Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Yes. Thankfully. I feel better about taking off three days next week now that it’s done.”
“Three days?”
I nod, swallowing my food before replying, “I decided to take my own advice. I have the time, and I need to mow our yards before we leave. They’ll be a mess when we get back if not.”
“I keep telling you I can pay to have that done until I get a new mower.”
“And I keep telling you there is no need for you to pay someone when I can do it. That’s what friends are for, Alyssa. Like this.” I point to the plate of food in front of me. “You take care of me, and I take care of you. That’s our thing.”
She smiles softly, her brown eyes sparkling. “Well, I appreciate you.”
“How about you? How was the rest of your week?” I ask, shoveling a meatball into my mouth.
“Same old. I think once we’re back from our trip, I’m going to get serious about looking for something else. A job isn’t just going to fall into my lap, and I can’t handle working for her for the rest of my life.”
“Are you looking to stay in the same field?”
“Yeah, I mean, I guess so. It’s all I know, other than fast food in high school.” She shrugs. “I enjoy what I do, just not who I do it for. Well, that’s not true either. The physicians are all really nice, but Tamara is just so moody. I know that not all jobs are sunshine and roses, but she’s so hateful all the time, and I’m tired of walking around the office on eggshells. I mean, I’ve been there for years. I shouldn’t have to stress to the point of not being able to eat because I’m asking for time off.”
“I agree with you. I’ll keep an eye out too.”
“Thanks, Tank.”
“Tank, it’s been a minute since you’ve brought that one out,” I tease. She started calling me Tank when I nicknamed her Tink. Ironically both names fit. Alyssa is a tiny thing and standing next to me, the names Tink and Tank just fit us.
“I gotta keep you on your toes,” she tells me.
“Good thinking, Tink.” I wink at her, and she again rolls her eyes playfully. I’ve just shoved my last bite into my mouth when my phone rings. Digging it out of my pocket, I see Archer’s name. I chew faster. That last bite was huge. Alyssa laughs and takes my phone. She smiles and shakes her head as she answers, hitting the button for the speaker so that I can hear the conversation.
“Hey, Archer,” she greets my brother.
“Alyssa, did I call you?” he asks her, laughing.
“No. Sterling’s mouth was full, so I answered for him.”
“Was it now?” He snorts.
“He’s eating.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“Dinner, asswipe,” I say, finally swallowing my food. “Tink made spaghetti for dinner.”
“Nice. Where was my invite, Lys?” he asks.
“Not my house,” she quips.
“I see how it is.” Archer’s laugh fills the room.
“What’s up?” I ask him.
“Just seeing what you’re getting into tonight? Thought maybe we could go to the Tavern and grab a beer.”
“I’m beat,” I tell him. “I put in one hell of a week.”
“I hear you there. Well, I guess I’ll just head over to Declan’s to play with Blakely.”
“Surely you have other options?” Don’t get me wrong, I love my niece to pieces, but Archer is young and should be out painting the town and all that. “You’re too young to be settling for a night in with our five-year-old niece,” I tell him.
“Ha! I’m only four years younger than you, and you’re sitting at home on a Friday night.”
“I’m not alone. Alyssa is here.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t have an Alyssa in my life.”
I glance across the table at my best friend. I’m damn lucky to have her. “Want me to have Alyssa fix you up?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Yeah, no, I’m out on that.”
“We have plenty,” Alyssa speaks up. “You can come and have dinner.”
“Might as well,” I tell him. “She made a ton.”
“Because you eat a ton, Tank,” Alyssa sasses.
“We’re growing men, Alyssa,” Archer tells her.
“Just come on over before I put it all away. Oh, and stop and grab your brother a six-pack. He just had the last one with dinner.”
“Twelve-pack. Got it.” Archer chuckles. “I’m putting my shoes on now.”
“See ya soon.” I tap End Call on my phone, not waiting for his answer.
“You hung up on him.” Alyssa gives me her best stink eye.
“I did not. We were finished.”
“You didn’t say goodbye.”
“He’s going to be here in like fifteen minutes. He can tell me whatever else you think he needed to say when he gets here.”
“I’d be pissed if you hung up on me like that.”
“I didn’t hang up on him. We were done talking. Besides, you know I’d never hang up on you.”