Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“Well, aren’t we just a cheery pair?” I grinned.
He pressed the tips of his fingers together as he leaned his elbows on the table. “It’s nice to have an honest conversation with someone. Even if you’re not telling me everything, I appreciate how much you’ve opened up.”
I stared over at his masculine hands, trying not to remember the way it had felt when they explored my body.
The waitress came by again. “Can I offer you some dessert?”
“I’m pretty full.” Owen turned to me. “We still have time, though. You should get something.”
I held out my palm. “I shouldn’t…”
The waitress set a piece of paper on the table. “Well, here’s the menu just in case.”
One glance was all it took. “Actually, yes,” I told her. “I would like dessert.”
Owen chuckled. “That changed fast.”
“Well, there’s Key lime pie on the menu. I never turn down Key lime pie. Ever.”
“One Key lime pie coming up,” the waitress said.
Owen smiled. “You like it that much, huh?”
“It’s the one thing I can’t say no to.”
“Well, maybe I need to take some lessons from Key lime pie,” he teased.
A minute later, when she placed the perfect lime-green triangle in front of me with just the right amount of whipped cream, I dug in. I sighed as the tangy concoction entered my mouth. I might also have moaned.
“Wow,” Owen murmured. “I have to say, watching you eat that is quite satisfying.”
I held out my fork. “Have some.”
He shook his head. “There’s no way I’ll appreciate that bite as much as you will. Please, finish it. I’m enjoying every second.”
I gestured with my fork. “Is that like a fetish or something? Watching me eat dessert?”
“I wouldn’t have thought so until today…” He grinned mischievously. “But I’m down for pie porn.”
I laughed and stuffed another bite into my mouth. I finished every last morsel.
After Owen paid the bill, he checked his phone. “I have a client meeting at two. But damn, I could stay here all day and talk to you. I’d definitely get you another slice of that pie, too.”
I stood, wiping my mouth. “Go. You don’t want to be late.” And I can’t afford to fall for you a second longer. “I can’t thank you enough for lunch.”
“It’s my pleasure. The fact that you enjoyed it so much was the icing on the Key lime pie.” He winked. “Let me call you a car.”
“I’m completely capable of the three-block walk back. Plus, I really need to walk off the pie now. Is your office far from here?”
“Ten minutes on the subway. There’s a station around the corner. Sometimes I drive to work; other days I take the train. Depends on my mood.”
“Well…thanks again,” I told him awkwardly once we’d stepped outside.
“My pleasure. Thanks for hanging with me.” His eyes lingered on mine, and I wondered if he would hug me or something, but instead he simply turned around and walked away.
As I headed home, I realized Owen hadn’t asked me out again. It seemed this had been just a casual lunch after all, and he’d officially moved on from the idea of anything happening between us. That was a little unfortunate, because spending time with Owen today had only made me like him more.
CHAPTER 7
Devyn
I think I’m getting the hang of this.
The last six days had flown by. It had been—dare I say—a good week. Hannah had been accepted into the PS Idol contest at school and made friends with a few of the other contestants in the process. Heath had managed to score a ninety on his English test after failing last semester, and I’d taken him to the doctor for a checkup and to get the immunization forms filled out that the school had been bugging us for. God forbid Vera pay attention to things like healthcare and school rules. Even when that woman was around, she didn’t prioritize my sister and brother. And in addition to making some inroads with Heath and Hannah, I’d taken on a new client and successfully placed three actors in some very promising films this week. All in all, things were looking up.
Until the knock came.
I opened the door to find a woman wearing a beige pantsuit. She adjusted the bulging briefcase hanging from her shoulder and didn’t smile.
“Are you Vera Marks?”
I frowned. “No.”
The woman looked over my shoulder into the apartment. “Is this the home of Heath Marks?”
Uh-oh. My stomach dropped. What did he get himself into now? “It is. And who are you?”
The woman dug into the front of her briefcase and pulled out a business card. “I’m Melinda Rollins, a case worker with the Department of Child Protective Services. And you are?”
I took the card, wishing I hadn’t answered the door. But there was no way around her questions now.
“I’m Devyn Marks, Heath’s sister. Is everything okay with Heath?”