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)
He’s made it his mission to stay on my mind, and he’s been successful, which is why I’m walking into Pizza Town on Friday night to grab dinner.
This place reminds me of the dinner we had with Blakely, and she’s been asking every day, and even though I keep telling them no, I’m still here, letting those memories wash over me as I make my way to the counter to order dinner for one.
I’m not dwelling on that. It’s better this way. I smile at a waitress as I make my way toward the counter. I hear my name, and I stop and look around. Crosby isn’t a common name, so I’m certain it’s someone who knows me. A student, maybe? My eyes scan, and I see Alyssa waving at me. Knowing I can’t avoid her forever, I change direction and stop next to their table.
“Hey, guys.”
“How are you?” Alyssa asks.
“Doing well. It’s been a long week, and I didn’t feel like cooking, so pizza it is.”
“You should join us,” Sterling offers.
“No. I don’t want to intrude on date night,” I tell them.
Sterling laughs, and it sounds so much like his brother’s my breath hitches. “Every night is date night for us. We’d love for you to join us,” he tells me. “Have you already ordered?” he asks.
“No. I was going to order and just wait on it,” I confess.
“Perfect. We only have our drinks. Sit.” He nods, and without being prompted, Alyssa moves over, patting the booth next to her. “Book club is meeting at our place tomorrow. Did you get my text?” Alyssa asks.
“I did. I’m sorry I forgot to reply. I was in the middle of folding laundry the other night when it came through, and I forgot to respond. I’ll be there,” I tell her. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.
“We skipped last month. There was too much going on for all of us,” she explains. “Have you read the book?”
“Yeah, it was good.”
“Good? Girl, he’s a dirty talker.” Alyssa winks.
“Tink.” Sterling’s tone is a playful warning.
“What?” she asks him.
“Send me the link.”
She nods and blushes. “He’s going to read it.”
I glance across the table at Sterling. “You read romance?” I ask him.
“When there’s a book that makes my girl gush over the guy, then yeah, I’m going to read it.”
“He takes notes,” Alyssa teases.
“I don’t take notes.” He mocks and glares at her before turning back to me. “I just like to see what she thinks is so… what’s the word I’m looking for here? Swoony. Yeah, swoony. I need to know what’s got her all worked up. I will never confirm or deny if I’ve taken mental notes.” He grins and winks at us.
“That’s… hot.” I shrug, and the three of us crack up laughing.
“Looks like my invite got lost in the mail.” I turn to see Rushton standing next to our table. He’s got his eyes locked on mine.
“No invites went out until about five minutes ago,” Sterling tells him. “Crosby was going to order to go, and we wouldn’t take a no from her to join us.”
“You want to sit?” Alyssa asks him.
“Crosby?”
“I can go if it makes you uncomfortable. They’re your family.”
He kneels next to me, right here in the restaurant, for all to see. His big hand rests on my thigh. “I like seeing you with my family, baby. I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
I can’t avoid him forever. “Join us,” I tell him. The smile that lights up his face has butterflies taking flight in my belly. This is the first time I’ve seen him since he showed up at my place with leftovers last Sunday. We’ve talked and texted, but I’ve not physically seen him. How is he more handsome?
“We’re going to talk about all that,” Alyssa says, leaning in and whispering in my ear.
“It’s… a lot to talk about,” I confess.
“After dinner. Your place?”
“Tonight?”
“Why not? Sterling and I met here, so he can go home or do whatever, and we can catch up.”
I hesitate. “Sure. I’d like that.” I need to talk to someone about this. Someone other than Rushton. However, she is his family. Grabbing my phone, I send him a quick message.
Me: Is it okay with you if I talk to Alyssa about what’s been going on with us? I know she’s your family, and I understand if you’d rather I not.
Rushton: She already knows.
Me: What do you mean? You told her?
Rushton: I told my brothers, and I’m certain they told their wives. I’d tell you.
His text is followed with a shrugging emoji. I glance up, and he shrugs, and I smile.
Me: It would be nice to be able to talk about it.
Rushton: You can talk to me. About anything.
Me: I need to talk about you.
Rushton: I’m good at talking about me.
Me: You know what I mean. I have all these feelings, and then there’s my contract and what happened between us. I won’t tell her that part. That’s for us.