Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
It’s only when he says this that I realize I’m practically panting, my chest heaving, my body tense.
“You’re not the type that gets into fights,” Julian says sympathetically.
It has nothing to do with almost getting into a fight. I would’ve buckled his legs and shattered his jaw for putting his hands on her, but I don’t tell Julian that. This comes from something else.
I wanted to follow Tori to her table, laugh with her some more, and spend time with her—almost like I haven’t seen where something like this will end.
Some scars cut deep and leave a mark. It’s the crap with my brother, with the woman he stole from me, and with the kid they left behind.
I’ve got too much baggage. Maybe it’s for the best I’ll never see Tori again, even if that thought hurts far more than it has any goddamn right to.
CHAPTER 5
TORI
“Don’t you dare feel guilty,” Cleo snaps. “It sounds like he deserved to get fired… or worse, the sleazeball. What did he think he was going to do, force you to accept his little love letter? I wouldn’t be surprised if it had anthrax in it or something. The creep.”
“He took it too far this time,” I agree.
“Are you okay?” Lily touches my arm. “Do you want to stay?”
“We can’t leave now. What if she gets the silver fox hunk’s number? He’s the one who saved you, right?” Cleo points in my savior's direction.
My cheeks burn. “Don’t point.”
She lowers her hand. “Sorry. I was only messing around.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t mean to snap.”
It’s time to chillax, Tori. I was trying to play it casual back there, but when that man strode behind the bar, my body got all tingly. He was well over six feet tall, with a square, strong jaw, and his eyes were a shade of brown that could be Valentine-red in certain lights. His casual blue shirt, the top two buttons undone, showed his firmly muscled chest.
Mostly, the tingles came from the way he looked at me. It was protective, almost like he was telling me with his intense eyes that I never had to worry about anything ever again.
That’s why I ran. My poetic side was trying to take the reins. I can’t be like Mom, swept off my feet just because a man looks at me.
“Time for the numbers,” Cleo says, interrupting my thoughts. “Want me to get yours, Tori?”
Before I can answer, she darts toward the line.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Lily asks, smiling softly.
“It’ll take more than that douchebag to ruin my night. How about you? Surviving being away from Clive for the evening?”
She laughs, and my plan works. She starts talking enthusiastically about her and Clive’s most recent romantic walk.
Cleo joins us a few minutes later, her voice loud even with the music humming in the background. “I tried to be sneaky to see who got our numbers from our envelopes, but they mixed them all up. Guess there’s not a ‘try before you buy policy.’”
“How did they mix them up?” Lily asks.
“They made me take a number, then shuffled the envelopes around so I couldn’t see who took the other one. They said they matched numbers in pairs.
“So you have to give your number before you get yours?” Lily says.
Cleo nods. “Exactly, so they know which to give you. But why are you so interested, huh?”
Lily rolls her eyes. “Don’t take it there. I’m just curious.”
“Thanks,” I mutter when Cleo hands me my number.
“Hey – serious… uh, Sissy.”
“Sissy?”
“I’m not the bookworm. Cut me some slack.”
The mention of being a bookworm hits too closely at my secret hobby. Do I need to be ashamed about that? My friends would be supportive, but keeping it hidden somehow feels like the best option.
“I’m just saying,” Cleo goes on. “Not everything has to be serious all the time. Just try to have some fun with it. Hey…” Cleo puts her hand on my arm. “I know I seem like the most fun, not to mention funniest, most charismatic person you’ve ever met…”
“I’m sure there’s going to be a point in here somewhere,” I mutter playfully.
Cleo grins. “But I don’t always feel that way. Sometimes, you have to try. Or drink. Either, or.”
She knocks back her drink.
“That was almost moving,” I say sarcastically.
“Keep. It. Casual.” Cleo gestures as though painting the words in the air. “That’s the name of the game. Do me a favor. Call it a Valentine’s gift.”
“Okay, I’ll try. You’re probably right. I’m far too ‘doom and gloom’ sometimes. It can’t be healthy.”
“Sometimes, you act like you’re two hundred and one, not twenty-one,” Cleo says.
“She has her reasons,” Lily defends.
“She’s right, Lily,” I cut in with a sigh. “I’m at a bar on Valentine’s, and I was just…” I stop myself. I was about to say, Saved by a silver fox. “Just thinking I need to make more of an effort.”