Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Maybe I’ll like them too.” Her fingernails gently scrape my scalp, and I shudder, jumping back a few feet.
We have a brief stare-off while the washing machine gurgles. She blinks first. I’m not sure if that means she’s won or lost. But then she grins because she did that on purpose.
“You’re taking me to the party.” She flicks a resolute nod at me before spinning on her heels and strolling out of the laundry room.
“Why would I do that?” I follow her.
She glances over her shoulder and grins while curling her hair behind her ear. “Because I’m the best you’ve ever had, Fitz.”
“The best what?”
“You’ll see.”
The last time Gary hosted a party, a fire started in the kitchen. His wife called 911. Sixteen firefighters attended, and she called 911 for a small stove fire. I hope this party is less eventful, but I have an uneasy feeling about it because Jamie is anything but predictable. And she’s sure as fuck not punctual. We were supposed to leave a half hour ago.
I knock on her shed door.
“Come in.”
Jamie’s floral scent and a Taylor Swift song from her Alexa greet me.
She eyes my reflection in her mirror while applying lip gloss. “Are we fake dating or just best buds? How much alcohol are you allowed to have? And do I prevent you from having sex or just make sure you’re properly fitted with a condom?”
“You’re already proving to be an inferior plus-one. Not the best I’ve ever had. I’ve never needed to tell Maren any of that information. She just gets me.”
“Oh, I get you, Fitz.” Jamie rubs her lips together and caps her lip gloss. “The alpha personality that allows you to jump out of planes and fight fires is struggling. You need it. And an idle winter feels like torture. I’ve rattled the structure on which you thrive—the new roommate shifting the dynamics around here.”
I scoff, surveying the tiny space. “Nice try.”
Jamie shoves her feet into chunky black boots that look too big for her body. She’s jaw dropping in black tights, a short denim skirt, a low-cut black top, and silver hoop earrings peeking out beneath her straight black hair. Her tan and freckles have faded a few shades lighter. She’s fucking gorgeous, but I’ll never say those words to anyone.
“How do I look?” She threads her arms through her puffy white jacket.
“Late.” I glance at my watch. “You look thirty minutes late.”
“It’s a party. Can you really be late for a party?” She squeezes past me, opening the door.
“If they run out of Gary’s famous ribs, then yes. We’ll be too late to the party, and it will be your fault.”
Jamie navigates around the house to her Jeep like a prancing antelope taking its favorite path to avoid areas of slushy snow, mud, and muck.
I give her directions to Gary’s house, but I don’t know why she’s driving. There’s a slim chance I’ll drink enough to need a driver. I don’t trust her. Okay, I don’t trust myself with her unless I’m in my right mind.
When we arrive, Jamie steps out of the Jeep, wearing her signature smart-ass grin. “Do you have a girlfriend pet name for me or just a best-bud name? I’m not a fan of ‘princess,’ but ‘queen’ is fine.”
“Just get the fuck inside.”
That grin doubles. She’s a lot.
“This is a great house.” She stops halfway up their steep driveway, gawking at the cream-and-redbrick two-story Queen Anne–style house, complete with an asymmetrical front facade hugged by a wraparound porch and a conical roof over the polygonal front corner tower.
“It’s fine,” I mumble, pressing my hand to her back, encouraging her to keep walking.
When she slides her gaze to me, I keep my eyes straight ahead of us, despite my grin. Yes, it’s a great house.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa . . .” Gary appears before we get the door shut behind us. He squeezes my shoulder with one hand and hands me a beer with his other. “Did you bring a real girlfriend to my party?”
“You’ve met Jamie. She’s my roommate. Maren couldn’t make it.”
Jamie pays no attention to us as her bug eyes survey the entry that’s technically the parlor. Gary’s wife, Evette, insisted they keep the character of the home. The rooms are small, but the ceilings are tall, and each space has an abundance of embellishments, such as elaborate dark woodwork, colorful stained glass windows, and embossed botanical wallpaper in muted green-and-gold tones. For a good time, I could mention the burgundy velvet drapes just to see Gary lose his shit.
“Uh . . .” Jamie shakes her head. “Nice to see you again. Happy birthday.” She whips out a bubbly voice and face-splitting grin while giving him a quick hug.
Jamie’s rousing personality shines for everyone but me. I bring out something in her; I’m not sure what that is yet.