Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
I laugh as the memories surface. When I was growing up, we always took furniture to the flea market in town. I wanted to make extra money, and I would always make these paper towel holders to sell. “I made thousands probably and sold them for a dollar apiece back then.”
“Well, I think today went well. What about you?”
I shake my head. “We ain’t done yet. I cut enough wood to make four, and I need to sandpaper it and stain it.” I pause. “Unless you need to go.”
He chuckles. “Nope, I’m good. I got all the time in the world.”
We set up a spot to work, and Chris watches as I complete my project. “You got plans tonight?”
I nod because for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to something. “I do. I have a date.”
And for the next thirty minutes, we work on the paper towel holders, and I tell him all about Olivia. I find that Chris is easy to talk to, and I just let it flow. I don’t know if it’s because I’m working while we talk or what, but I tell him all of it—leaving out the part about the boner at the salon. No one needs to hear that. But I do tell him about how I walked away and she came to see me. I tell him how I’m hoping to stay in Whiskey Run and to secure myself a job here. I just keep blabbing until I have nothing left to say and I feel as if I’m twenty pounds lighter.
When I finish cleaning up, Chris and I walk out together. He walks me through how to lock up, and as we’re walking the path back to the apartments, I tell him, “Fuck, this feels good, man. I don’t know how to thank you.”
He wraps his hand around my shoulder. “Don’t thank me. You did this, Jason. You. Did. This.”
I couldn’t stop the smile if I tried. “I did, didn’t I?”
His laugh is loud and boisterous. “Fuck yeah, you did, man.”
As we continue walking, I tell him, “I’ll be honest with you, Chris. You’re my kind of therapist. None of the others say ‘fuck’.”
He laughs again and touches my arm to let me know we’re stopping. “We’re outside your apartment building. What do you say? Ten a.m. tomorrow morning? Meet you at the barn?”
I nod, and already there’s an excitement that fills me. “Yeah, sounds good, man. I’ll be there.”
He starts to walk away. “And good luck on your date tonight. She obviously likes you, Jason. Let her. Stop with the walls because I’m telling you, a woman like that is not going to do the chasing long.”
I throw my hand up, and when he’s gone, there’s a new excitement brewing inside me. I have a date with Olivia. For the first time in a long time, I’m ready to give something my all. I just hope my all is enough.
CHAPTER 12
OLIVIA
“I’m going to his apartment. I don’t need to wear a dress.”
I’m staring at two sets of eyes, and they’re all giving me knowing looks. Abby is the first one to speak up. “You want to feel good, Olivia, and you love wearing dresses. Wear the dress.”
Chloe is next. “Girl, do you know how many times you’ve dressed me in uncomfortable contraptions because we were going out. Well, it’s payback time. Wear the dress… and the heels.”
I hold my hands up and say, “I’ll wear the dress, but I draw the line at heels. I’m not doing it.”
Abby is sitting on the bed, fidgeting in her seat. Chloe is on the chair in the corner of the room, and they’re both looking at me. “You guys, I could have gotten ready on my own.”
Abby jumps up. “Oh, we know, trust me. You’re the one that always gets us ready for dates, so even though you may not need us, we still wanted to be here to show our support.”
I nod and turn in my seat to look in my mirror. I’m applying mascara when I meet Abby’s gaze in the mirror. She flushes almost guiltily. “So you’re not mad I gave Jason your number?”
I lift my shoulders in a shrug. “I probably would have been mad if you didn’t.”
Abby smiles ear to ear. “He was pretty convincing.”
I think about his blue eyes, that body, and those kissable lips. And wowzers, that voice. “Yeah, I can totally see that.”
Chloe chimes in. “So where are you guys going on this date?”
I shake my head. “I have no idea.” And Abby purses her lips. “Do you know something I don’t know?”
She holds her hand up and shakes her head. “I’m not telling. But I think you’ll like it. It’s low-key and your kind of thing.”
I stand up and smooth my dress down my legs. “Am I overdressed? You said low key. Maybe I should wear something else.”