Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 135604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
“I think that’s really cool,” I told Jamie. His shoulder jerked. He was playing it off. “I’m serious. I do.”
“I get that, babe. And I appreciate you thinking somethin’ I’m doin’ is cool, but really, it ain’t a big deal,” he repeated. “I’ve done a bunch of these, and half the time they always end up pissing me the fuck off ’cause they ask questions that don’t got shit to do with surfing. That’s what I’m there to talk about. Hell, that’s what I’d rather be doin’ instead of some stupid interview. I just do ’em to bring business to Wax. Plus, my sponsors like it. Keeps them happy.”
“Well, I still think it’s cool. And I’m really looking forward to reading it,” I said with enthusiasm as I looked into the shadow of his face.
Maybe he’d mention me in the article …
I pinched my eyes shut. Really, Tori? Really? Then I quickly uncraned my neck and plopped my cheek against the pillow again.
I sighed. Do not even go there.
Jamie chuckled. His chest shook against my back. Then he kissed my neck before dropping back on the pillow behind me and, with his arm already tight around my body, gave me another squeeze.
My body instantly relaxed.
“Night, babe,” he murmured.
“Night,” I murmured back. I closed my eyes with Jamie McCade in my bed, and although this wasn’t the first time he was sleeping over, not even the second, it definitely felt like it was.
* * *
It was the next day, the lunch rush was starting to pick up, and I was having the best time working alongside my best girl.
We didn’t get many shifts together now that Syd worked full-time at the hospital, so when we did, I cherished them.
No way was anything getting me down today.
“So Sunday dinner is canceled this week,” Syd informed me, coming to stand behind the bar, where I was currently pouring drinks.
I set the pitcher of water on the counter, turned my head to look at her, and frowned. Well, okay, maybe there were some things that could get me down today. I loved Sunday dinner.
“Why?” I asked. “Do you need to cover a shift?”
Syd shook her head. “My mom wants to meet Brian.” Her eyes widened and she laughed lightly. “Crazy, right? I wasn’t expecting it either.”
I turned to face Syd, giving her my full attention. This was huge.
“She does? What happened to her not being supportive and a massive bitch about the whole thing?” I asked.
Syd’s mom completely shut her out after she found out her daughter was living with Brian and moving on from Marcus, her ex-husband, who she was separated from. Didn’t have any interest in meeting the man who made her daughter the happiest she’d ever been and made that known.
I hated watching Syd go through that.
“Apparently she saw Marcus out with my replacement and let him have it right in the middle of a Sonic parking lot,” Syd replied.
A laugh erupted in my chest. “What? Really?”
She nodded, smiling a little. “Yep. When she got home afterward, she called and said she saw Marcus eating hot dogs and looking happy about burning in hell for his sins.”
“Oh, good Lord. Your mother.”
“I know.”
We both started laughing.
Syd shrugged. “Anyway, she said she’d like to meet Brian, and I thought we’d go up Saturday and maybe spend the night and come home late on Sunday. I want to show Brian where I grew up.”
She sounded disappointed, even though I knew she was bursting with joy inside about her mother coming around and possibly wanting to rebuild their relationship.
I reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “This is way more important than dinner, hon.”
Syd smiled. “I’m glad you think that,” she replied softly. “I think so, too.”
“We’ll skip a week. No biggie,” I assured, releasing her and grabbing the glasses I’d just filled. “Or maybe I’ll host it. That could be fun.”
“I’m sure Jamie would think so.”
I turned my head and looked at Syd, keeping a straight face while she offered up a gleaming smile and bright, knowing eyes.
“You need to spill the beans,” she added, stepping closer and pressing her fingertips to her mouth. Her voice raced with excitement.
“None to spill, hon. And I got tables.”
Syd narrowed her eyes. Her hands fell, revealing the smile she was still wearing. She held her hip with one hand and lifted her other to point at me. “You had a sleepover with Jamie McCade. I know you did. And you’ve been mysteriously quiet the past few days, which leads to me thinking you’ve now had several sleepovers with him.” She tipped forward, hand flattening on the bar and voice lowering when she added, “You have so many beans to spill, they are practically coming out of your eyeballs.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I returned, playing dumb as I stepped out from behind the bar.