Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
I rest my head against the couch. My mind spins with questions—none I really want the truth to. Was he really flirting with her?
“What’s going through that head of yours?”
“Wondering if it’s really that big of a deal to drink wine right now.”
“Stop. I’m serious.”
I twist to face her. “I don’t know what to think. If he was flirting with her, why is he going through all this trouble with me?”
“Girl, because he likes you. He bargained things he’s never even considered putting on the line.”
“Like a signed football?”
“He told you? That cheater.”
“Well, I think he told me to help make sure he doesn’t break the terms of your agreement. Two fighting toward a cause is better than one, ya know?”
“Mak, I’m no love expert. Well, maybe I am. I seem to have a hand in everyone's love life. But I can honestly say I believe in Ben on this one. I think he has good intentions. And I know he wants something with you. I mean, who goes through all this trouble for a hookup? Right?”
I’m so confused. My heart and mind are at odds with one another. My brain says to open up and let him in—to stop letting the past make decisions for me. But my heart is still so untrusting. Christopher did damage I’m not sure is reversible. Can I trust a man again? Ben makes me feel alive, but it sends me into panic mode. What if all men are the same? What if this is just a ploy? His eyes always tell a different story. They make me feel beautiful. Wanted. Cherished. Like I’m the only person he sees.
“I don’t know what I think. I think I’m tired. Homeless. Sober, sadly, which is worse than being thirty and divorced. But most of all, I think this thing—whatever it is with Ben—will end in disaster, so why start it?”
“Because you’ll never know unless you do. Worst case, you both crash and burn. But the thrill of it may just be worth the risk.” She winks at me. Her growing smile causes my lips to curl.
“That’s seriously so ridiculous.”
“Maybe. But not as ridiculous as you not telling me about the sex. Now, spill. Oh, but never mention I asked if Levi catches wind. He gets super jealous. I would hate for him to murder Ben just because I know this kind of info.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Um. . . for starters, remember that one time we accidentally walked into the bathroom while he was peeing? True to size, or did we just get a weird angle?”
“Oh my god! Really, Han?”
Hannah shrugs. Sweet, innocent Hannah—where did she go?
“Well?”
“Weird angle,” I reply, and her smile slumps.
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s even bigger.”
Chapter 23
Ben
“Everything’s cleaned and stored.”
“Thanks, Brady. See ya in a couple days.” I turn, grab my backpack, and head out just as Abel walks in. “Hey, thanks again for picking up my shift. I owe you one.”
“No problem. I can use the extra cash. Wife’s about to have a baby and all. Hey, heard your crew had a bad fire today.”
“It was a close call. But we were even able to save the kid’s fish. That’s a win. See ya arou—”
“Wallace! In my office. Now!”
Fuck.
“Damn, what’d you do?”
Didn’t get out of here fast enough. “Guess we’ll find out. Later.” I run back inside and head to the chief’s office, sticking my head in. “You rang?”
“Shut my door and sit down.”
Great. “Did I do something wrong, Chief?” I ask, taking the chair in front of his desk.
“Your girlfriend is a teacher at my wife’s school?”
Was not expecting that one. Oh, and she’s not my girlfriend. “I mean, sure. I guess—”
“Do you know what this means?”
“That they know each other—”
“That I have to have you over for dinner. At my home. Where I go to get away from you people.”
I cover my mouth with my hand to fake a cough. Chief loves pretending he despises us all. In reality, he’s a big softy. “Tell her I said no.”
His burly mustache twitches. “You want me to tell my wife you said no?”
“Sure. Solves the problem, doesn’t it?”
“No. No one tells my wife no. I don’t tell my wife no. Which means you don’t either. Make it happen. And when you’re over, eat fast and don’t stay for dessert. Hear me?”
“Sure thing, Chief.”
“Good. Get out.”
I shake my head, not bothering to hide my humor, and take off. I’ve been waiting to leave work since I stepped foot in the station. The day was stacked with call after call, but it kept my mind off Makayla. Because every time she invaded my thoughts, I got lost in the image of her from this morning. The way her creamy thigh stuck out from the covers. Her parted lips. The little sounds that fell from her sweet mouth. She looked so damn adorable. I had to fight not to call into work, risk being fired, and climb into bed with her. My lips curled at the sight of her sleeping like the dead in my sports T-shirt. The thought of her waking up and realizing what shirt she was wearing made possibly losing my job worth it, just to see the look on her pretty little face. This little game of cat and mouse is becoming the highlight of my day. The thrill of one-upping her. The anticipation of what she’ll have up her sleeve.