Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
I strolled to the Peet’s Coffee in Embarcadero Two—the second building in the cluster of four—and in the interest of trying something new I ordered a Mayan Mocha to go with my breakfast sandwich. Then I found a seat in the corner, put in my earbuds, and dialed up a soundtrack to accompany breakfast.
The drink turned out to be both chocolatey and spicy, with a hint of cinnamon and a kick of cayenne. While I was trying to decide how I felt about that, a text popped up from Jasper. It said: I’m sorry I was weird last night. I didn’t mean to drive you out of the apartment.
I replied: It’s totally fine. I know you’re worried about me, but I promise you don’t need to be.
His next message said: I can’t believe you’re awake. I figured you’d see this in like, three hours.
He knew me well. Right? Turns out doctors get up at the butt-crack of dawn. He’s already in the office, so I’m caffeinating and then I have some errands to run. See you later, hot stuff.
I lingered over breakfast, then took another walk since it was so early the shops weren’t open yet. Shortly after ten, I strolled into a fancy men’s clothing store in Embarcadero One and smiled at the young guy behind the counter. “Hi, I’m Ash,” I said, “and I’m pretty sure I’m about to make your day.”
At noon, I showed up at Wes’s office, and he introduced me to his friend Darrah. She was cute and curvy with thick, dark hair pulled back in an awkward low ponytail, and her expression was guarded as we eyed each other up and down. I liked her right away, but the feeling definitely wasn’t mutual.
It probably startled her when I grabbed her in a hug and said, “Thank you.”
She sounded completely suspicious. “For what?”
I let go of her and said, “For taking care of Wes and being his family while he’s been here in San Francisco. I know the last year wasn’t easy for him, but you stepped up and made sure he was okay, and I’m glad he has you in his life.”
Her dark eyes narrowed, as if she expected that to be followed with some kind of snarky comment, and she murmured, “You’re welcome, I guess?”
I flashed her a huge smile and asked, “Would you like to join us for lunch? I have a little surprise planned for Wes. Spoiler alert, it involves getting him all dolled up for our trip next week.”
“I have plans, but thanks for the offer.” She looked at Wes, then at me again, as if she couldn’t figure out what planet I’d come from or what on earth he was doing with me.
“Another time, then.” I turned to Wes and asked, “Are you ready to go?” He nodded, and I waved goodbye to Darrah as we left the office.
On our way downstairs, he asked, “Was that an example of killing someone with kindness?”
“It was a variation on the theme, basically being so nice to someone that they forget they’re supposed to hate me.”
“She doesn’t hate you. She just worries about me.” Honestly, I thought it was both. When we reached the ground floor, I guided him to the left and he asked, “What was that about getting me dolled up?”
“Remember what you said last night about wishing your wardrobe was more vacation-ready? Well, I found a way to help you with that.” We reached the clothing store a minute later, and I held the door for him. Then I indicated the guy behind the counter and said, “Doctor Wesley Bennett, please meet my new friend Javier Dima.” As Wes and the sales clerk shook hands, I explained, “Javie and I just spent the last two hours putting together several outfits for you. There are also some shoes and shirts to go with your new suits, all in your size. I know you only have an hour for lunch, so we’ve tried to make this process as streamlined as possible.”
Wes looked startled as he murmured, “Wow. Thank you.”
For the next forty minutes, he tried on clothes and let me fuss over him. There were dress shirts in a rainbow of colors, beautiful Italian loafers, and more casual items like short-sleeved shirts, sandals, and shorts. As a finishing touch, I’d made sure to include a selection of both ties and bowties in interesting, modern florals.
I thought he looked amazing in everything, and I loved watching him as he checked himself out in the three-sided mirror. He started standing up a little straighter and smiling more, as if his confidence was blooming right before my eyes.
He ended up selecting quite a few things, and as Javier went to ring up the purchases, I led Wes to the break room at the back of the shop, where I had two boxed lunches from a local deli waiting for us. “They’re just sandwiches, nothing fancy,” I explained, as I pulled out his chair for him. “I didn’t want something that would get cold while we shopped. Yours is all healthy with veggies and smashed up avocado on icky whole grain bread, and I also got you a side of fruit salad. But there’s a cookie too, because it’s important to treat yourself.”