Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I smile at how proud and confident she is. I don't know much about any of this, but she makes painting look easy.
“When I'm done with this, you can keep it if you want,” she says, glancing at me. “No pressure, of course. Otherwise, I'm sure your grandmother wouldn't mind an extra piece.”
“She'd love it,” I agree. “But I'd be honored to have it, too.”
I move to get a better view of the piece. Though this canvas is smaller than the one for the commemoration, it's already nearly complete.
“I'll need something to remind me of the sassy pain in the ass who keeps sneaking into my bed,” I add.
She snorts, then steps back until her ass nearly presses against me. I grip her hip, tempted to spin her around and do something I shouldn't. Since that first time we kissed, I've thought about doing it again.
Oakley turns and meets my eyes. “You call me that, but I think you'll secretly miss my company. I bet it gets lonely out here.”
She's right, but I'm not about to admit it.
I'm also not ready to admit how much I want her right now.
“Oakley.” I lower my voice as our mouths pull toward each other.
Right before I do something stupid, my phone rings in my pocket.
“Shit,” I mutter, taking a few steps back when I realize just how close we were. “It's probably my uncle Jack.”
I quickly silence it. “I better call him back and get ready to go meet him. He needs an extra hand in the orchard. Gonna be getting dirty today.”
“Really? Maybe I should come watch. Sounds entertaining.” She smirks, then returns her attention to the canvas.
I walk to the door but stop before I go inside. “I gotta help set up for Saturday after I help my uncle, but I'll pick you up for lunch. Text me if you need anything before then.”
“Will do,” she says without a second glance.
Maybe I'm broken, or maybe she's growing on me, but I look forward to eating meals with her, even if it slows me down.
“So I gotta tell you something,” Oakley says. She’s sitting across from me at the inn as we eat lunch. I'm filthy, and my shirt has grass stains, but I can’t go home and shower. After this, I'll be heading out again.
I drop my fork and flash her a deadpan expression. “I don't like the sound of that.”
“Aspen stopped by your house shortly after you left and asked if we’d join her and her fiancé for dinner.”
“Please tell me you didn't—”
“I had no choice! If I came up with an excuse, it'd be fishy.”
“Hell no. I'm not going on some weird double date with my ex,” I say firmly.
“Well, suck it up, buttercup. I already agreed and told her we'd be happy to join them. If we bail now, it'll be too suspicious. She was already looking at me weird.”
“Just tell her I couldn't break away from work on time. She knows I’m busy preparing for Saturday.”
“Oh come on, it won't be that bad. Just pretend you like me, and I'll do the same, and she'll be none the wiser.” She shrugs.
“Yeah, that's easier said than done,” I mumble.
“Trust me, it's no picnic for me, either, especially considering your mood swings. But I'm already in too deep to confess the truth, and I don't want to look like a fool.”
I hadn't considered how this would affect Oakley, and now I feel guilty as hell.
“Fine,” I grind out. “One hour max and then we get the fuck out.”
“Works for me. The less I have to listen to her squeaky voice, the better.”
That makes me snort. “She wasn't always so damn annoying.”
She gives me a doubt it look. “You were probably too blinded by love to see it.”
Probably true.
Before we leave, I say hello and goodbye to my grandparents. They chat with the guests while helping them check in. Thanks to Aspen's loud mouth, my grandma thinks Oakley's my girlfriend, so now we have to play the part when she's around too.
“You two make the sweetest couple,” she gushes. “Are you planning to date long distance, or are you moving here?” Her question is directed at Oakley, and again, I feel awful for her being put on the spot, so I quickly chime in.
“We're still figuring things out, Grandma. Nothing's set in stone.” I wrap my arm around Oakley, pulling her into my side. She snakes her arm behind me and pinches me.
“I'll definitely be visiting often,” Oakley tells her.
“That's great to hear.” My grandma smiles.
After we escape the inn, we unglue ourselves on the way to my truck.
“I finished that painting,” she tells me once we're buckled.
“Yeah? I'll have to find a place to hang it. There's a nice empty wall above the toilet.”
She punches my arm as I drive us out of the parking lot. “You better not. I don't want you thinking of me when you're taking a piss.”