Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Seriously?”
She looked dreamy. “He is wonderful, Raven. Quiet. Calm. But I get the feeling he sees everything, you know? I told him how restricted our budget was and how I wished we could do something special for the kids like a trip to the zoo, and the next thing I knew, he sent me an email with all the particulars in it.”
“That is very generous.”
“He told me he grew up poor. He knows what a day like that would mean to a kid. It’s the Wednesday of the first week of camp. I already have the permission forms for the parents to fill out and have asked for some volunteers.”
Knowing he’d want to be there, I smiled. “I’ll ask Damien.”
“Great. Stewart is away that week, so he can’t come. I told him he’d already done enough.”
“I’d say so.”
“And he reminded me he wants to meet you. Maybe next week for a double date?”
“Sure. I’ll check on Damien’s schedule.”
We cashed out and went to her car. I glanced around, not seeing anyone, but certain I wasn’t as alone as I thought. We headed to the bar, grabbing a table with enough room for our laptops. We ordered drinks and some munchies to share and had just taken a sip as a group of businessmen walked past us on their way out. One of them stopped, staring at our table. “Deb? What are you doing here?”
She looked up, a huge smile on her face. “Stew?”
He smiled and bent, brushing a kiss to her cheek. He waved at the men leaving and smiled down at her. “Having a drink with some associates. It’s been a day.” Then he turned to me, offering me his hand. “You must be Raven. Deb talks about you all the time—I feel as if I know you already.”
I shook his hand, shocked at the dampness of his palm and the odd feeling I got when his fingers closed around mine. I put it down to my nervousness of being out in public without Damien beside me or seeing a familiar face.
“Deb told me about your generosity for the kids. Thank you.”
“Happy to do so. Kids are a soft spot for me.”
I studied him. He was tall, his shoulders broad, contrasting with his lean build. He had brown eyes, short dark hair, and glasses. A beard. He was as attractive as Deb had stated, but there was something about his expression that bothered me. It was pinched. Disgruntled. Then I shook my head. I was imagining things. Again, I put it down to nerves. Maybe he was wishing I weren’t there. He had barely looked at me, seemingly only having eyes for Deb.
“Join us?” Deb asked.
“Can’t, I’m afraid. Heading to another meeting. But I’ll see you tomorrow, right, dollface?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
He bent and kissed her again. “Sorry, I have to catch up with the crew. One of them is part of the next meeting.” He touched Deb’s shoulder and offered me a wave.
“Nice to meet you, Raven. Cool name, by the way. I look forward to seeing you again.”
Then he was gone, Deb’s gaze following him. He stopped by the two men from the group who were outside and said something. One of them pointed, and he nodded, clapping them on the shoulder. Then he headed that way, and a moment later, they followed. I looked over at Deb, seeing her watching him.
“Dollface?”
She grinned. “He calls me that all the time.”
“You really like him,” I stated.
She nodded. “I do. He’s like a dream come true.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to say something about dreams becoming nightmares, but I stopped. What was wrong with me? It had to be my recent experience. Deb was happy, and I needed to be happy for her.
Our nachos arrived, and Deb rubbed her hands. “Let’s eat, then we can work.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
DAMIEN
“Stop fidgeting.”
I glanced at Egan.
“Your leg is bouncing. Relax.”
I blew out a long breath. “Sorry.”
“Worried about Raven’s shopping trip later?”
I was honest. “Yes.”
“You got it covered?”
“Yes.”
“Then trust your people.”
He was right.
“How long are we going to be waiting here?”
He shrugged. “I told you. He got caught on a phone call. He’ll be out soon.” He glanced around the off-site space where The Real Connection housed its backups. “Pretty spiffy.”
I nodded. “It is.”
“Remember what I told you about this guy. Don’t take offense.”
“Right. No handshakes, stay out of his space, don’t get personal.”
“Yeah, he’s a bit jumpy.”
A moment later, the man himself appeared. Jeff Drew was tall, the word rotund coming to mind. Heavyset, his scalp gleaming under the bright lights, he shuffled his way over. His hazel eyes were large behind thick glasses, his scruff helping hide a thick chin. He nodded at us. “Gentlemen.”
I nodded back, not offering my hand. “Damien DeSalvo. Thank you for your cooperation.”
He ran a hand along his bald head, his thick wedding band catching the light. “I built this site so people could find their soul mate. Get to know someone without seeing them first.” He smiled ruefully. “My wife and I met online years ago. We talked for weeks before meeting or exchanging pictures. She didn’t care about my appearance. She cared about the man she had come to know. I used that idea to develop this app. To think someone is using the site to stalk women? It’s horrifying. Of course I want to help.” He shook his head, his eyes sad. “Please follow me.”