Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
She presses her lips together before touching her fingers to them. “I think you bit me.”
“I did,” I say, low and dangerous. “And you’ve got one more chance before I kiss that sass right out of your ass.”
Her lips turn up into a small smirk as she holds my gaze.
“Now, Calliope, do you want me to stop at Starbucks?”
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
I don’t miss her muttering, “But make sure your GPS allows it.”
I roll my eyes and continue to pull back onto the road, shaking my head. Pain in the ass, I swear. After a few moments, she says, “I hate arguing with you. You’re so damn calm all the time.”
I laugh. “You have to remember, I have two older sisters, a twin, and a younger brother who all think they’re right all the time. I have learned that being calm and quiet makes the other person madder.”
“I hate it.”
“Good,” I say, grinning. “Maybe you won’t argue with me over stupid shit.”
“Or maybe you should just listen to me.”
I scoff. “Nope. I’ll just annoy you with my silence at the pure fact that you’re being difficult.”
Oh, if looks could kill. “I’m being difficult?”
“Yes, because you’re hungry and probably need a coffee, which I am getting you so this ride won’t be a clusterfuck.”
She glares. “We’re about to get out of this car and fight, good sir.”
I snort. “Unless we’re naked during this fighting, I don’t have the time.”
That gets her. Her laughter fills the car, and I grin as I turn off at the exit. She leans into me, and I kiss her head. “You make me crazy,” she tells me.
“You are a pain in my ass, my love,” I remind her. “Now stop being a brat, and tell me what you want.”
She sits up, looking at me as I pull into the Starbucks. “Well, you, of course.”
After getting into the drive-through line, I grin, leaning over and kissing her lips. “Sorry, we have a four-hour drive. You’ll have to wait.”
“Darn,” she says, snapping her fingers before she tells me what she wants. “We’re going to Owen’s first?”
“Yeah, so you can drop me off.”
“You don’t want to come stay at my place?”
I tense up. “I don’t think that will go over well with Nico.”
She waves me off. “True. Can I come stay with you tonight?”
I move her hair behind her ear, rubbing her cheek with my thumb. “Are you going to be bratty?”
She grins. “Yes, so we can fight naked.”
I grin back before I lean in, pressing my nose to hers. “Then yes, come stay with me.”
Her lips press to mine as I close my eyes, basking in her kiss. That is until someone beeps at us because we’re holding up the line. We laugh as we part, and then I head to the menu to order.
In the back of my mind, though, I play over and over how this might go with Nico. I don’t want this to be bad. I don’t want the drama. I feel good, I feel confident, and I’m happy with everything. His words still fuck with me when I allow them, and I know I won’t get an apology. I also know that Callie will freak if she finds out what Nico said. Which will put her in the middle. Something I don’t want, which is why I haven’t told her. I’ve been dreading this trip for that reason alone, but what can I do about it now?
I have to stand my ground, not only for myself, but for the love I so desperately deserve.
I thought Callie would have just dropped me off when we arrived at Owen’s place, but instead, she and Angie have fallen into a conversation over the jungle that is now my brother’s house. There were a lot of plants before, but now, Angie has every inch of this house covered. To the point that for Christmas, I got her a shirt that reads “Plant Mom.” I know she’ll love it.
“It’s so good for the air. We are basically breathing the cleanest air ever,” Angie says as she walks around, showing Callie all her plants.
“Evan said you liked plants, but I get the feeling it’s more than like.”
Angie grins. “Oh, for sure! I love them.”
Owen laughs as he leans into the railing of the deck as we watch Angie and Callie make their way around the house. As I suspected, Owen and Angie welcomed Callie with open arms, and they both hugged me a little longer than expected, but I needed it. I miss Owen daily, and while I’m thankful for technology, nothing can compare to being in his presence. We stand shoulder to shoulder, and I know some would make fun of us, but I think we need that touch. At least I know I do.
As the girls head into another room, Owen shakes his head. “My lady is a mess.”