Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Me: It’s in the name of learning a skill that will become invaluable in college. Who am I to deny them something so important? Plus, they’ll be able to teach my future niece or nephew in a few years. Honestly, if you have time, you might as well show them how to play quarters too.
After I hit send, I can’t stop myself from sending her one more message.
Me: Speaking of my future niece or nephew, I think you should tell your doctor to tell me what the gender is. I swear I’ll keep it a secret.
Brooke is in her eighth month of pregnancy and she’s insistent on waiting to find out the gender, but I’m dying with anticipation. I’ve spent the last seven years eyeballs-deep in superheroes and dinosaurs, and I’m really hoping for the chance to buy pretty dresses and bows.
Brooke: That’s cute. But you’re going to find out when I find out, which is whenever he or she makes their big debut. Now, go enjoy a night to yourself.
Me: Are you sure everything is good? You promise you want to keep them all night? I can come get them anytime…
Brooke: Sammy, stop texting me! We’re good. The boys are being little angels.
Me: Angels? My kids? Now I know you’re lying. What’s really going on over there? Do you need them so you can pretend to be a family in a drug-mule scheme like We’re the Millers?
Brooke: SAMMY. Go have some damn fun! Lord knows when harvesting time comes for the little crop I’m growing, Chase and I are going to be calling YOU for help.
With one last sigh of guilt, I push myself to let it go and complete the short trek to the restaurant.
Thankfully, now, the weather is starting to turn just enough that I don’t have to shiver my way down the sidewalk anymore.
By the time I reach the swanky place Gavin picked, I can barely get through the door and up to the hostess stand, it’s so packed with the dinner crush.
“Can I help you?” the hostess asks right as I spot Gavin at a table directly behind her. He’s standing, waving, and smiling at me, so I point toward him.
“I found him. Thank you.”
She nods before moving on to the people shoving in the door behind me.
I make my way between the filled tables quickly enough, tucking my light trench coat to my body to avoid skimming it against people as I move. And Gavin is waiting for me with my chair pulled out when I arrive.
“You look stunning,” he says, wrapping one strong arm around my waist and pulling me close. I look up into his striking eyes just in time for him to catch my lips with his own in a soft, chaste kiss.
I startle slightly but calm quickly enough. It’s unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome. I mean, affection is part of dating. Right?
As he moves on to pull my coat off my shoulders, so do I. I won’t make a big deal of this, and I won’t shortchange myself the experience of a man showing genuine interest just because there’s another one who has burrowed himself inside my brain and who just so happens to be good with my kids.
I clear my throat and smile up at him as he tucks my coat over one of the spare chairs and takes his seat across from me. “You look great too. Honestly, though, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look bad.”
He winks at me. “How about some wine?” He gestures toward the bottle of red on the table.
The mere sight of alcohol is a relief to my slightly frazzled nerves. I’m trying so hard to be confident, but I can’t seem to evict the nerves completely. You’d think after a few dates, I would finally be settled in, But a decade, I suppose, is a long time to be out of the game.
“Yes, please.”
He pours me a glass, and I don’t waste any time taking a hearty sip. It burns a little because of my overzealousness.
“Good?”
“Mm-hmm. Very good.” More than half of the bottle is already gone with just our two glasses, and it makes me start to wonder just how late I was running.
“Did I keep you waiting long? I thought I was on time tonight, but I truly don’t think I even understand the concept anymore.”
“Oh no,” he refutes with a magnanimous wave of his hand. “I got here a little early and figured I’d get our table while I waited for you to arrive.”
I smile. That makes sense. He probably had a glass or two while he was sitting here by himself. I’m sure with a job as serious as his, he needs to decompress from time to time too.
“Did I mention that you look absolutely beautiful tonight?” He reaches out to place his hand over mine. “Because you really do, Sammy.”