Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
What’s wrong with me? Hot men don’t usually render me stupid.
My boycott on dating must be clouding my manners.
I turn and march up the sidewalk to the low front porch and pull out my keys.
“Good locks.” Dex’s low, rumbling voice right behind me sends a shiver of pleasure down my spine.
“Oh.” Nervous laughter bubbles past my lips. “Funny, Grayson said the same thing when Serena was staying with us. Are you all security experts or something?”
“I’m not surprised.” Dex huffs a frustrated laugh. “Nothing goes unnoticed by the old man.”
“You’ve known him a long time?” I ask, setting my purse on the entrance table. He follows behind me, his large frame making my foyer feel small. I nod to his vest. “Through your club?”
“I was only a prospect when he went to prison but he was an early influence.”
I’m not sure what to make of that.
“We kept in touch and I tried to visit him over the years,” he adds.
Dex’s loyalty to a man he didn’t seem to know all that well impresses me. “That must’ve been hard.”
He shrugs. “He’s a good man. Didn’t deserve to be there.”
Serena said something similar when she first told me about Grayson, and I had questions about him being recently paroled. It’s nice to hear it from someone who isn’t smitten with him.
Dex remains by the front door, his back toward the solid wood as if he’s going to try to slip out when I’m not looking. “Are you a vampire?” I tease. “Do I need to officially invite you inside?”
“What?” He raises his eyebrows, then glances behind him. “No. I just can’t stay long.”
“Oh. Sure.” How do I ask to see him again without seeming desperate? What if he says no?
Don’t let fear rule your life.
Isn’t that what I’m always preaching to the people I care about the most?
“Dex, would you like to come over for dinner?” I force the words out quickly before I lose my nerve. I can’t believe I’m breaking my number-one rule and asking a guy on a date.
No. Not a date. I’m inviting him over for dinner. To thank him for helping me out. That’s all.
But offering to cook for a man I barely know breaks another one of my rules. What is it about Dex that makes me want to shred my rule book into confetti?
He stares at me for a few beats before finally answering, “I can’t.”
Oh. Wow. I hadn’t even suggested a day or time. But it’s an immediate “no” from him. “Uh. Okay. I just wanted to thank you for today and all the lawn mowing and…”
Shut up, Emily.
Is it my wishful thinking or is that regret in his eyes?
“I’m headed out of town for a bit,” he explains. “So I won’t be here Friday.”
“Oh.” A normal person would ask where he’s going but I’m still too stung from his rejection.
“But I don’t…” He stops and runs his fingers through his hair.
Is he as flustered as I am?
“Nothing is set in stone. I don’t have to leave for my trip right now,” he continues. With more conviction in his tone, he adds, “I should wait a day or two and make sure Griff gets your car back to you in one piece.”
My eyes widen. “You’re going to postpone your trip to check on my car?” I ask slowly.
“My dates are flexible.” He turns and stares at the heavy drapery covering the windows. “Just an annual ride I take.”
“Must be nice to come and go as you please.” Any time off I’m able to schedule is spent with Libby at home.
Too late, I realize my comment sounded bitter. “I don’t get a lot of vacation time,” I hurry to add.
Who cares if he thinks you’re a bitch? He said no to dinner.
“How about Friday night?” he asks.
“What about it?”
He raises his eyebrows, his gaze straying toward the kitchen behind me. “Dinner? You don’t owe me anything, though. We can go out.”
Gee, when you say it so enthusiastically…
“You’re my hero.” I force a smile. “You literally saved my day.”
“Trust me, I’m no one’s savior.”
Awkward. What am I supposed to do, argue that he is indeed a hero?
“Well, I definitely owe you a meal,” I say in a cheery tone to smooth over the uncomfortable silence. “Is there anything you don’t like? Or you’re allergic to?”
“Nope.” He backs away. “What time works for you?”
“Seven? It’ll give me a chance to change and start cooking.”
“Really, Emily, you don’t have to—”
“I want to.” Suddenly, the awkward way we met this morning returns to mind. “Today was hard for me. Even before my car crapped out and left me stranded. I really appreciate all you’ve done to make it easier.”
Several emotions seem to ripple over his expression—longing, sadness, and maybe guilt all make an appearance. “It was no problem, Emily.”
We stand there, staring at each other. For someone who said he couldn’t stay long, he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave.