Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
How could Lars not see this?
Lars set down his beer when he saw me and there was a whole lot of oh fuck in his eyes. “Hey. This is a surprise. You look beautiful.”
While it was true that my black, wide-leg pants, linen halter top, and ballet flats were on point, this situation sucked. Though seeing Lars did deliver that high. The man wore a pair of jeans like nobody’s business. And the way his T-shirt fit was a singular delight. How the cotton stretched just so over his shoulders and embraced his biceps. Any happy, however, was soon drowned out by awkward.
“The work thing finished early and...” I downed a mouthful of the cider I’d grabbed from the bar then set it on a nearby table. “I’m going to go.”
Lars picked up the drink and held it out to me. “Stay. At least until you finish this.”
“I’m making your boy uncomfortable.”
“He’ll live.” He moved closer so we wouldn’t be overheard. “I only invited him after you said you couldn’t come. But now you’re here and that’s good.”
I groaned.
“We had a talk. He’s not going to give you any shit.”
“A talk?” I asked. “When did this happen and what exactly did you say?”
“After my birthday. I told him that I valued your friendship.”
“My friendship, huh?”
“Yeah.” His smile was amused. “You changed your mind and want me to update the relationship status?”
“Unnecessary. Friend.”
“Just checking. Stay. Finish your drink.”
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll finish the drink.”
Mateo and James got tired of waiting and headed for the pinball machine. Meanwhile, Aaron’s gaze moved between Lars and me with no small amount of suspicion. I gave him my most innocent smile. Of course he scowled. And all the while, Lars stood at my side. I had to admit, it would be interesting to see how things were going to play out. It had occurred to me that Aaron saw niceness toward women as transactional. As he no longer believed I had any value and could give him nothing he wanted, there was no reason for him to bother being polite. Asshole.
“Take your shot,” Lars told Aaron.
And he did, turning to me and saying, “How’s your job, Susie? Business still afloat?”
“Yes.”
“Great.” He bent over the table and lined up a shot. “Did you ever get back that big account for the landscaper? You know, the one who disagreed with your fee structure?”
“Nope.”
“Pity,” he said. A ball went down and he lined up the next. “You look nice. That your take on a business outfit? You always were creative.”
“Thanks,” I said, somewhat drily.
“And your parents? Have you talked to them lately?”
“Yes.”
“Always liked your dad.”
I kept my mouth shut.
Lars frowned, but said nothing.
“I was sorry to hear about your aunt Susan,” said Aaron, lining up another shot. “We didn’t get on, but I know you two were close.”
I drank my cider and thought about calming things. Shoe sales and walks by the water and such. Because it wouldn’t be me that blew up this time. Not a chance. I would learn from the pain and no longer allow him to hurt me. Fuck him. I’d been mulling over Karen the mystic’s words about not repeating mistakes. My Ex knew all my buttons. That was a given. While I couldn’t control his behavior, I could control how I reacted.
“Your aunt and I were a little like you and my mother.” He smirked. “Can’t tell you how relieved she was when I told her we were through.”
Ouch. “I wasn’t aware your mom felt that way.”
“Oh, yeah.” He laughed. Not being subtle at all, apparently. “Just as well it didn’t work out, huh?”
“Just as well,” I agreed.
Lars frowned some more, but said nothing.
Aaron missed his next shot and handed the cue to Lars. Now here was something worth watching. Lars bending over a pool table. The way the denim molded to his thick thighs and behind. How the muscles in his arms flexed as he lined up his shot. I could watch this man do things all day. Or for at least the next few minutes while I finished this drink.
Lars sank the first ball and moved on to the next.
When Aaron saw my ogling, his expression turned to one of complete and utter contempt.
I drank some more cider.
“Too bad Hannah couldn’t come tonight,” he said. “I think you two would get along.”
“Oh?”
Lars’s gaze jumped to me to gauge my reaction before returning to the pool table.
“She messes around a lot on social media like you,” Aaron continued. “Has all these fans from her modeling days.”
“Okay,” I said.
“But she’s much happier working as a systems analyst and using her degree. Already got an offer for a position at a big company here.”
“Let me guess...your mother loves her.”
“As a matter of fact, she does.”
Lars straightened, rising to his full height. “What the fuck, man?”