Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
“They’re waiting. What do you want?” he asked, knocking down her theories like a bulldozer crashing into a ton of bricks.
“What? Wait a minute. All of that food was just for you?” she asked in shock.
He nodded, seeming genuinely confused as to why she’d ask such a thing.
“Uh, okay. I’d like the—”
“Oh, and this is all on one bill. Ring her shit up, I mean, her stuff, too, with mine.”
She placed her hand over her mouth, curtailing an urge to laugh at this whole situation. I’m so glad I have enough good sense to keep my thoughts to myself when I get like this. I was wrong about him a million times over. Thank God.
“Hurry and order, lady.” The woman frowned, her look almost menacing now.
You rude ass heffa…
“I am, lady. Can you give me a second to speak?”
“You holdin’ up line!” The lady waved her arm about.
“You act like this place is going to implode if I don’t speak at a hundred miles a minute. If you spent as much time putting some soap and water on these dirty floors and counters as you do running your mouth, you’d win the Mr. Clean Award of Louisville.” The woman tried to talk over her but got shut down fast like a raid on an illegal dog fighting ring. “This isn’t a James Bond movie. There’s no bomb about to go off if I don’t speak within three seconds! You talk to the cooks like trash. I don’t need to understand what you’re saying to know that—tone is universal—and you talk to these hardworking people in here, who are spending their money to get something to eat, as if you are doing them a favor by your mere existence. That’s Dr. Lady to you, and you’ve got me messed up. Please don’t let the attire fool you, sweetheart. I can get just as ig’nant as you in one second flat. I might be slow on the draw, but I’m fast on the blast. Good grief!”
Some people waiting in line burst out laughing, including Axel who was bent over at the waist, barely catching a breath and his eyes watering. However, English was dead serious, and she wasn’t going to be disrespected, especially in front of all these folks. Rudeness was a pet peeve of hers, and it riled her up to a fast rage. The woman, obviously annoyed by her response, began to mumble under her breath in Chinese.
“Now, I’d like the Moo Goo Gai Pan and a vegetable egg roll, please.” English grimaced and crossed her arms.
“That all?”
“…Yes.”
The woman rang everything up, and Axel pulled out his wallet and paid for their dinner. They got out of line and took a seat at one of the small wooden tables. The chairs rocked and wobbled like some amusement park ride. Sitting wide-legged across from her, he looked about as he tapped his fingers along the table.
Damn, he looks good… What is wrong with me? A pussy drought. That’s what’s wrong with me.
“You let Tao have it,” he said with a grin.
“Oh, you and she are on a first name basis?” She crossed her legs and smirked.
He nodded, then got up and grabbed his soda when called. Back at the table, he unwrapped his straw.
“I come in here at least once a week for lunch. Real good food. Big portions, too.”
“Is she always like that?”
“Grumpy? Mmm hmm.” He took a long draw from his drink, then shook the cup. “You want some?”
“No, I’m fine. Where are we going to eat the food? There are only two tables in here, and I figured we must be going someplace else to eat it.”
“My house.”
“Uh, I don’t think so, Axel.” She pressed her thighs together at the mere thought of it.
“Why not?” His brow rose, that same curious and confused expression on his face as earlier, when she’d asked about all the food he’d ordered for himself.
“Because I don’t know you like that. I don’t go to men’s houses that soon.”
“Men’s houses that soon?” He threw up his hand and looked taken aback. “I didn’t say we were eating in my bedroom, and then eating each other right afterwards.” He chuckled. “It would be relaxed and chill.”
“Uh huh… like Netflix and chill. Everyone knows where that leads.” She rolled her eyes.
“We’d eat in my living or dining room. The kitchen. Wherever you felt comfortable. I even have a balcony and patio if you want to sit outside. I could light the fire pit.”
“No, that’s okay.” She grabbed her purse and rustled around in it for her phone. “I just don’t think that’s appropriate.”
He rolled his eyes, laughed, and shook his head.
“Where should we go then, English, that would make you feel more at ease? A Catholic church? Ask to eat in the convent lunchroom?”
She ignored his little jab. “Maybe we can eat in your truck at a park?”