Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“Here are some refills. Can I get you anything else?” our waitress asks.
“Two boxes, please.”
“Sure thing. I’ll be right back.” She places the check on the table, and I’m quick to grab it up before Crosby can get any ideas about paying.
“Let me help.” She reaches for her purse, but I cut her off.
“No. This was on me. We didn’t order anything extra with you being here.” I give her a pointed look, willing her to argue.
“Fine, thank you for dinner. I’ll get the tip.”
“Nope.”
“You should just let him get his way,” Blakely tells Crosby. “I heard my mommy tell my aunt Palmer that you have to pick your battles and that the Kincaid men are stubborn. I don’t know what that means, but my mommy is really smart, so I’d let him win.” She shrugs as if she didn’t just dole out adult-level advice to an adult, her teacher no less, and finishes off her milk.
“Did I just get schooled?” Crosby asks. Her lips are tilted in a grin.
“Yep.”
She shakes her head. “She’s something else.”
“My mommy says that too. You know what? Lots of people say that about me.” Blakely smiles like it’s a compliment, and it is. She’s a handful, but I wouldn’t have her any other way. Being the only grandchild for so long, she’s spoiled but doesn’t act like it, but she does talk and act well beyond her age.
“Thank you for dinner,” Crosby says, then turns to Blakely and gives her a hug. “I’ll see you at school on Monday.”
“Okay, Miss Crosby. I mean Crosby.” Blakely places the palm of her hand against her forehead. “I’m never gonna ’member that,” she mumbles.
Crosby and I laugh. “You’ll get it,” Crosby assures her. When she looks across the table at me, I want to beg her to stay. To let me drop Blakely off, and then we can go grab a drink, or just… I don’t know, hang out? I don’t really hang out, so that thought is staggering. “Thank you, Rushton.”
“Rush,” I remind her.
“Rush.” She smiles softly. “I’ll see you around.”
“You have that number I gave you,” I tell her as she slides out of the booth.
“Emergencies only.”
“It’s an emergency.”
She tilts her head to the side to study me. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”
I grin up at her. “Use it.”
“We’ll see. Bye. Thank you again,” she says with a wave before walking away.
“She’s the coolest teacher ever,” Blakely tells me.
“Yeah, kiddo. I think she is too.” I stand and offer her my hand, and together we leave the restaurant. Blakely chatters on, but I’m barely listening. All I can think about is Crosby and how, for a non-date, it was the best one I’ve been on in, well… ever.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Crosby
I’m in the middle of folding a load of laundry—how I have so much for one person is beyond me—when my phone alerts me to a new message. I’ve been packing my phone with me like it’s an extra limb since having dinner with Rushton and Blakely last Friday night. He told me to use his number, and I’ve typed out about a hundred different messages only to delete them.
Rushton Kincaid is… a lot.
I mean that in the best way. He’s sexy and brooding, sweet and funny, and he’s not afraid to show any of those emotions, especially when it comes to his niece. He’s unlike any man I’ve ever dated, and there’s a reason for that. He’s too much of everything, and that intimidates me.
Glancing at the screen, secretly hoping that it’s him, I see an unknown number.
Unknown: Girls’ night at the Willow Tavern tomorrow evening.
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: Sorry. It’s Alyssa from Kincaid’s Auto Repair.
Me: What exactly is entailed in girls’ night?
I hit Reply and quickly add her number to my contacts. Her response is immediate.
Alyssa: Nothing too crazy. Most of the ladies are preggers, but we do have a few drinks, lots of laughs, and lots of talking about men. Mostly Kincaid men all except for Piper, who is married to Heath, and Ramsey, who is a Kincaid cousin but married to Deacon. The rest of us are either married to or engaged to a Kincaid.
Why is it just hearing his last name has heat rising to my cheeks? A night out with the girls does sound fun. I don’t know them, but I’ve always been able to fit in with all kinds of personalities. That definitely comes in handy as a teacher with students, parents, and colleagues.
Me: I don’t want to intrude.
Alyssa: Never. The more, the merrier, and I need someone who’s not preggers to drink with.
She follows her text with a string of laughing emoji, and I can’t help but smile. Alyssa, just from the short time I’ve been around her, seems like she would be fun to hang out with.
Me: Okay, if you’re sure. Just tell me what time to be there. You said the Willow Tavern, right?