Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Austin opened his mouth like he might argue, but Mabel silenced him with a look and a command: “Bring her suitcase in the house, Austin.”
“Why?” the big jerk asked. “She’s not staying here.”
“I’ll get it,” Xander said with a grin. “Looks too heavy for Austin, anyway.”
SIX
austin
She was prettier than I remembered, which was annoying as fuck and immediately put me in an even worse mood.
She was even prettier than she had been in my motorcycle fantasy. Maybe it was that she’d let her hair down—it was wavy and pale blond and looked soft as cornsilk. Maybe it was that she’d changed into shorts, putting her legs on display—she definitely had the limbs of a dancer. Maybe it was that she’d washed the makeup off her face, and her blue eyes seemed even more vulnerable. I could tell she’d been crying, and it weakened my defenses.
She caught me staring as we took seats across from each other at the dining table, and I quickly looked away. Owen was to my right, Adelaide across from him, and they resumed eating their dinner. Xander sat at their end of the table, tipping the legs back on the chair I’d made, even though I’d told him a million fucking times not to do that.
“Veronica, can I get you something?” Mabel asked from the kitchen, as if this was a social visit. “A glass of wine maybe?”
“No, thank you. I just need to charge my phone for a few minutes, and then I’ll be out of your way. I’m sure my friend in New York will send me train fare to get back to Chicago. I just need to call her.”
“I plugged it in, so it’s charging now,” Mabel said, taking a bottle of white wine from the fridge and pouring herself a glass. “But since it’s completely dead, I think you have time for one glass.”
“She already said no, Mabel. Leave it.” I glared at my sister, who stuck out her tongue at me.
Veronica spoke up. “Actually, a glass of wine sounds lovely. Thank you.”
When I looked at her, she met my eyes directly. A little defiantly.
Mabel came to the table with two full glasses of wine, setting one down in front of Veronica. “Here you go. Austin, can I get you a beer? Take the edge off that mood?”
“What mood?” I knew I was being a dick, but I couldn’t help it. Something about the woman sitting across from me had me tense as a tightrope. Maybe it was that mouth. Her lips looked puffy and inviting without the bright red color on them. Like a ripe peach.
“Maybe he’s hangry,” Xander suggested.
“Pasta is on the stove,” Mabel said. “Anyone is welcome to eat.”
“I’m not hungry,” I snapped. What I wanted to taste were those lips.
“So Veronica, how long will you be in town?” Xander asked.
“I’m not exactly sure.” She fit the tips of her thumbnails together and stared at them. “My circumstances are a little . . . uncertain at the moment.”
“Where are you staying tonight?” Mabel asked.
“Um, that’s sort of up in the air too.” She took a sip of wine. “My ex-fiancé already cut me off. The inn where I was staying kicked me out. And my credit card has been frozen.”
Mabel’s jaw fell open. “Seriously? Your ex did all that already?”
“He’s good at getting what he wants right when he wants it.”
“Rich guys always are,” I muttered.
“This guy was rich?” Xander asked.
“A Vanderhoof,” I said.
“Oh.” Xander nodded. “Yeah, I know that family. Bunch of douchebags. They used to come into the restaurant at The Pier every summer and complain about everything—their table, the service, the food. They were shitty tippers too.”
“Veronica, do you have another credit card?” Mabel asked. “Or somewhere you can go tonight? What if you can’t get ahold of your friend?”
“I’ll figure it out,” said Veronica, picking up her wine glass again. “I can always just sleep at the train station.”
I knew what my sister was going to say before she said it.
“I think you should just stay here,” said Mabel, right on cue.
“No,” Veronica and I said at the same time.
Our eyes met once more. The air crackled with electricity.
Veronica looked away first, shifting her gaze to Mabel. “It’s very nice of you to offer, but I really can’t accept.”
“Sure, you can. You can sleep in the room over the garage. I’ll sleep in here on the couch.”
“I couldn’t take your room,” Veronica protested.
“I insist,” Mabel said, like the place was hers to rent out.
“You can always stay at Dad’s house, Mabel,” offered Xander. “Your old room is empty, and I’m sure Dad would love to have a little extra time with you before you leave for Virginia.”
I gave him a scathing look.
“Good idea, Xander! That’s what I’ll do. I’m not quite done packing yet,” Mabel said to Veronica, “but it won’t take me more than an hour. I’ll put new sheets on the bed, and then the room would be all yours—if you’re comfortable staying here, of course.”