Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Um. . . coffee would be good. Maybe some toast?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She nods and disappears into the house through the side door. I find myself leaning toward that direction but realize I'm being stupid. Why does it even matter that he has a maid?
Of course, my mind wanders to places it shouldn’t with Levi. Does his maid live here? Have they been intimate? All the while I’m mentally kicking my ass for even thinking these things when I shouldn’t be. I should be focused on healing, setting my mind free from the damage that Van has caused, and finding myself again. I am here to learn how to be Zara without Van. How to survive in a world that worships the ground he walks on. My time away from Los Angeles is meant to be peaceful. Not a time filled with self-induced drama over whether my friend, a man I barely know, is boning his housekeeper.
By the time I’m done with my musings, she’s returned with a tray that she sets down on the small table between two Adirondack chairs, and also sets down a blanket. I’m chilled, but not cold as the sun is doing its job to try and warm everything up.
“Thank you,” I tell her as I move closer. The aroma of the coffee has my taste buds begging for a sip.
“You’re welcome. I’m June, and I’ll be in the house if you need anything else. Just give me a holler.” She’s gone in a flash, not willing to hang out and see if I do, in fact, need anything else. I suppose, since I only asked for coffee and toast, it isn’t that hard to mess up, and she probably figures I’ll be fine for now.
As soon as I sit down, I regret it. While the chair is hard, it’s not uncomfortable, but my view of Levi is now limited due to the slats on his deck. I can only see glimpses of him, and while I shouldn’t be focused on him while he works, I am. For whatever reason, I can’t seem to get him off my mind.
After I finish eating, I cover my legs with the afghan and wish that I had a book to read, something to take my mind off Van, our divorce, and Levi being shirtless. I lean back and let the mid-morning sun warm my face. Even the sun feels differently than it does in California. Brighter and dare I say more cheerful. There isn’t an abundance of noise, buildings, or smog blocking out the rays. No wonder Levi prefers it here rather than Hollywood. I haven’t been here a day yet, and I can already see why. It’s not long until sleep finds me before it takes me away from my viewing pleasure and turns my sights into dreams.
My name is being called, and I can’t tell if it’s part of my dream or if someone is trying to wake me up. I stretch and yawn, only to hear a small bit of laughter. It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. Standing before me, shielding part of the sun is a still shirtless Levi.
“How long have I been asleep?” I ask as I sit up.
“At least a couple of hours. June came out to get me for lunch, and this is how I found you.”
Instinctively I cover my face with my hands and groan. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep outside, but between the sun and being exhausted, I couldn’t help it. “I’m sorry,” I tell Levi.
“For what?” He sits down in the chair next to me, but instead of sitting back, he positions himself, so he’s facing me. “You’re on vacation. Sleep all you want. No one will judge you here.”
“Speaking of. . . how many people do you have working here?”
Levi takes his hat off and runs his fingers through his damp hair before replacing his cap. “June manages the house, but it’s mostly when I’m gone. Since I’m the only one who lives here, I’m really not that messy, so she only comes in once a week or so. With you here, she’ll be on hand to make sure you’re comfortable, and I have one guy who manages the land. He often brings others in to help, but it’s at his discretion.”
“But you were working today?”
“I like to. It keeps me in shape.”
I want to tell him that it’s noticeable, but I don’t. He doesn’t need to know that I was checking him out. Leading him on is the last thing I want to do.
Lunch is served, and for the most part, I feel like an invalid sitting on this chair with my legs wrapped in the afghan, but it’s chilly, and the idea of being in the house right now makes me feel a bit claustrophobic. Every day that I’m not working, I’m holed up in my house, confined to the walls that keep me safe.