Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“I like this version of you,” she breathes, still chuckling. “The confidence is hot, Jane. Keep it up,” Mattie encourages. Jane shrugs in response.
“I need a coffee,” Jane says after the conversation hits a lull, pushing off the chair to stand.
“I’ll come get it with you,” I say. “I could use the walk.” I look to Brandon who nods as I stand, signaling me it’s okay to leave him here with Mattie. “Want anything?” I look from Brandon to Mattie.
“Jane knows my order,” Mattie says. “Please.” I nod.
“Just a water for me,” Brandon says. I grip his shoulder as I walk past – a socially acceptable form of touch between two men. I can’t wait for the day when I can be open about my feelings for this gorgeous guy.
When I place a hand on Jane’s lower back to walk her toward the nearest coffee shop, we begin a leisurely stroll down the corridor.
“How are you doing with all of this?” I ask her when we’re safely out of earshot. “Is it too much?”
“What do you mean? I’m good,” she says.
“You seem comfortable. I just want to make sure it’s not too much too fast,” I explain.
“Do you think it’s too much?” she murmurs. Jane glances up at me as we walk, anxiety clear in her eyes.
I stop walking as I gently push her out of the way, her back up against a wall as I step close to her.
“Not at all,” I say with a wink, leaning down to kiss those pouty lips in a quick peck. “I want you to be comfortable.”
“I’m very comfortable,” she breathes. “Very, very comfortable,” she lifts up on her toes to kiss me again, just a bit more than the peck we just shared. “You and Brandon are wonderful. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world,” she admits. I can do nothing but draw her close, her arms going around my waist as I hold her to me in a tight hug.
“Good. Coffee, then?” I ask, stepping back and guiding her back to the walkway. She nods, a smile glued to her features.
When we return to our seats with beverages in hand, Mattie and Brandon are deep in conversation.
“What are we talking about?” Jane asks as she takes her seat, passing Mattie’s overly sugared coffee to her.
“You,” Mattie says simply with a twinkle in her eye. There’s a beat of silence as Jane glances between Mattie and Brandon.
“What about me?” she questions.
“Just some things you got up to in college,” Mattie shrugs. “You know, fun shenanigans and all that.”
Jane suddenly pales and I’m interested to know exactly what she did in college to warrant that reaction.
“Mattie,” she warns. “What kind of things?” Her eyes are wide and beautiful and I find it hard to look away from her. Until Brandon starts shaking in the chair next to me, anyway.
“What?” I ask.
“Mattie was just telling me about your first college party,” Brandon says.
“Mattie!” Jane exclaims. Mattie bursts out in laughter as Jane covers her face with her hands.
“It isn’t that bad. It’s just funny!” Mattie defends.
“Tell me,” I say with a charming smile. Jane peeks between her fingers at me and I can’t help but join in the laughter. “Please?” I ask, throwing it on thick.
“Fine,” Jane says. “She can tell you.” Mattie cheers at being granted permission.
“Freshman year of college, Jane and I were assigned as roommates. We decided to go to our first college party together at a frat house a few blocks from our dorm. When we got there, it was totally crazy – there were people running around half-clothed, body shots on the kitchen table, the works. Jane, here, has a drink or two and-” Mattie is suddenly cut off by the announcement that we can board.
“Saved by the flight,” I joke, looking to Jane with a wink. Brandon and I are called first, so we leave Jane and Mattie at the gate as we board.
“Why do you hate me?” I hear Jane ask Mattie in a joking tone as we walk away.
“You’ll have to tell me the rest of the story on the flight,” I tell Brandon with a chuckle. He laughs, too.
“I think Mattie embellished it a little. If she didn’t, I think getting to know Jane is going to be even more fun than I anticipated,” he says with a wry smile.
We get settled into our cushy seats after stowing away our carry-ons. It’s just a few minutes later that Jane and Mattie are walking past – a gorgeous blush still tinting Jane’s cheeks and Mattie smiling wickedly. Jane trails a hand up Brandon’s arm as she passes and throws a wink at me that has my heart rate accelerating.
“I’m excited,” I tell Brandon. He turns his head to look at me, nodding in agreement.
“Yeah. It’s going to be great.” We listen to the flight attendant go over the standard procedures and check that our belts are buckled as we take off. “I was up most of the night, so I’m going to sleep for this entire flight,” Brandon confesses.