Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Every day with you is a great day,” I say, pulling back and pecking her nose with a kiss. I step back and make sure she’s settled before closing her door and rounding the truck to the other side.
The drive to the mall is short, and we take our time holding hands and shopping. She finds the tennis shoes she’s been needing and a couple of bathing suits that were on clearance. I tried like hell to get her to try them on for me, but no such luck. Maybe later when we’re at my place.
I grab a couple of new shirts and a new pair of tennis shoes as well. I don’t need them yet, but there were on the sale. I spend twelve-hours-plus a day on my feet. Good comfortable shoes are a must.
“Pretzels?”
“Yep.” We head toward the small stand that sells soft pretzels and order a large container of the bites to share. “Who knew the aquarium and shopping would be so exhausting.”
“Are you ready to head home?”
“Is that okay? We can maybe watch a movie another night?”
“It’s fine. My place or yours?” I ask, pushing open the door for her as we walk outside.
“Yours.”
“Done.”
We chat all the way back to my place, leaving her packages in my truck for when I drop her off later. I lead her to my room, strip her down, and prove yet again why sharing a meal from the same plate isn’t an issue. I trace every inch of her soft skin with my tongue before bringing us both over the edge of pleasure.
Today has been the best day.
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Palmer
I’m just stepping out of the shower when my phone rings. I rush to dry off and snatch it from the bathroom counter. Seeing my sister’s name, I swipe at the screen, putting the call on speaker. “Hey.”
“Why do you sound like you’re in a tunnel?” she asks.
I giggle at her confusion. “I just got out of the shower. I’m in the bathroom and have you on speaker.”
“Got ya. You’re heading over to Orrin’s, right?” she asks.
“I haven’t really decided yet.”
“What? What else are you going to do? Ramsey and Deacon will be there. Mom and Dad are out of town.”
“I was going to get caught up on some editing.”
“Nope. No way, little sister. Life is too short for you to work all the damn time. We went through this with Deacon, and thankfully Ramsey brought him out of that. You are not going down that path. In fact, I’m going to make sure you come. I’ll be there in an hour to pick you up.”
“I can drive myself, Piper.”
“And risk you not showing? No thanks. I’ll pick you up. Well, Heath and I will pick you up. He’s driving.”
“You know I’m an adult, right?” I ask her, irritated for no real reason.
“See you in an hour, Palmer.” The line goes dead. I’m tempted to leave, but I can’t do that to my sister, my brother, or my best friend. I just need to pull up my big girl panties and deal. I can hang out with Brooks’s brothers and family without him being there. It means nothing. But yet, the guilt still lingers in the back of my mind. It’s not fair that I get to be there with his family, and he has to work. I know I sound crazy, but that’s my thought process at the moment.
My phone rings again, and I answer, not looking at the screen. “Calling to pass out more orders?”
“Whoa, who do I have to handle?” Brooks asks.
I can tell from the tone of his voice he’s being serious. “Sorry. I thought you were Piper.”
“What did your sister do to you?”
“Nothing. She’s just being a bossy pants.”
“Palmer?”
I sigh. “She’s insisting I go to Orrin’s today for the cookout.”
“Do you not want to go?”
“It’s not that. I just feel guilty. You’re working, and I’m spending time with your family.”
“I love that big heart of yours, Palmer Setty.” He chuckles while I try not to choke on air at him using the word love in any type of reference to me. “That’s why I was calling. I’m going to stop by after my shift. I’m hoping to get out early. One of my coworkers who I covered for her vacation needs the money to make up for being on vacation. If her husband gets home in time, she’s going to come in and cover two hours of my shift and two hours of other coworkers.”
“Can you all do that? Just switch around like that?”
“Yeah, as long as it’s not overtime, and the department director knows who to expect to be here and when it’s all good.”
“So, you’re going to be there?” I ask, already feeling my spirit lift.
“Yeah. I was hoping I’d get to see you. Maybe we can sneak some time together?”