Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 70106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“Huh,” is grunted alongside an uncomfortable neck scratch. “I guess I…er…um…we…never did...take you out.” Another cringe is flashed. “Or even…I mean…We uh…never even asked, did we?”
“Nope.” Her expression remains mirthful. “You two just did a whole caveman bit.”
More winces mindlessly escape.
“Lucky for both of you that I’m kinda into it.” A wink is sweetly sent in my direction. “When it comes to you two that is.”
It’s my turn to let heat creep into my cheeks.
“I actually…haven’t been on a real date since…” the end of her sentence not only noticeably fades, it causes her stare to fall to her Converse covered feet. After a brief moment of silence, she swallows whatever it is she’s uncomfortable discussing and meets my stare again. “Let’s just say it’s been a while.”
Knowing if I push her for more information on the missing portion of the conversation, I’ll be simultaneously pushing her away is what leads to me simply picking up the container to resume the last task. “What’s a while?”
“Few years.”
I effortlessly remove the top at the same time I ask, “Where do you wanna go?”
“Is that really how you ask a woman out?”
“It’s how I ask our woman out,” I poke back during the careful pouring. “And wherever she wants to go, is where we’ll take her. Chinese. Japanese. Thai-”
“So, Asian cuisine? Is this somehow tied to your Speed Racer obsession?”
“Doesn’t have to be Asian. It can be Italian. Or Indian. Or fusion. We would try fusion! Crystal Waters has a number of those. Plus, if we do that, Nolan’ll spend at least thirty-five minutes tryin’ to figure out what to order, which is like a Broadway production, so really you’ll be gettin’ dinner and a show.”
Another round of snickers bounces around the garage.
That’s the other reason I want her down here.
I wanna hear that sound.
Fuck, I have never loved a sound as much as that one.
Admittedly the rumble Nolan makes when he comes is a close second.
But that’d be weird to listen to while rotating tires or refilling windshield wiper fluid.
No one needs to pop a pocket wrench as he’s dealing with lug nuts.
“For my birthday last year,” I precede wanting her to stay open and chatting like a normal girlfriend would, “we went and tried sushi pizza-”
“That sounds disgusting.”
“Wasn’t my favorite,” leaves my mouth post screwing the cap in place. “Too much seaweed crust.”
“And that sounds disturbing.”
“Nolan gave up after a slice and a half and told me he’d just grab a burger on our way to see Ford v Ferrari at the drive in.”
“There’s a drive in here?”
“Technically, it’s in Crystal Waters – like most shit – but it’s closer to our town line, so when they do events, we tend to see an uptick in out of towners hitting The Grand Cannory for beer or snacks or The Dig Site for post movie meals.” Pausing occurs to meet her bright-eyed stare once more. “We can do that too if you want.”
Rather than agree or disagree, she sweetly coos, “I don’t know. I may want.”
“You’re open to it?”
“When it comes to you, I’m open to a lot.”
One dopey, bashful grin is given prior to me lowering the vehicle back to the ground, shutting the hood, and testing to make sure everything is good to go for the client.
Around the time I’m sliding out of the driver’s seat, completely finished for the day, its owner, Dwight Toth, comes cockily strolling away from Nolan’s truck, eyes set on the last fucking thing they should be.
You know if he doesn’t wanna end up having to replace a taillight and some teeth.
“Now, this is what I call customer service,” Toth states during a slow rubbing of his pale palms. “You look just like the woman that’s been on my mind all day…”
“Gross,” Bunny instantly retorts prompting me to lightly chuckle.
“Call me Toth, baby.”
“Pass.”
“Daddy works too.”
“It doesn’t.”
“Come on now,” he sleazily precedes, body approaching hers in a way that makes me tense way more than her. “Is that anyway to treat the man that’s putting money on your paycheck? That same paycheck you used to buy that lacy red bra I bet matches your panties.”
Clenching my fists can’t be helped.
One good pop would shut him up a lot faster.
Sure, I’d lose a customer, but he’s just a fucking snowbird.
There’ll be plenty of others to take his place.
There always are.
I miss my opportunity to deck him when Bunny leans slightly forward to offer him a nasty smirk. “Good thing I’m not.”
“She ain’t an employee, Toth,” I forcefully remind upon my approach, fingers still itching for a punch.
“Oh,” the arrogant grin deepens, “even…better…” He slides his frame directly in front of her. “It means when we hook up, we aren’t breaking any rules then.”
Before Bunny even has a chance to respond to his comment, his hand reaches out to brush itself along her thigh, prompting me to instantaneously intervene by grabbing a hold of his ring and pinky finger.