Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
I crack one eye and glare at Shelby. “Nice way to throw me under the bus.”
She shrugs unapologetically. “Truth.”
“Since we’re being truthful, let’s talk about him,” Ginger inserts.
“Who?”
“Who else? Ford.”
“No one’s talking about Ford.”
“Not yet, but it’s obvious that is who you were daydreaming about.”
“Why would you assume that?” I press my lips together at my squeaky tone.
She grins triumphantly, sipping her wine before replying, “We mentioned Jewls and you went into la-la land. Jewls comes with Major… You can’t think of Major without thinking about Ace, Talon, and Ford. Since Ace is married and you have zero interest in Talon, that leaves Ford.”
“That’s a far stretch.”
“Is it?”
Shayla spins my chair to face her. “Fess up. We’re not stupid.”
“Fine, he flashed through my mind.”
“My guess is he lives rent-free in your mind frequently.”
I open my eyes fully and nod, admitting softly, “You’d be right.”
“When’s the last time you saw or spoke to him?”
“The day after Harley’s wedding.”
“That was over a month ago.”
Thirty-three days to be exact, but I keep that to myself.
“Thank God we stepped in,” Ginger stresses. “This is ridiculous.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You two have danced around each other for long enough. It’s time to step it up.”
“And what does step it up entail?” The tightness in my chest is back with fear of what these women have planned.
“You know about the Fourth of July party this weekend at the club, right?”
When Ford, Major, Talon, and Ace moved to Nashville to attend the police academy, they moved into Ford’s parents’ house. The property is more like a mansion on a hill in an upscale, exclusive neighborhood.
As the story goes, shortly after joining the force, the other rookies dubbed their home The Casanova Club because each of the guys kept their privacy.
The implication was tactless, but when Harley and Jewls uncovered the truth, they embraced the name.
Harley lived there with Ace for a short time while her house was being built. Now Jewls is doing the same with Major.
We’ve all spent a lot of time there.
The house isn’t exactly the Playboy mansion some believe it to be, but it’s still our central party spot.
“Yes, I know about this weekend.”
“You’re coming.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“I planned to come after we close the salon.”
Shayla slices her eyes to Ginger before bringing them back to mine. “Ford’s into you.”
“Doubtful. He’s just a nice guy.”
She lets out an over-exaggerated sigh loaded with discontent. “Ford Whitman is a fucking badass warrior with a deep, dark history. He’s trained in patience and purpose. He’s also the only one of them who has two sisters. Fortunate or unfortunate, this means he’s in tune with the sliver of femininity they instilled in him.”
“I’m not following. What do Carson and Addie have to do with this?”
“Carson and Addie are the reason his ass hasn’t been at your door every night, dragging you back to the club to sleep under his roof and in his bed.”
“That’s insane and barbaric.”
Her eyebrow shoots up again. “Barbaric? Yes. Insane? No. Need I remind you of Harley and Jewls?”
No need for a reminder. Harley Jacobs has been in love with Achilles Kingston since she was in high school. He felt the same. After a decade in the Marines, he came back to Nashville and they are now married.
Jewls and Major Powers didn’t have the same history, but their stories are similar. Major took his time, but once he staked his claim, it was lightning fast.
Absolutely nothing in common with my attraction to Ford. “Those are very different situations from mine.”
“Exactly, and you need to hear why.”
A part of me wants to argue because whatever she says is probably crap to make me feel better. And the last thing I need is any blooming hope that Ford may be interested.
“Ford walked in on a man about to rape you after beating you senseless.”
“I was there.” The memory slices through my chest.
“He was also there when you were assaulted in your home after interrupting a robbery.”
“Remember that, too.”
“He’s giving you time. His experience with two sisters gives him insight. He doesn’t want to come on too strong. It’s up to you to let him know you’re truly alright.”
“I’ve been alright since they shot two rounds in Craig Johns and ensured he was going to prison.”
“Tell him that.”
“Or better yet, show him. Make the first move,” Ginger adds merrily.
Shayla turns me back to the mirror, and my jaw drops at my reflection. She and Shelby take advantage of my speechlessness, high-fiving over my head.
My hair has light beach waves and is glossed to shine bright. I’m a professional cosmetologist, but Shayla’s outdone any of my work. “You need a job?” I only half-joke.
“Maybe, someday. Now we need to get you dressed.”
“The blue dress with gold heels,” Shayla decides.
“Isn’t that a little dressy for Tom’s? It’s a sports bar.”