Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“You know what I mean,” she hisses. “You think you’re clever? Figuring out where I live by calling my place and having my mom pick up?”
“Hey, that’s not my fault,” I say, raising my hands. “I only passed on the message.”
“No, you lied,” she whispers.
“Did I?” I show her the bag again. “I have food, just as promised.”
“What are you even trying to do?” she asks, putting her hand against her side.
“Nothing. I’m just here to make peace,” I say, licking my lips. She definitely reacts to that because her eyes follow my tongue.
Fuck, I love it when she does that.
“For what?” she asks. “You were pretty clear last time.”
“Because I know I was an ass,” I say, shrugging. “I admit it.”
“You’re always an ass,” she retorts.
“Kat!” her mother shouts from the living room. “I heard that.”
“I deserve that,” I reply.
“Just let the gentleman in already. He’s your … friend, right?”
The way her mom says the word friend like it’s some special status only important men get makes me snort, and Kat immediately retaliates by slapping my arm. “Stop doing that!”
“Stop what?”
“Stop pretending we’re some kind of happy couple or some shit for my mother. We’re not,” she mutters under her breath.
“I never said we were,” I say. “I’m just here to bring food. That’s it.”
“Great, then can we eat already?” her mom hollers.
“Gladly. If you’ll let me in,” I say, gazing directly into Kat’s eyes.
She rubs her lips together a few times, mulling it over while staring at me intently.
“Food’s getting cold,” I whisper.
She sighs out loud, on purpose, probably to let me know how badly I fucked up again, but this time, I did it on purpose. I knew there was no other way to get her to talk to me than to find out where she lived and just come over.
At first, I was going to track her down online using the number, but when I called and her mom picked up, it was the perfect excuse to find out more.
Am I a stalker? Maybe. But so is she, considering all the things she did to find me, so I call this an eye for an eye. Besides, I’m not here to act like an asshole again. I’ve learned that doesn’t get me far with her.
And I don’t want to give her up just yet.
“So are you going to let me in?” I ask, cocking my head while holding the bag up.
“Ugh, fine.” She opens the door wide. “But”—she places a finger on my chest, stopping me halfway through the door—“don’t tell my mom anything about any of the shit we’ve done.”
“All right,” I say. “Wasn’t even contemplating it.”
“And take off your shoes,” she says, gazing down at them.
It takes me three seconds to kick them off. “Anything else, milady?”
“Don’t call me that,” she hisses, almost like a real kitty. I’m amused.
“Got it, KittyKat,” I say as I pass her, ignoring her obvious growl. I place the food on the table and say, “Nice place you’ve got.”
“Thanks,” she replies, closing the door loudly.
“He’s never been over?” her mom asks.
“No, Mom. He’s a friend from … work.”
I turn my head so she can see my obvious confusion at what she means with work, but she doesn’t seem to care.
“From the office?” Meredith asks.
“Yeah, from the office, Kat?” I ask, raising a brow while I go through her kitchen in search of plates.
“No, different … work. Please, don’t ask, Mom,” Kat says, as she sits down at the table while trying to pretend I’m not here.
“Okay.” Her mom makes a difficult face.
“It’s complicated,” I say, winking at them as I place the plates and cutlery down.
“Ooh …” Her mom chuckles.
Kat takes a sip from her glass of water and rolls her eyes.
Meredith gasps. “So you’re her boyfriend?”
Kat almost chokes on her water. “No, no!” she repeats. “Not boyfriend.”
“Then what?” Her mom unpacks the food while I sit down too.
“An acquaintance,” I fill in to make it easier.
“Oh … Well, I must say, I’m happy for you to join us,” Meredith says, smiling.
“Glad to be of service with some tasty food.”
“Hmm … Tell me about it,” Meredith mumbles, taking a sniff. “It smells lovely.”
Kat can’t stop rolling her eyes. She’s probably wishing tonight was already over, but I’m not going anywhere right now. Not until we’ve had a chance to talk in private. And until then, I’ll continue to play my part.
“Kat, would you like some crunchy wontons?” I ask, grinning as I hold them out to her.
She doesn’t even seem remotely happy about it as I place them on her plate, but I know she wants them. Her stomach is growling, and I’m sure her mouth is watering by now.
“What would you have done if I hadn’t come?” I ask.
“Ordered takeout myself,” she growls.
Her mom laughs. “We had a dinner date, and she forgot.”