Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“I hate lying to her.” I turn into him and bury my face in his chest to muffle my scream of frustration, and he chuckles.
“Come on. This place has the best drinks in town, and I don’t know about you, but I need that about now.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ALEC
The first time I laid eyes on Savannah Downing, I felt like I’d been punched in the chest. Was it her beauty? That silky blond hair spilling down her back, the long legs showcased in the kind of tight, short skirt that would look out of place anywhere but a nightclub in Vegas, or the bright eyes and easy smile? I was instantly aware of all those things, but I’ve seen beautiful women before, taken more than a few to my bed. Maybe it was the way she looked at me—with a predatory glint in her eye that said she’d spotted something delicious and planned to keep it all for herself—or maybe it was the way she softened a few moments later when she sat in my lap and asked if I was going to break her heart.
“Never.” I scanned her face as I breathed the promise, cataloguing every detail.
I think part of me already knew that I’d get one night with Savannah and nothing more.
When she introduced me to her best friend as the future father of her children, she’d known me for all of ten minutes. As crazy as it was, I could picture it. Almost like a memory. Instead of being spooked by that feeling, I relished it—and relished the moments I knew would be fleeting.
I wish I was surprised when she texted months later to tell me we should just be friends. We both knew her excuse about distance and avoiding inevitable heartbreak was just that, but I didn’t push, didn’t argue, didn’t declare my premature love or promise to move to rural Georgia to make it work between us. I hoped I might win her back someday, hoped that time would prove there was something about me that made it worth risking whatever she was so afraid of.
Tonight, I feel like a thief—stealing moments in time with a woman I know I can’t keep. I’m not sorry for it. I can’t be.
Little Black Book is a martini lounge and one of my favorite places in town. The best part about it is the cushy semicircle booths bathed in shadows at the back, and I’m sure to slip the maître d’ a handsome tip to make sure he gives one to us.
“This place is gorgeous,” Savvy says after we’re seated. Our booth faces the dance floor and is catty-corner to the stage where a jazz trio plays a low, sexy riff. She scans the digital menu on the small tabletop screen. “Think Smithy would die of jealousy if I ordered a lemon-drop martini at someone else’s bar?”
I chuckle. I don’t know the owner of her favorite bar well, but he seems way too laid-back for jealousy. “If you want something sweet, try their chocolate martini. It’s one of Rose’s favorite drinks ever because it’s made with ganache.”
She moans, and the sound rumbles through me like nails down my back. “I’m in.” She taps her selection before handing the screen to me. “What will you get?”
“One of their bourbons, probably.” I scroll through the selections while resisting the urge to pull her tightly against me again.
“Do I even want to know what the best bourbon at a place like this costs?”
I shrug and tap on the ten-year Rip Van Winkle before sending in our order. “Life is short.” I want to tell her that if she were with me, she wouldn’t have to worry about money. If she were with me, I’d take care of everything. But money seems to be a tricky subject for her. As much as she seems to crave financial stability, maybe the idea of being with someone who can offer it scares her. I’m beginning to suspect that money’s been a tool used to manipulate her more than once—that was certainly an issue for Brinley and Marston—so I’m careful never to do or offer anything that might come off that way.
Savvy settles back with a sigh. “I can’t believe your sister thinks we’re engaged.”
Right. That. “Is it that different than her thinking we’re seriously dating?” She narrows her eyes, and I bark out a laugh. “Okay, so it is. But Rose is awesome, and we can trust her.”
“Trust her enough that we could tell her the whole truth?”
Something snags in my chest at that request, but I swallow it down. “If that’s what you want.”
She scoots closer to me and leans her head on my shoulder. “I want to do this however you want to do it. This is your thing too, and I trust you to know what’s best.”