Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Dad!”
“What’s that?” he asked, pointing at the letter in her hand. “Does that say what I think it does?”
Torn by her desires, Amber could only nod.
“May the saints be praised!” Murphy rushed forward to wrap his arms around her waist and whirl the two of them in a tight circle, just as he’d done with her when she was two. “You did it, Sparky. All the time you studied after games, all those sessions where your mom quizzed you over biology, and signing up for every challenging class you could take—it all added up to setting yourself up for the best future ever.”
Unable to prevent herself, Amber looked over his shoulder at Rio, who now leaned against the door frame. Their gazes meshed, and he said softly, “Happy birthday, Little girl.”
He’d never called her that before. Amber had gotten used to Brat, Amberella, Ella, and of course, her name, coming from his lips over the years. She’d never heard him call her that before. Little girl. Unable to look away from his knowing eyes, Amber felt those words resonate inside her. She felt something click into place.
“Back to work, Rio. Just a private celebration here. Amber just got accepted into the best damn nursing program available. She’ll go to North Carolina in a few months,” Murphy interrupted gruffly.
Amber had never heard her father speak to the long-time bartender like that. Rio had been around long enough to be considered family. She pushed away from her father, embarrassed by his tone.
“Thank you, Rio,” she answered, attempting to send him an apology with her gaze.
“You’re welcome, Amber. And congratulations on the news.”
Without another word, Rio turned and walked toward the bar. Instantly, several customers called his name and lifted their glasses. Jumping over the bar in his traditional athletic practice, the handsome bartender drew applause from the women who clustered in front of him. Amber grimaced to see a couple adjust the neckline of their plunging T-shirts lower to attract his attention.
“You’re not to associate with Rio, Amber. He’s a handsome guy, but you’re meant for better things. Stay away from him.” Murphy spoke harshly.
“Dad! What are you talking about? Rio’s worked for us forever.”
“Exactly. He’s an employee. That’s all.”
Amber shook her head and looked down at the letter in her hand. Only a small zing of excitement zipped through her now at the triumph of landing the exclusive spot in the challenging nursing program. She still wanted to go, but now she was torn.
“I know, Sparky. It’s tough growing up and making the right choices. Going to North Carolina will be exciting and scary at the same time. I have a feeling you’ll find a new posse of friends and maybe even someone special there,” her father suggested, as if he’d read her mind.
“I like my friends here,” she argued.
“They’ll still be your friends. The only person who I haven’t heard is going somewhere after graduation is Harper,” he reminded her.
When Amber nodded, he added, “Don’t you want to share your news with them?”
“I guess. Dad, I don’t understand. You told me to stay away from Rio when I was younger. I get that. I didn’t want to cause problems for him. But I’m eighteen now…”
“And you’re still too young. Don’t cost the man his job, Sparky. You’ll lose interest too quickly, anyway. What’s the longest you’ve ever dated anyone? Four weeks? Is that worth his livelihood?" her father interrupted to point out.
“Dad!”
“Go tell your friends and think about what I’ve said. I think you’ll decide this old man may be right.”
“What’s wrong?” Harper asked later that evening as the group minus Colt gathered in her basement. He had run home to shower before coming over. Thank goodness.
Maisie and Beau huddled together, studying for an advanced lit test they had tomorrow. From the number of books scattered around them that they frantically thumbed through, it would be a hairy exam.
“Dad warned me off Rio. I’ve never heard him talk like that.”
“And you couldn’t charm him out of being suspicious? You usually have men eating out of your hand,” Harper said with a meaningful look.
“I do not.”
“Girl…”
“Okay, I get my share of attention, but Rio’s always been Rio. Like he’s a part of the family. Besides, he’s got a thousand women lined up at the bar ready to hook up. I can’t compete with that,” Amber pointed out.
“Of course you can.”
“Can I tell you something to keep between you and me?” Amber watched Harper nod before continuing, “He called me something today. I hadn’t ever heard it except in that book.”
“Really? What was it?”
“Little girl.”
Amber could see from the expression that flashed over Harper’s face that her friend instantly remembered the book they’d shared back and forth until it was literally falling apart. It had disappeared from Amber’s pile of books one evening at the bar.