Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s yours to keep as long as you want it,” I said. “Consider it one of many prizes I’ll shower you with for doing me this solid.”
She clapped, then threw her arms around me. I held her to me, inhaling her scent and relishing the way she fit so damn perfectly in my arms.
“This was the best idea ever,” she said, pulling away.
And fuck me, her smile was infectious. The woman was dazzling on every level, so much so I almost forgot why we were even here in the first place.
“Oh, isn’t that the owners?” Luna asked, eying a table a few down from us.
“How did you know?” I asked, spotting them easily.
“I read all about them last week,” she said. “And I might’ve stocked their TikTok accounts. They’re really cool.”
I beamed at her, surprised at the effort she’d put into this trip, even though I shouldn’t be. Luna never did anything half-assed, perfectionist that she was.
“Let’s go say hello,” I said, guiding us over to their table now that they’d had a break in visitors.
“Mr. and Mrs. Ideson,” I said, reaching out my hand as I approached their table. “Brad Washbrook.”
Ezra Ideson smiled at me, recognition flashing in his eyes as he shook my hand. “Glad you were able to make it,” he said, dropping my hand and sliding it around his wife’s back. “This is my wife, Ava.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ava said, shaking my hand.
“This is my fiancé, Luna,” I said, turning toward Luna, who smiled graciously and shook their hands as well. “We’re so grateful for the invite. This is one hell of a welcome party.”
Ezra grinned as he scooped up his drink. “Our employees deserve it,” he said, motioning to the packed room with his drink. “They work extremely hard for us, so we wanted to give them a trip to remember, plus a much-needed break.”
“Wow, can I come work for you?” Luna teased, and we all laughed.
“We’re always hiring,” Ava said. “Especially with the possibility of expansion soon.” She eyed me, her dark eyebrows raised. “Which is why you’re here.”
“Absolutely,” I said. “I’m a fan of your company and the message you put out in the world. I’m hoping after this trip, you’ll consider me as a backer.”
“Ahh,” Ezra said, waiving me off. “No business tonight, Brad. It’s a party. Have fun, enjoy yourselves. It’s what we’ll be doing.” He tucked his wife closer to him, leaning down to steal a quick kiss. “There will be plenty of time for you and the other investor to give us your thoughts.”
“Thank you,” I said, nodding to them as someone called them across the room.
“That went well,” Luna said. “Don’t you think?”
“Definitely,” I said. “I knew business wasn’t going to happen tonight. It was good to put a face to the email chain though.”
“Oh! There’s a chocolate fountain!” Luna’s hand flew to my forearm, her eyes focused on the space where all the food tables were stationed. “Can we?”
I furrowed my brow as I studied her. She was actually asking. Like I’d say no.
He probably did all the time.
Fuck that guy. If I did one thing right on this trip, it would be showing Luna how she deserved to be treated.
“You never have to ask,” I said, heading with her toward the dessert station.
“I need to travel with you more often,” she said, loading up a plate with strawberries before drenching them in chocolate.
“It’s been a while,” I said, getting my own plate before we headed back to our table. “What was the last trip we took?” I considered. “Greece?”
Luna nodded, her lips wrapping around the strawberry in a way that made my muscles tight. Fuck, those lips were dangerous, all plump and kissable. “That was almost six years ago,” she said. “My parents got so drunk on that trip.” She laughed.
“Mine too,” I said, shaking my head. Our families had been friends since before we were born, and we’d been taking trips together since we were kids.
But this trip was different. It wasn’t a family thing, it was a me and Luna thing, and I couldn’t help but revel in that.
“I haven’t taken a real vacation since before I opened the shop,” she said after a few more bites. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
“Then we should do it more often,” I said before I could stop myself. “Everyone deserves a vacation, and not just one every six years.”
Luna smiled at me, chasing some stray chocolate from her lip with her tongue. I tracked the move, the need to span the distance between us and see just how much she tasted like chocolate almost bringing me to my knees.
“I know,” she said. “But you know I have a hard time delegating. It’s all I can do to let Janice run the shop when I have appointments. But she’s definitely stepped up for this trip.”