Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“What about your brother when he is on leave? Do you spend Christmas together?”
“He’s still a bachelor, and if he is home on leave, he will usually go somewhere with his buddies. He has invited me a few times, but you have no idea what it is like to hang out with a bunch of Marines when you’re the only girl there. It’s not fun.”
I laughed. “I imagine your brother warns his buddies not to hit on you.”
“Oh, they all think of me as one of the guys. What every woman wants to be thought of.”
We walked for a few feet in silence before I said, “You should come to my parents’ house on Christmas. They would love to have you.”
She waved me off. “Nah, I’m okay being home. I normally make myself something simple to eat, grab a book and spend the day reading. I do wish I had a fireplace, though, it makes it so much cozier.”
“Do you put up a tree?” I asked.
“A little one in my bedroom. My place is so small I can’t put a large tree up. I miss going and picking out a live tree, then coming home and decorating it.”
“Yeah, that was one thing I loved doing as a kid. Getting the tree.”
“Do you put up a tree?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No. It’s just me so I don’t decorate at all.”
“Not even a little Charlie Brown tree?”
“Nope.”
I looked down at her staring up at me. “That’s kind of sad, Wes.”
I shrugged. “I get my fill of Christmas at my parents’ house so I’m okay with not having a tree.”
“What about New Year’s Eve? I suppose you have some fancy group of friends you go and hang out with.”
Shaking my head, I replied, “I haven’t been out on New Year’s Eve in forever. I have no desire to be out with that crowd. You?”
“Autumn and I, as well as Rory, use to go out all the time on New Year’s Eve. She’s dating someone right now and they’re planning on going to New York City. Rory’s married and has a baby now, so she’s out of the picture. I’ll probably just stay home and watch the ball drop all by my lonesome. I have been thinking of getting a cat though. I love cats and miss having one around.”
“Really? You’re a cat person?”
She chuckled. “I’m an animal person. I love dogs, cats, horses, cows, it’s really surprising I’m not vegan. I could never give up steaks, though. No chance in hell.”
I smiled. “Why don’t you have a cat?”
“I don’t know,” she said thoughtfully. “Maybe I’ll look for one in the new year.”
I stopped walking and Clare followed suit. “It’s right up here.”
She turned and looked down the street then back to me. “Ready for this?”
“Ready if you are.”
Her smile seemed forced, and I felt like a heel suddenly. Like what I was doing was the biggest dick move ever.
“Clare, if you would rather not do this, then I understand.”
“Wes, you really must love this woman if you’re going through all of this to win her back. If I can help in any way I will.”
I reached for her gloved hand and gave it a squeeze. “You really are a fantastic person, you know that?”
She shrugged. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
She slid her arm through mine, and we started toward the cooking supply store that was holding the class. I had no idea what we were supposed to be cooking and I thought it was a Thanksgiving meal or side dish or something. The only thing I knew was that Mandy would be there. If she was taking the class with Ron, I had no idea. I just assumed so.
The bell above the door rang and we stepped into the store that was offering the cooking class. They had a whole set up in one of their back rooms and according to the manager of the store who was currently talking to a customer. They also offered date night cooking classes as well as cooking with your kids.
Clare looked my way and waggled her brows. There was no sign of Mandy, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she had not had her appointments down anywhere else other than the planner she had left behind. A part of me didn’t care that she wasn’t there. Not when I saw Clare grinning from ear to ear as she put her apron on.
The chef started telling us what we would be making in the class. Homemade ravioli and tortellini. Apparently, they had nixed the Thanksgiving meal for something that wouldn’t take so long. Clare rubbed her hands together and beamed.
Clare turned to me and did a little jump. “Oh my gosh! I love Italian food! This is even better!”
As the chef was going over the process, Clare leaned closer to me. “I don’t see Mandy.”