Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
She shakes her head. “What are we doing, Baker?”
I stack up all her papers and lift her up from the couch. Grabbing on to her thighs, I pick her up, and her legs go around my waist. “I’m too big for you to carry.”
I walk with her in my arms down the hallway, “I’ve told you once and I’ll tell you again. You’re perfect.”
I lay her back on the bed and then strip down. She watches me closely as I slide into the bed, pulling the covers up over us. She curls into me, and her hand starts to slide down my chest. I grab it and hold it over my heart. “Not tonight. I want to, don’t get me wrong, but you need to rest.”
“Baker…”
I cut her off. “I told you I want to take care of you. Let me.”
She leans against me, and I hold her in my arms until she falls asleep. I lie awake, wondering how I can have her by my side just like this for the rest of my life.
CHAPTER 17
CASSIE
I woke up this morning in Baker’s bed.
I didn’t want to go to school, but I knew I should be there for Colby if he was there, so I got myself ready, smiled at the graded papers that were put back in my tote, and then kissed a sleeping Baker goodbye.
The day was uneventful if you don’t count my sister and Chloe both texting me insisting on girls’ night tonight. I don’t really feel up to it, and I’d rather go spend time with Baker, but I also know that I might need to talk to my sister and my friend about everything that’s going on.
So here I am at the Whiskey Whistler again, hoping not to get another repeat of the last time I was here.
With Chloe watching Elias in the corner, I turn to my sister. “How did the interview go?”
She takes a drink of her Margarita. “Surprisingly good.”
I roll my hand at her, needing more information. “And? What happened? Did you get the job?”
She nods. “I got a job… but not the job I was applying for.”
“What do you mean?”
She takes another big sip of her drink. Brook is happy, and I’m happy for her. She wants to get her own place, and this job could help her do it even sooner.
She leans forward. “Get this. Are you ready? I don’t know if you’re ready.”
“What?” I ask her.
She leans in. “I’m going to be Walker’s assistant. His personal assistant.”
I rear back in shock. “Uh… what… how did that happen?”
She lowers her voice and leans in. “I seriously have no fuckin’ clue. I went in and applied for one job, and they gave me another.”
She throws her hands up. “Cassie, I get health insurance, a big sign-on bonus, matching 401k, and a company car.”
I laugh in shock. “Are you kidding me? Brook, that’s amazing! I’m so proud of you.”
She nods. “I know, right? I’m pretty damn proud of myself.”
Chloe leans in. “I personally don’t know how you’ll do it. Walker is hot. Capital H O T.”
Brook fans herself, and I don’t even think she realizes she’s doing it. “Okay, enough about me. What about you? Why are you glowing?”
I instantly go on the defense. “Glowing? I’m not glowing. What are you talking about?”
Chloe leans in. “You’re definitely glowing.”
I guess the best defense is to go on offense. “So what happened the other night with you and Elias?”
She blushes. “Nothing. He’s leaving soon to go on tour to the Middle East.”
I grab on to Chloe’s hand. “Oh, Chloe. I’m so sorry. I see the way you two look at each other. That sucks. Maybe when he gets back…”
I let my voice trail off because she’s already shaking her head. “No, he said he’d probably be gone for two years. Maybe more.”
“Damn, that sucks. I’m sorry.”
She shrugs, trying to act as if it doesn’t bother her, but I can see that her heart is breaking. I look across the room at Elias, and he has the same forlorn look as Chloe. I have to believe that something will happen there.
Chloe brings me from my thoughts. “Uh-oh, the cops are here again. Are they going to need to break up another fight, Cassie?”
I can feel my whole body heat. I don’t even have to turn around to know that Baker has walked into the building. It’s like my body is on high alert when it comes to anything to do with him. Brook turns to the entrance. “Oh, it’s Baker.”
My mouth drops. “You know Baker?”
She looks at me as if I have three heads. “Uh, he is our stepbrother.”
Chloe gives me a knowing look. “Yeah, Cassie, he is your stepbrother.”
As he gets closer, Brook opens her arms. “Hey, big brother.”
I watch them hug, and it kills me. I know it’s innocent, but I still don’t like it.