Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
“You’re really amazingly talented, you know that?”
“Thank you. I’ve been practicing for a while.”
Nina and I sat on that couch talking intimately until one in the morning. Minute by minute, we’d slowly inched closer together until she was leaning her head on my shoulder. I ended up telling her the whole story about how I found my sister. I also told her something that few people knew about, that my mother also had a second daughter born out of wedlock who died as a teenager. Nina was floored that I, too, had lost a sibling even though I never got a chance to know Amanda.
She also opened up to me more about the situation with her loser ex and the circumstances of their breaking up. Spencer had cheated on her with a girl he worked with. Hearing how badly he’d hurt her made me want to hunt him down.
Nina was still wide awake when she asked, “Aren’t you tired?”
“Sleep is overrated. I’d rather be up talking to you.”
An idea came to mind, and I got up to get my coat.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be right back. I’ll be gone about ten minutes. Don’t fall asleep.”
Nearly freezing my ass off, I literally ran down the street. It felt like I was high off of her, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the warmth of being next to her.
There was a small 24-hour grocery store about two blocks away. The bells on the door chimed as I blew through the entrance.
Weaving through the aisles, I scanned the market for what I was looking for.
I paid the cashier, not bothering to collect the change from my five-dollar bill.
Reentering the apartment, I was out of breath. Nina was still sitting in the same spot.
“Where the heck did you go?”
“Hang on. I’ll be there in a minute.” I took the paper bag into the kitchen and got out two plates. Removing the Hostess cupcakes from the packaging, I placed a single candle inside each.
Nina covered her mouth in surprise as I set the plates down on the coffee table. With a flick of my lighter, I lit both candles.
“Let’s celebrate Jimmy tonight. He’d be disappointed with anything less than these gourmet confections.”
Her eyes turned watery. She looked up at the ceiling for a moment and looked like she was sending him a silent message. It was simply beautiful to watch.
“I can’t believe you did this. Thank you,” she said as she blew out the candle.
I blew mine out too, and we inhaled the cupcakes in silence. Remnants of frosting coated her lips, and I yearned to lick it off.
A few minutes later, Ryan walked into the kitchen for a middle of the night glass of water and dampened the mood. He didn’t acknowledge us but gave me the evil eye before walking back to his room.
“What’s his problem?” Nina asked.
“He doesn’t like you hanging out with me.”
“Screw him. I don’t care what he thinks. He doesn’t know you like I do.”
You don’t know me like you think you do, baby.
My jaw tightened. “He’s said stuff to you about me?”
She put her plate down and hesitated. “He just thinks you’re not good for me and has no real basis for it. He’s judging you by your looks.” She nudged my shirt and chills ran down the length of my body. “I happen to like your looks, and what’s inside even more.”
I slid away from her, my heart pounding because I was this close to telling her everything. My voice lowered to a whisper. “Did you ever wonder whether Ryan could be right?”
“No,” she said defensively. “I may not know everything about you, but I know how you make me feel. Whatever happens…I’m just really glad I met you, Jake.”
I feel it too, Nina.
Her statement had an ominous undertone. Whatever happens. I’d known for a while that she suspected I was hiding something. The difference now was that our relationship was at a level where it would be impossible to go much longer without telling her. I still needed to figure out when and how.
She repositioned her head on my shoulder. Being close to her like that for a prolonged amount of time was taking its toll on me. At one point, I leaned in closer and breathed in the clean scent of her hair. Then, she turned her face toward me. Our mouths were just inches apart, but I knew if I kissed her like I craved, I wouldn’t be able to stop, so I turned my head away. Getting physical with Nina was not an option right now.
When the mood became too tense for our tired minds to handle, out of nowhere she asked, “Have you ever ice skated?”
“That’s a random question.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Rockefeller Center around Christmas time, like I’ve always seen in the movies. I don’t want to go alone, and I know the subway ride and crowds are gonna make me anxious. Would you go with me?”