Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Her cellphone rang and she ignored it. They talked for a while longer, eating and drinking, having a great conversation.
“So yeah, I have a half-brother. He lives in Texas.”
“Are your parents still together?”
“No, they’re not. Parted ways when I was sixteen. It was probably for the best. They’re both good people, just better apart.” He nodded in understanding. “And you? You told me on the phone your mama had passed away.”
“Yeah… she died when I was five.”
Her brows gathered and her expression filled with sadness.
“I’m real sorry to hear that. That had to have been tough.”
He shrugged. “It was but life isn’t always fair, now is it?”
“No… I can’t say that it is.” She turned her card down to prevent being served more food, then placed her napkin on the table. “And your aunt raised you, you said?”
“Yeah. She was good to me. Took good care of me. Noah is my cousin, like I told you, but felt more like a brother. I’ve been tryna make amends with him.”
“Amends? Why would you need to do that?”
“I wasn’t always very nice to him when we were comin’ up. I believe… uh… I was jealous of him. I couldn’t articulate it at the time. He had his mama, I didn’t have mine, so I resented him for it. I knew better. He has ADHD and some OCD. I’m sure my antics didn’t help, ’specially since he wanted to be friendly and play with me all the time. I would shun him sometimes… say mean shit. I regret that.”
“Now that his mama is gone too, do you feel better?”
Her question was cold. Cruel. And yet, fitting. He clasped his hands and glared at her.
“Yeah, initially I did. What a fucked-up question to ask me.”
“What a fucked-up answer to give.” She picked up her wine glass and took a sip. “It was honest though. I can appreciate that.” He nodded. “When are you headin’ back to Georgia? Ain’t that a song?”
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “’Midnight Train to Georgia…’ I’m not sure yet. I’m prepared to work from wherever I’m at, so I’ve got time.”
“But you don’t plan to stay for a long time?”
“Not if I can help it.”
“You act like a Virgo.”
He laughed at that, then set his fork down onto his plate. “I don’t believe in that stuff.”
“Well, that’s your right.” She waved dismissively. “But I do. So, I’m not really sure how this date is going, Caspian. On one hand, I dig you and it’s been great, but on the other hand, you’re a little too enigmatic. Something about you excites me, and another part of you makes me uneasy. You too damn hard to read.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“And why do you think that is?”
“Because I’m different from most men.”
“I’ve heard that before, too.” She rolled her eyes. “What makes you different?”
“I don’t cheat on women. I understand most men do. I’m manipulative, but honest about it. I take my work seriously, never using it as an excuse to do things I have no business doin’. I’m honest—uncomfortably so. I don’t tell everything all the time, and I watch what I say. I’m careful… very careful.”
“Is careful another word for sneaky?”
“Depends on who you ask. I like to think of it as just being observant and readin’ the room.”
“And how are you readin’ me right now?”
“You’re creative. Also challenging. You took a great deal of time gettin’ ready for this date but wanted to appear as if it were easy, or a mere afterthought. The neutral makeup and all. You’re a little sensitive to criticism but you try to hide it. You say what you feel, yet I don’t get the impression you’re tryna hurt anyone. Just brutally honest. Despite being such, you are quite likable and meet new friends everywhere you go. People gravitate towards you, not just ’cause you’re easy on the eyes, but you carry yourself with confidence. You’re resilient, traditional, open. I think you’re a tough lady, but you hide behind that toughness, too. It’s a shield. You don’t like bein’ vulnerable, so you pour your vulnerability into your art. That’s a good vice. It’s healthy, I suppose. I don’t like bein’ vulnerable, either. I’m not an overtly emotional person and that rubs some folks the wrong way.”
“Hmm… that’s interesting. I suppose you’re rather observant, after all. What’s your vice to hide your vulnerability?”
He ran his thumb along his fingers, back and forth, mulling over her question.
“My vices are private. They’re for me and me alone. I don’t involve others in ’em. They also change from time to time. Nothin’ like gamblin’, drinkin’ too much, or smokin’ like a chimney… but I have some. Azure, as much as this pains me to say, this date is almost over.”
“It is. I wish it wasn’t, but yeah, it’s comin’ to an end.”