man walks down the street.
I don’t think that Evan will try to do anything to me, but I love knowing that Chase is nearby to have my back.
“What was for lunch?” Ida asks when I walk inside.
“Sandwiches.” I reach for my apron and tie it on.
“Girl, you waste your lunch break with eating,” Sharla says, shaking her head. “You need to take him home and give him a lunch break to remember.”