Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
What warning?
I almost glared at the door.
Amber! I wish to be warned!
Amber straightened and forced a smiled at her husband, and when Micah looked down at my hands on her feet, Amber’s eyes widened and she pointed at me. “She offered!”
Micah blinked at me. “You don’t have to do that.”
From Micah’s reaction, something told me Amber got herself into trouble a lot of the time. But, again from Micah’s reaction, I could tell how much he loved his wife.
“I know,” I said then smiled at Amber. “She’s right. I did offer.” I massaged her swollen foot. “I don’t like the idea of someone being in needless pain.”
Micah leaned against the door, watching us closely. “You two seem to be getting along.”
“She’s like the sister I never had.” Amber blew me a kiss and I chuckled quietly.
Micah’s brows rose. “Amber, you have three sisters.”
“Yeah,” Amber stated matter-of-factly. “And they’re all assholes.”
Micah shared a tender look with his wife before turning to me and saying, “We’ve done everything we need to but you can stay as long as you like, Emily.”
“Thanks.” I smiled before checking my wristwatch. My face fell.
Ah, shoot. Is that the time?
“But I have to go visit Nanna. She’s in the hospital,” I said in way of understanding.
Simultaneously, Micah said, “Can I give you a ride?” while Amber ordered her husband, “Drive her.”
Instantly, I was on my feet, waving them off. “No, no, no. I’m fine, really. I like to walk.”
Micah didn’t look happy. “Are you sure?”
Amber looked glum. “Really? I hate to walk.”
“Really,” I assured them both. “I’m good.” They were so sweet that I laughed. “But thank you for the offer.”
Before I left the first floor, I exchanged numbers with Amber. She made me promise to call her whenever, for whatever reason, because she was “so freaking bored, like, all the time.”
She surprised me by pulling me into a hug as I said goodbye, and when Micah walked me back downstairs, I caught him looking at me curiously. At my enquiring glance, he shook his head. “You’re not what I thought you’d be.”
I took a moment before answering him.
“People rarely are,” I returned quietly.
His “touché” was equally as quiet.
When we walked back into the room and I saw the brawny band of men sitting at the table, going over paperwork of some kind, my stomach felt like it had been karate chopped.
I really needed to work on that.
“Um,” I began softly and they all turned to look at me. I tried very hard to look at them but my chin dipped as I spoke. “It was nice to meet you all.”
Noah stood. “Do you need a ride?”
“No, thank you.” I threw my thumb back over my shoulder. “Micah already offered.” I stopped to retrieve my backpack. “I guess I’ll see you in two weeks.”
“Be there or be square,” uttered Lee, making the shape of a square with his thumbs and forefingers.
Hell grinned. “Don’t stress. It’ll be fun. I promise.”
“Okay.” I laughed softly, pushing my glasses up my nose.
Noah took the few strides over. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Thanks.” As I left the room, I quickly ran back and rushed out, “Bye,” waving eagerly.
Hell called out, “Bye, Emmy.”
We walked a short while but then I heard him. “Don’t tell me there’s nothing wrong with that chick.”
Connor.
No. He wasn’t on board the Emily train.
The second we were out the door, Noah took in my fallen face. “Don’t take it personally. Connor’s an asshole, your typical moody artist. He doesn’t really like anyone.”
“Sure,” I said quietly because as sweet as Noah was I didn’t really believe that.
“How are you getting home?”
“Bus.”
Noah folded his big arms across his wide chest. “I could drive you.”
“It’s okay. It’s not too far,” I lied easily but averted my eyes just in case they gave me away.
Noah opened the heavy gate. “April fourteenth. Bright and early.”
For some dumb reason, I said, “The early bird gets the worm,” and the second it was out of my mouth, I closed my eyes and slapped a hand onto my forehead, sighing.
Noah’s light chuckle was so deep I felt it dancing around me.
How humiliating.
“Okay, well, I’m going to leave now,” I told him, walking backward, cheeks flushed as I adjusted my backpack.
At the gate, Noah poked his head out. He watching me saunter away.
I walked faster.
“They’re really nice. The fact that I’m uncomfortable around them is all on me, I’m afraid,” I explained to Jim as I leaned back in my chair, getting comfortable.
“Okay,” said my adopted grandfather with a frown. “I don’t know how I feel about you travelling with a bunch of ne’er-do-wells.”
Oh my. Jim did show his age sometimes. “They’re not ne’er-do-wells. They’re rock stars.”
He scoffed, “Same difference.”
Turning to watch Nanna sleep, I thought about all she had done for me and spoke quietly. “I’m going to do this, Jim.”