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)
After a cold shower to keep me from climbing back into bed with Clare, I slipped out of the bedroom, shut the door behind me, and started to make some breakfast for us. It was Sunday, so there was no need to worry about work, and I was positive the hospital hadn’t called since I didn’t hear Clare’s phone go off at all.
First thing I did was make myself coffee and got Clare’s tea ready to go when she woke up. After that, I got to work on breakfast. I put bacon in a pan to cook while I chopped up some fresh vegetables for an omelet. Once they were sautéing, I mixed the eggs up and got four pieces of bread out and ready to go in the toaster. If Clare didn’t wake up in the next few minutes, I’d wake her up…with a kiss and maybe a bit more.
“That smells delicious.”
Smiling at the sound of her voice, I turned to see she was still wearing my clothes. My heart tripped over itself at the sight of her. She was so beautiful and looked so damn adorable in my clothes. I don’t think she’d ever looked more attractive to me than she did right then. Her hair a mess, a sleepy look on her face, and a smile that made me long to see it every single morning for the rest of my life.
“How did you sleep last night?” I asked.
Clare walked around the island and blushed when she saw the mug with a container of loose tea leaves next to it.
“You remembered what tea I like?” she asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
“I did. Hard to forget a name like chai. I bought a box of it, you know, for when you come over.”
Clare looked at me with a surprised look on her face before she opened the box and inhaled. “I love that smell. Chai reminds me of this time of year.”
“Just fill that pot up with water right there and turn it on. It will boil the water in a minute.”
“Fancy!” Clare said with a wink.
I poured the eggs over the veggies and said, “I hope you’re in the mood for omelets.”
“Breakfast is my favorite meal, any kind of breakfast. I could eat it for lunch and dinner. I remember growing up when my mom would make French toast for supper. Tim and I would be in heaven! My mom makes the best French toast.”
“I haven’t had French toast in forever. You’ll have to make me some of your mom’s.”
Clare took the now-boiling water and poured it over the loose tea leaves in the contraption that came with the mug.
“It’s a deal.”
She picked up her phone and frowned. “I guess no news is good news, right?”
Nodding, I flipped the omelet. “Did you want me to take you back to the hospital?”
“Oh no, you’ve already done so much for me, Wes. I can’t ask you to give up your Sunday.”
“You’re not.”
She paused for a moment as she stared at a spot on the floor.
“What’s on your mind, Clare?”
When she looked up, she wore such a torn expression. “I thought I saw on the planner Mandy was supposed to be at that luncheon for Boston business owners. You got the invite too. I thought maybe you’d want to go.”
Picking up the pan, I tilted it and watched as the omelet slide out. “About that, Clare. I’ve been thinking about that whole thing, and I want to stop.”
Clare looked confused as she sat down on the stool at the island. “You want to stop what?”
Before I had a chance to answer her, there was a knock on my door.
“Who in the world is that?” I said as I quickly split the omelet among our plates.
Clare took her plate I handed her before I made my way to answer the door. Right before I went to open the door, something told me not to do it. A gut instinct to not open the door. I paused and was about to turn around when they knocked again.
“Wes? Are you going to answer the door?” Clare asked, confused.
Glancing at her over my shoulder, I forced a smile. “Yeah.”
I reached for the doorknob and opened it. It instantly felt like I swallowed a brick.
“Wes, I was hoping I’d catch you at home. Is now a good time to talk?” Mandy said as she brushed past me and into my place. She came to a stop when she saw Clare sitting there eating breakfast.
“Excuse me, Mandy, but Clare and I were about to eat breakfast and head back to the hospital. I didn’t invite you in.”
Mandy forced a smile as she looked at Clare, then back at me. “It’s important that I talk to you, Wes. Really important. I’m sure your friend wouldn’t mind giving us some privacy.”