Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“You thought about me?”
“Yes, for a very long time. I didn’t know anything else about your divorce and couldn’t find any information, though the girl who was attacked swore you did it because she stole your husband. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to ask. Does your ex have a brain tumor?”
I don’t know why that made me laugh. “I’m serious; they say sometimes people act out of character when they have those and don’t know it.”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“And, do you want to try to patch things up down the line?”
“I don’t think so.”
“You don’t think so?”
“No, I don’t want to.”
My heart was beating so fast that I felt like I was going to pass out. “But, I should tell you, I’m not into casual flings.”
“Do you even know the words to this song? Should I ask him to play it again?”
DAMON
Unbelievable, and to think I wasn’t planning on coming here tonight. I can’t believe she’s here. I hadn’t planned on seeing her again; divorce is a tricky thing, especially one that’s relatively new. I’ll have to take it slow and give her time to heal.
Is she even ready for anything casual, let alone serious? I pulled her in closer without realizing, my thoughts sending messages to my arms. I knew she would feel like this, the perfect fit. I wanted this, but I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t expect to see her here tonight, and I thought I had already settled it in my mind that I wouldn’t go there.
But as soon as I saw her, all the walls I’d built up in the last few weeks just seemed to shatter. She looks amazing, though my image of her will always be that relaxed she had, fresh from sitting by the pool, her hair not exactly neat and just a softness that called out to me.
“What are you feeling right now?”
“Like I can’t breathe. Like the world is moving too fast.”
“Have you ever felt that before?” She shook her head, and I looked into her eyes, trying to read her. She was scared out of her mind.
“I know what you’ve just been through, so we can do this, or not do this, at your pace. But just in case there’s anyone who’s been waiting to snatch you up as soon as the ink dried on your divorce, I’m putting in my bid. I want you.”
JOLENE
If he’d pushed after that, I would’ve had an excuse to never want to see him again. But he had to go and be perfect. After the song ended, he didn’t even try to linger, cop a feel, nothing. He just took me back to the table with the others and told us to enjoy the rest of our night.
“Girl, what was he whispering in your ear? From over here, it looked like he was nibbling on your neck.” Maeve was all but jumping in her seat.
“You lucky bitch. Freshly divorced and pulled the hottest man in the place, bar none.” Sheila teased, making me blush.
“I don’t even know what’s going on. I told you about him, remember? When he came to the house. Shit, Sheila, why did you kick me again? Anyway, Maeve, he came to question me about beating up that child, and I have to tell you the thoughts that went through my mind that day. If my divorce had been final…”
“What would you have done if your divorce had been final?” I almost gave myself whiplash at the sound of his voice coming from directly behind me. I’m almost certain his smile was way more confident this time like it needed any improvement.
“I…we.” I couldn’t find the words, and I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole. “What are you doing here?”
“I was coming to give you my number, but I think I’ll do that some other time.” He started to walk away. “By the way, how are you ladies getting home tonight?”
“Sheila’s husband is picking us up.”
“Which means he has to come all the way out here and then go back. Sheila, why don’t you call him and tell him you’ll be getting a ride home?” He didn’t even wait around for an answer; just turned and carried on walking.
“Wait, what does that mean? He doesn’t wanna give me his number?”
“Does that look like a man that doesn’t want to give you his number? If I were you, I would wear clean drawers for the rest of the week.” Maeve was still checking out his ass as he walked into the crowd. I was afraid to move.
“Or none.” Sheila cackled like a hen.
“I know that’s right.” The two of them high-fived each other while I tried to cool down the heat in my cheeks with my hands.
“Well, we might as well go; we’ve got work to do.”
“What work, Maeve?”
She was already gathering her stuff.