Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Much easier.” She smiled. “So, can I see my lab? I’m a bit excited to see my canvas.”
“Of course.” I left the desk and came around to her side. “I’ll give you a tour as well.”
“That’s very kind of you, Deacon.” She stepped up next to me, keeping my pace even in her heels, just a few inches shorter than me. She was easy to talk to like the other physicians I worked with. It was just easier for me to get along with people similar to myself, because we were always interested in talking about work—which was the only thing I ever wanted to talk about.
Dr. Hawthorne wanted to step into my lab, so I took her for an intimate tour, showing her exactly what I was working on so she could see it with her own eyes. On the way, I introduced her to everyone else, and the men were particularly timid around her, probably because she was attractive.
It caused me to work late, and I wasn’t in the back seat of my car until six. I texted Cleo. Hey, baby.
Hey, babe.
I smiled as I looked at the exchange on my screen. Tucker wants us to meet him for a drink at 7. Can you make it?
Uh…I think so. I’ll ask Matt to finish up for me.
He’s introducing us to some woman he met.
Really? Oh, that’s so great!
I knew she was relieved because that meant their relationship was truly in the past. But I already knew Tucker had no hard feelings—because he’d pushed me toward her so hard. After Cleo dumped him, he’d gotten laid more times than I did. But I never told her because that seemed crass. Her name is Pria.
Lovely name.
Can we go together?
I should probably go alone. I’ll meet you there, Deacon.
I was really annoyed with all this secrecy. This was an important relationship to me, and I was tired of pretending to be single. I was tired of tiptoeing around Valerie when I didn’t give a fuck how she felt about Cleo. Alright. Cleo worked long hours, and there were times when I didn’t see her for days, and while I missed her, that never really bothered me. But this…this shit was getting old.
I got to the bar before Cleo.
Pria was a blonde. With long, curled hair and light-colored eyes, she was exactly Tucker’s type. She was turned toward him with her fingers wrapped around her beer, smiling as he spoke to her, her fingers slightly twirling her hair.
I really didn’t like talking to people I didn’t know. I already struggled with people I actually did know. So, I had to sit there and get to know this woman, who might not even be a serious presence in Tucker’s life. He might have a new girl next week.
I stopped at the bar and ordered two beers just to stall in case Cleo walked in. When she didn’t, I headed to the table and sat down.
“Look who it is.” Tucker clinked his beer against mine. “Where’s Cleo?”
“Running a little late.” I turned to Pria. “I’m Deacon. Nice to meet you.” I shook her hand.
“Pria.” She smiled, shook my hand, and then returned to twirling her hair. “You both look so much alike…”
“But I’m hotter, right?” Tucker asked.
Pria chuckled then leaned into him. “Of course.”
I had to sit there and watch them do this for the next hour?
Tucker leaned into her and kissed her.
I’d kissed Cleo in front of him once—and it was in my own home. I drank from my beer and looked at the TV. Fuck, this was going to be a long night.
Cleo finally joined us. “Sorry I’m late.”
Oh, thank god. I pulled out her chair so she could sit down.
“What did I miss?” She set her purse on the counter.
My arm moved around her, and I pulled her into me to kiss her, because I wanted to kiss her every time I saw her, especially after missing her all day. I was busy at work, my mind completely absorbed in my research, but she popped into my mind from time to time.
She melted at my kiss—like always. “I got you a beer.”
“Thanks.” She turned to Tucker and Pria. “I’m Cleo.” She shook her hand across the table. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
“You too,” Pria said. “And you two are adorable.”
“Aww, thanks,” Cleo said.
“How long have you been together?”
“Only a couple of months,” Cleo said. “We’re in the honeymoon phase.”
“That’s so sweet.”
Tucker nodded to Pria then winked at me.
I cocked an eyebrow.
He subtly pointed at both of them then waggled his eyebrows.
I continued to stare at him blankly.
Then he mouthed, “They’re getting along.”
Instead of mouthing back, I just said the words out loud. “Why didn’t you just say that?”
Tucker rolled his eyes and drank his beer. “What’s new with you?”
Cleo and Pria finished their conversation, and then we spoke as a group again.