Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Maybe the series we started last week? The mystery?”
“Sure.” Much as I’m trying to sound and look casual, my brain is spinning. I have no idea what we last watched.
Once I set the bag on the counter, Ava takes over, portioning out the soup and arranging the sushi on a platter more artfully than the restaurant would have done if we’d have dined there in person.
I carry things over to our usual dining spot, which is the coffee table in front of her tv. When everything’s in place, we settle in like always, sitting on the floor, our backs against the base of the couch. It wasn’t easy for me to get into this position at first, and I had trouble fitting my legs under the table, but after many meals here, I’ve become more limber.
Ava, who easily assumes a cross-legged position, queues up the program, and it looks vaguely familiar.
I focus on the food and pretend to watch the show, though I’m too keenly aware of the woman sitting next to me to follow the plot.
The energy between us has shifted, and I’m conflicted about how to proceed. Do I risk ruining our friendship by trying for something more, or lose my chance with her altogether?
I’m still mulling my options when I feel her eyes on me during a commercial break. When I turn to look at her, those eyes are wide and their expression almost wild. Her skin is flushed, though nothing we ordered tonight was very spicy, not to Ava’s tastes, anyway.
I smile at her because I can’t help it; she’s beautiful.
In response, she dips her head in shyness, but after a pause, during which her chest swells with a big intake of breath, she says, “Erik, I need to do something sinful.”
My eyes blink in confusion, and I replay her words, wondering if I heard her correctly. “Something … sinful? What do you mean?”
I’m quite certain her idea of sinful wouldn’t align with some of the thoughts I’ve had about her.
The shade of pink coloring her cheeks deepens and she looks away.
“Ava, you don’t have to be embarrassed. Tell me what you mean.” I rest a hand on her knee and am grateful when my touch seems to relax her.
“I feel like I grew up in bubble wrap. I’ve managed to break free of some of it, but not in any ways that truly count. I’m clueless about so many things.”
I nod, understanding completely. I had very similar feelings several years ago. “What is it you want to do?”
“Can you take me someplace the church wouldn’t like?” I read her wide eyes differently now. She’s excited. Nervous too, but mostly excited.
There’s certainly no shortage of places in this town that fit the bill. The word sin is right there in the city’s nickname, after all. I scan through a few ideas, settling on the most prominent, numerous, and likely most suitable place for Ava. “How about a casino?”
She nods enthusiastically. “Yes, perfect. Can we go tonight?”
AVA
Even though Erik assures me that my clothes are fine, I change out of the flowery blouse I’d been wearing and into a thin navy sweater, so dark it’s almost black.
I’ve seen tourists on the Strip wearing an amazing array of styles, from shorts and tank tops to black sequined dresses. I have the idea that it’s more appropriate to dress up at nighttime, but none of my clothes seem right, so jeans and a sweater it is. I add short dark brown boots, and a thin pale blue scarf, since the nights have been cold.
Before we leave, I also put on a swipe of red lipstick. I bought it shortly after meeting Brax and have so far mostly only worn it when I expected to see him, though I’d forgotten to put it on earlier today. I’m not used to wearing much makeup, and I can feel it sitting on my lips, but the reminder that it’s there gives me confidence.
Erik’s gaze lingers on me for several seconds when I come out and tell him I’m ready to go. “You look nice.”
“Thank you.” Things are different between us, an invisible but palpable change taking place ever since I mentioned Brax.
I’ve been out to eat with Erik several times, since we both enjoy trying new restaurants. He’s always been a gentleman, opening doors and being attentive, but tonight it feels different.
It feels like a date.
We don’t talk much in his car, and then after a particularly long stretch of silence, we both speak at the same time.
“Have you been to many —”
“Will this be your first time —”
We both laugh nervously, and it helps break the tension.
“Go ahead,” he says. “What were you saying?”
I sit up straighter in my seat, pressing my thighs together. “I was going to ask if you’ve been to many casinos. Do you gamble?”