Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“I gotta say, you’re the first client I’ve had who’s done that.”
I look at Tide’s smiling face upside down, and my cheeks warm. God, I’m such a dork, and I didn’t even think about what I was doing.
“It’s really nice carpet,” I admit, and he surprises me by joining me on the floor.
“You’re right. It is nice.” He turns his head my way as his fingers brush mine. “Have you put anything in your stomach besides the Coke I saw you grab earlier?”
“I had a candy bar.”
“A candy bar?” He raises one brow.
“It had nuts in it,” I inform him, then hold my breath as he rolls to his side and looms over me.
“That doesn’t make it a meal.” He smiles, touching his fingers to my cheek. “You have really soft skin.”
“Umm… thanks.” I dig my nails into my palms to keep from touching him, then relax when he pushes up off the ground.
“Let’s go eat.”
“Do you mean let’s go pick up food?”
“No, I mean we are going to a restaurant, parking, and going inside to eat.”
Nodding at first, I then start to shake my head. “I’m not dressed to go out to eat.”
“Babe, we’re going to get burgers at Banger’s, not lobster at…” His brows drag together. “Fuck, I don’t know where you can get lobster around here besides the grocery store and Red Lobster. But wherever you can get expensive-ass lobster, we’re not going there.”
Pressing my lips together to keep from laughing, I nod again. “All right, but at least let me brush my hair and put on jeans.” I head for the mouth of the living room without giving him a chance to stop me.
When I get to my room, I quickly strip out of my yoga pants that I don’t actually wear to do yoga in. I change into a pair of jeans that are a little snug, but not so snug I won’t be able to eat, then I grab a slouchy sweater from my closet and slip it on while pushing my feet into a pair of flats. Dressed, I go to the bathroom to pull my hair out of my ponytail and run a brush through it. Then, because I’m going out with Tide to a restaurant, I add a couple of swipes of mascara, a little blush, and some gloss before I grab my bag and head downstairs. When I reach the living room, I find him lying on the couch, and I have to admit I could get used to finding him there.
“Ready,” I call, and when he doesn’t answer, I slip off my shoes and walk toward him, smiling when I hear his soft snore. “Tide?” I lean down to grab his shoulder, and his eyes flutter open. “Hey, you fell asleep.” I start to move back, but he grasps my wrist, startling me, then leans up, bringing our faces closer together. “We don’t have to go to dinner,” I whisper as his eyes roam over my face and hair. “You’re obviously tired. You should just head home and go to bed.”
“I’m taking you out to eat. I’ll sleep later tonight.” He lets me go as he sits up, and I step back to give him room to stand.
“Are you sure?” I ask, and he eyes me again, then nods.
“I’m sure.” He pulls his keys out of his pocket as he walks toward the door, and I slip on my shoes, then follow him out of the house, wondering what the hell is going on the entire drive to town.
“So I thought you were joking when you said we were going to Banger’s Burgers.” I break the silence as he pulls into a packed parking lot, finding a space on the side of the glowing red building. “But it’s an actual place.”
“Banger’s is owned by Lucas Brown. I don’t know if you remember him, but his nickname when we played football was Banger.”
“So this is his place?” I ask, suddenly feeling nervous about the idea of running into my old classmates, even if it’s likely they won’t remember me.
“Yeah, a few years ago, he and his wife moved back to town and opened this place up. I think they have another Banger’s Burgers opening up in Nashville soon.”
“That’s impressive.” I unhook my seatbelt when he does, then open my door to get out, only to find him there the moment my feet hit the pavement. When he takes my hand, it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask if he holds his sister’s hand, but I swallow down the snarky question and let him lead me into the restaurant. The moment we step inside, I know why the place is such a hit. The atmosphere feels like a party, upbeat music is playing through the speakers in the ceiling and people are up and about playing at the arcade machines around the room, with laughter filling the air.