Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Lisa gave me a knowing look. She was quite excited about this turn of events.
The one with the construction boots, whom Lisa had said was cute, had seated himself next to me. He held out his hand. “I’m Neil.”
I took it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Carly.”
“Are you married?” he asked.
“No.”
“Boyfriend?”
Forcing a grin, I repeated, “No.”
“Okay. I just didn’t want to be inappropriate.”
“I appreciate you asking.”
We got to talking, and I began to warm up to the whole situation. It turned out, Neil had grown up in Woodsboro and managed a construction company. We made easy conversation while his friend, Rob, chatted up Lisa.
Neil was handsome with classic features. I wouldn’t put him in the same category of hotness as Brad and Josh, but looks were only part of the equation. He seemed to have a pleasant, down-to-earth personality and most importantly, kind eyes.
But despite the fact that I was enjoying his company, I felt uncomfortable giving him too much personal information. So I kept my current situation a bit generic, only divulging that I was in town helping a friend with a personal issue, and I would only be here temporarily.
The guys bought us another round of drinks and a couple more appetizers. Our impromptu party of four continued over the next hour.
My phone chimed a little after 10 PM. It was a text from Josh, so I excused myself to the bathroom so I didn’t seem rude while texting him back.
Josh: I swore I wouldn’t bother you unless I absolutely had to, but I can’t for the life of me find Scottie’s underwear. He’s been freeballing it for the past hour.
I laughed as I typed.
Carly: I did a whole load of laundry this morning. Everything is folded in a basket that’s hidden in my bedroom closet. I didn’t want him to get into the clothes like he sometimes does. You know how he likes to throw everything around.
A minute later he responded.
Josh: Ah! It’s like a gold mine of underwear in here. Thanks.
Carly: You’ll have to sift through it to find his.
Josh: I assume the black thong ain’t it. ;-)
Carly: No. That’s mine.
Josh: Well, it WAS yours. Now it’s mine.
Before I could figure out how to respond to that, he wrote back.
Josh: Just kidding. But why did I imagine that Miss Organic Lemon Pits wore granny panties?
My eyes widened. Ew!
Carly: Well, the thong is organic cotton, so…
Josh: Ah! I knew there had to be something weird about it. So, even your ass eats organic? Picky little thing, it is.
Carly: OMG! You’re nuts.
Josh: My nuts are gluten free.
Carly: Josh! LMAO
Josh: Sorry, I have the sillies. Must be going crazy from listening to an hour straight of “Bennie and the Jets” backwards. I’m about to choke myself to death with your thong.
Carly: You can put it down now.
Josh: You mean take it out of my pocket?
Carly: That’d be great.
Josh: Maybe you’ll meet someone at The Bar who’ll get to enjoy your organic cotton thong.
I hesitated.
Carly: I have met someone here actually. He’s nice.
Josh didn’t respond after that. So I assumed he wasn’t going to. But about five minutes after I returned to the table, my phone pinged again. I looked down casually to read the text.
Josh: Well, that’s good. I had no doubt it wouldn’t take long.
My thoughts were stuck on his message until I reminded myself to refocus my attention on the people at my table.
As we were readying to leave, Neil asked for my number. “I’d love to see you again,” he said with a smile.
I couldn’t think of a reason to say no. I knew I needed this distraction badly. “Sure. That would be great.”
He handed me his phone, and I entered my number.
“Cool,” he said as I gave it back. “I’ll call you this week, and maybe we can arrange something for next weekend, if you’re not too busy?”
“I don’t have any plans, so that should work,” I told him, though I’d have to clear it with Josh.
“Wonderful.” He leaned in and gave me a hug that ended in a gentle squeeze. “It was great meeting you, Carly.”
I respected the fact that he didn’t try to kiss me. That would’ve been way too soon. “You, too, Neil.”
Lisa hugged her prospect goodbye as well, and we watched from in front of the bar as the guys each got into their respective trucks. Lisa’s brother-in-law had offered to be our designated driver tonight and was due to arrive any second.
Lisa looked up at the night sky and sighed. “Holy crap. Can you imagine if we both just met our future husbands tonight?”
Is she serious? That made me want to vomit. “Whoa.” I laughed. “I think that might be a little far-fetched to even ponder. You like Rob that much already?”
“Honestly? Yeah,” she said. “What’s not to like? He’s adorable and has a great job as an engineer. But I agree, my optimism might be a bit overboard.”