Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
I gather up my shower supplies and a change of clothes and lock myself in the bathroom. The hot water has two modes, scalding and lukewarm. Aware that I’ll be sleeping beside this man tonight, on a double mattress no less, I take it upon myself to shave my legs. I don’t want it to feel like he’s rubbing up against burrs should we accidentally make contact under the sheets. I have no reasonable explanation for shaving the rest of my important bits, apart from the fact that it’s habit. And maybe also because I have sex on the brain after staring at those sheets.
While I don’t intend to jump Lawson’s bones, I would also not be opposed to it. He’s a good-looking guy, and despite the slew of very unfortunate events and his complete lack of car knowledge, I’ve enjoyed his company. We could definitely have some fun this weekend, which isn’t something I’ve allowed myself to do in a long time.
I use the blow dryer in lieu of a towel to dry off, change into a comfy sundress, and give Lawson a turn in the shower.
“I’m just going to check out the vending machine. Any requests?” I ask as I run my brush through my wet hair.
“I’ll eat just about anything, except nuts. I don’t trust those from a vending machine.” He shrugs out of his shirt and drapes it over the brown velour chair in the corner of the room, giving me an excellent view of his defined chest and rippling abs. His cargo shorts hang low on his hips, displaying that delicious V of muscle.
“No nuts. Got it,” I echo, then bite my tongue before I say something about how much I love nuts.
On my way to the vending machine, I take a detour to the pool, just to check it out. A sad, half-deflated beach ball floats in the green tinged water, and about half a tree’s worth of leaves covers the bottom. There’s also a film of algae lining the edge.
I call Cosy as I head toward the vending machines.
“Why are you still in Utah?”
Sometimes this app thing where we can see exactly where each other is at any given time is as much a curse as a blessing. “We ran into a bit of a hiccup.”
“What kind of hiccup? Wait a second, are you at a motel?”
“I blew a tire and all the garages are closed until morning. I don’t want to drive another four hours on a spare and risk bending the frame on Ellie, so Lawson and I are staying here for the night.” I always name my cars.
“At a motel? With Lawson?”
“Yeah.” I approach the ancient vending machine and rummage around in my purse for coins. The selection is unsurprisingly weak.
“In separate rooms?”
“They only had one left.”
“You’re in the middle of buttfuck nowhere. How are all the rooms rented out?” Her disbelief is not unwarranted.
“There’s a wedding.” I start shoving quarters into the slot. “Look, I need whatever intel you have on this Lawson guy. He seems nice, but you know how shitty my man radar is.”
“Already looked into him. Based on Griffin’s reports, he’s a good guy. Kinda awkward, used to be a bit of a playboy, but seems to have settled down in the past couple of years. Might have asked about you at a party a while back. I don’t know if he’s relationship material, but if you’re having fun with him I can give you my sisterly approval and a green light to enjoy yourself should you end up spooning tonight.”
Griffin is a very stand-up guy, so his opinion is generally something I trust. “Okay. Thanks. Sister approval noted and appreciated. I’ll call you in the morning when we’re back on the road.”
“Sounds good. Have fun and stay safe.” She makes a kissy sound. “Love you!”
I end the call feeling good about my judgment as far as Lawson is concerned and go back to assessing my snack options. Funyuns and Cool Ranch Doritos, while delicious, are not ideal when sleeping in close quarters with a man I don’t know that well, but find attractive. Also, Cosy’s green light factors in at least a little.
I settle on a bag of plain chips and another of pretzels, even though I don’t particularly love them either. I check the dates to make sure they’re not expired before I also buy a package of Nibs and another of sour gummies. I only have enough quarters left for one bottle of Mountain Dew, but we can share.
“I come bearing gifts!” I shout as I shoulder my way through the door. And freeze because standing in the middle of the room with one foot in a pair of fresh cargo shorts is Lawson.
And he’s commando.
Free balling.
Also, he has a peen piercing.
Speed Dating
Lawson
I CHECKED TO make sure Nevah was still hitting up the vending machine before I stepped out of the bathroom. That was less than thirty seconds ago. I’m currently balanced on one leg, trying to get my foot in my shorts, but I’m wearing my flip-flops and I’m still damp post-shower, so the fabric is sticking to my skin, making the task virtually impossible.