Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
For the first time, I think I actually really surprised Ari, and his brows lift. A trace of true annoyance or maybe anger flicks through his eyes. Okay, so I guess I ruined his plan after all. I want to relish my victory, but it actually stings.
He said he brought me here to tell me something about my father. Instead it's all been a con, and I played right into his hands.
Chapter Eight
ARI
“If you want to lie to yourself, that’s your choice, but if you want to know more about your parents’ divorce, then let’s at least agree to be honest with each other.”
I’m doing my best to not let my annoyance show, but it’s probably no use. I’m sure if I saw myself in the mirror right now, I’d look like a raging asshole. Hearing Sadie deny how she feels is a punch to the gut. Maybe she doesn't feel it as strongly as I do, but the attraction is practically a living, breathing monster between us. Or am I just describing myself?
I finish off the box of food and grab the one with chicken next.
“Fine, from here on out I’ll be honest with you.” She takes a deep breath and nods as if she’s convinced herself to do it. “The most important thing to me is protecting my dad, and I want to know the truth.”
“There’s a file I can show you.” I go over to my desk and grab it out of a stack. When I hand it to Sadie, she looks at it cautiously. “This is just the initial request. It seems like some of it you’re already aware of.”
While she reads over the report, I make sure to hand her different containers of food so she can eat at the same time. After about an hour, she closes the folder but doesn’t look any more relieved.
“There’s nothing here. It’s all surveillance on the most boring man in the world, and as much as I love my father, he has got to get a hobby.”
“Like I said, it's only the initial findings. Your mother called constantly asking for updates and when we couldn’t provide one, she invented it.”
“That’s when she planted the drugs,” she says, and I nod in agreement.
“Initially, we didn’t suspect her, but it didn’t take long to see what she was capable of. Not after my brother decided to check into her background.”
“Then why the delay in the divorce? I don’t understand.”
She puts the file on the table, and I hand her a fortune cookie. “It’s late, I think you should get some sleep, and tomorrow I can get everything you need.”
“The bigger the obstacle, the more satisfying it is to conquer,” she says, and I smirk at her.
“Oh really?” I crack mine open and glare at the note. “What the hell is this?”
She takes it out of my hands before I can keep it out of her reach, and when I try to grab it, she falls back on the couch.
“No!” She’s laughing and then squeals when I tickle her side.
“Give that back!”
“Never!” she shouts over me.
“Give it up, shorty, or I’ll take it from you.” She somehow manages to move out of my reach and holds up the fortune to read it.
“It’s not the size of the boat that matters, but you still need a decent captain.” She falls into fits of laughter so hard she rolls right off the couch.
I try to pretend I’m upset but the more she laughs, the more I smile. “Are you sure you didn’t write that?” I ask, and Sadie shakes her head as she wipes tears away.
“No, but I’m going to keep this and frame it.” After she tucks the note in her pocket, I hold out my hand to help her off the floor.
“Come on, you can sleep in my room since there’s not a bed in the other ones. I’ll take the couch. Clearly you need more sleep than me because you’re delirious with exhaustion.”
“You have to admit that was pretty great.” She nudges her shoulder against me, and I love the playful touch. We walk out of the office and toward the bedrooms.
“I’ve never been burned by a fortune cookie before, but that was pretty severe.” I shake my head, and she laughs again. Will I ever get used to how that sound makes me feel?
“Yeah, I should probably rub some aloe on you.” She looks surprised when she says the words, like she didn’t mean to say them out loud.
“You promise?” We’re outside my bedroom, and when I turn to face her, we’re closer than I anticipated. I’m looking down on her as she leans against the door frame, and I brace my hand over her head. “Don’t tease me, shorty. I’m all too eager to change your mind about me.”