Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 103918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
"No," I said.
"Good. Because I'm thirsty." I was sure Gideon leaned in a bit more because I could smell the mintiness of his breath. "And if you ever say shit about me being embarrassed by you, friends or not, we’re going to have an issue. Do you hear me?"
It was all I could do not to smile. Clearly, running Gideon off was not something that would be an easy task. I didn't know what I’d done to deserve his attention, but I gladly grabbed onto it and held it for as long as I could. "Yes, Callahan, I hear you." I brought my hand up to my forehead in a mock salute. Two minutes earlier, I’d barely been able to breathe and now here I was, feeling almost human again because of the man in front of me. Nothing about him made sense, but maybe it didn't need to.
"Just for that, brat, you’re buying me a croissant. And no, I'm not putting out."
I found myself laughing at his comment as he pulled me forward and looped my arm through his so he could guide me across the street. As we walked, he began explaining the layout of Merv's. He also called out every divot and piece of debris in my path to make sure I didn't trip. If there were any eyes on us as we crossed the street, I no longer cared.
Once inside the store, people began greeting Gideon. Several called him "Mouse." When I began laughing, Gideon threatened to introduce me to Mr. Mulvaney who apparently had a tendency to spit when he spoke. I forgot all about feeling embarrassed about my condition until one particular younger woman that stopped us to talk to Gideon—actually, talk was the wrong word, because she was clearly flirting with him—took notice of me and said, "Oh dear, who's this poor fella here? Can't you see, honey?"
"Why no, Delia, he can’t," Gideon responded. "So no need to worry about blinding him with that jacket you’re wearing."
I found myself smiling at the sarcasm in Gideon's voice, but Delia clearly didn't get it because she said, "Ain't it just the prettiest thing you ever saw? These are genuine rhinestones." Her Southern accent sounded very much rehearsed and while I had no clue what she looked like, I would've been able to smell her from a mile away. She might as well have bathed in Chanel perfume. My assistant wore the same fragrance but understood the concept of less is more. From what Gideon had said about the woman’s choice of outerwear, she didn't share that same sensibility. Either way, Gideon had taken one for the team because Delia promptly forgot all about me and began flirting with Gideon again.
"Will I be seeing you at the pancake breakfast at the firehouse next Sunday?" Delia asked.
"No," Gideon said simply and then took my arm to lead me away. The clicking of heels on linoleum meant that his abruptness hadn't done the trick. I felt bad that we couldn’t move any quicker because Delia had no trouble keeping up with us.
"But I've already bought you a ticket. If you don't go, I'll have to return it and get my fifteen dollars back," she whined.
"That money benefits the firehouse, Delia," Gideon said. "They use the proceeds to buy much-needed fire equipment."
"So you'll come," Delia said excitedly, completely missing the point. I heard Gideon growl under his breath and I could easily imagine the words that would come out of his mouth next. I'd already determined that Gideon didn't have much patience for foolishness.
I nearly crossed my arms so I could stand back and just listen to whatever he was gonna go off on her with, so I was completely unprepared when he said, "Sorry, Delia, Lex and I already have plans."
"We do?" I said in surprise at the same time that Delia said, "Lex? Lex who?"
I absently wondered if the woman had long nails because the way she said my name made me want to cover my face so she wouldn't scratch my eyes out. I actually found myself smiling at my own ridiculous joke.
“Lex Luthor,” Gideon said to Delia. To me he firmly insisted, “We do. Don't you remember?"
I shook my head. "No, no, I don't."
"So, you're free," Delia quickly interjected.
"No, I'm not free. Lex, we really need to get your memory checked. Remember, you asked me to show you how to ice fish before the lakes around here thaw too much?"
"Um, no… the only thing I remember you mentioning is that I should meet Mr. Mulvaney so he could spi—"
"So, yeah, Delia, Lex and I have plans to go ice fishing on Sunday."
I nearly began to laugh when Gideon squeezed my arm hard. Not hard enough to hurt, but to send a message.
"Right, ice fishing," I said. "I've always wanted to see fish swimming in… the ice. Well, not see, literally," I added, barely able to restrain myself. "But Gideon here has promised to describe them to me."