Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
The interior smells like Gage, stirring up memories of last night, and what it felt like to wake up in his arms.
My desire to be in his arms again is palpable.
Looking around inside, I’m pretty positive this is the exact same car I was in with him, and I’m exasperated that he would give up his own car for me. He must have paid for a ride home this morning or called a friend to pick him up, and I need to find out if he actually does have something else to drive. If not, I’m definitely giving his keys back, no matter what he says.
This was very gallant of him, but I can’t let him put himself out for me. Fantasyland depends on everything staying lighthearted, emotionally-charged nighttime encounters notwithstanding.
Though there are nicer places to shop, I head for the mall we used to go to when I was young.
Many of the smaller stores there are different now, but all but one of the main department store anchors are still in business. Though we sometimes browsed in those and took advantage of an occasional sale, the majority of my childhood clothing came from bargain retailers and thrift stores.
Today, it feels like an achievement to look through the racks at the most upscale of the stores and not worry too much about the prices. I’m not wealthy by any means, and my life is currently in a state of limbo, but I’ve come a long way, and I’m proud of the hard work I put in to get here.
Shopping is always a great distraction, but even now, I can’t get the men out of my head. As I try on outfits, I can’t help but wonder what Gage would think of a certain blouse, or Kai a skirt. Thorn is probably the one who’ll see me most often in my work clothes, and he’s definitely on my mind as well.
The selection of swimsuits is down to one small rack in a back corner at this time of year, so I decide to look online for that. I buy a few work outfits, with a lot of versatile mix-and-match pieces, and a couple of casual items for relaxing. The lingerie department catches my eye on the way to the register, but I resist.
Maybe I’ll come back for that after my first paycheck.
For dinner, I go down to the hotel’s restaurant. I can’t deny that I’m hoping to see Thorn again, but he doesn’t appear. It’s probably his night off, or maybe he’s just busy in the kitchen.
I’m disappointed, but I tell myself it’s a good thing. I really do need this alone time to process my thoughts.
For better or worse, the evening brings even more alone time.
I was sure Kai would call, or maybe Gage, but I don’t hear from either of them. This bothers me more than I want to admit, and I’m too restless to settle down to read or even watch a movie.
I’m staring blankly at the view from my sliding glass door when my mom calls. The high-pitched tone of her voice is half an octave shy of panic. “Lexy, what’s going on? Where are you?”
“I’m okay, Mom. Everything’s fine.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m still in Nevada. Sorry, I should have told you.”
She lets out a long breath, and then her voice is noticeably more relaxed, though still edged with concern when she asks, “Why are you still there?”
“Scott and I broke up.”
“I figured that out this evening when he showed up on my doorstep with a box of your stuff. He seemed to think you might be here. What are you still doing there?”
I step out onto the patio for some fresh air to counteract the flare of anger at Scott. “We broke up here at the wedding. He had no business bothering you.”
“He was okay. Just took me by surprise, is all. He said when he got home from work, most of your stuff was cleared out, and he figured you did it. He brought over some things that were still there.”
Hillary must have gone to our place, I think. Then I mentally correct myself. His place.
“How kind of him.” I can’t keep the irritation from my voice, though I suppose he didn’t do anything wrong in this particular situation, as long as he wasn’t harassing my mother.
“Are you okay, Lexy?” Her voice is soft now, like a hug.
But actually, it’s amazing how very much okay I am. “I’m fine. Really. The breakup was ugly but brief. I’m still in Vegas because there was a hotel owner at Dad’s wedding who offered me a wedding planner position at her resort. It’s just temporary, but the timing was perfect.”
“You’re no longer working for Scott’s family?”
“Apparently my employment with the Peytons was contingent on my relationship with him.”
“That’s not right.”