Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“You’re wearing something, right?” he asks, glaring at me. “Like there is a barrier covering lady town.”
Now it’s my turn to throw my head back and laugh. “Lady town is fully covered.” I kiss his chin, his beard tickling me. “Now shall we go, or you’ll be late.” He grabs my hand, and as we walk through the lobby, I’m aware of all the eyes on us. The truck is waiting for us, and he helps me in and then slides in. He sits there and closes his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“My cock feels like it’s being choked to death,” he says, opening his eyes and looking at me. “Watching your ass get into the truck did not fucking help!” he says, rearranging his cock.
“Do you want help?” I ask him, trying not to laugh when he just looks at me. When we finally get to the store, I’m shocked by how different it is today. There are purple and white balloons outside with a red carpet leading inside. The driver opens the door, and Mark walks out and then holds his hand out for me. He walks inside holding my hand, and then I let it go when I see Tracy coming to him. She’s dressed in her own outfit, and I smile, seeing that her dress matches his tie color. I swallow down instead of laughing out loud. It’s a tight little lace number that shows off her body, her blond hair tied up at the nape of her neck.
“You’re here,” she says to Mark with a huge smile on her face. “See, I told you that tie matched.” And my stomach suddenly burns, and I wonder if I’m hungry or maybe I need a drink.
“You were right,” he tells her, and I have to wonder if he really doesn’t see it, or he’s just ignoring the fact she wants him. I look at how easy they are with each other and wonder if they ever dated. I never really asked him about his other women because frankly, I didn’t care. It had nothing to do with me or with us. Or whatever it is we’re doing. As long as we are exclusive while we are together, I don’t really care.
“The press is already starting to arrive, and I’d love to introduce you to the staff members,” she says, and I stand here, and he looks at me.
“I’ll be here,” I say to him with a smile, and then he nods, following Tracy. I look around and see that there are high tables now with purple flowers on them. A waiter who comes over with a tray of champagne.
“Merci,” I say, my French slipping out.
“Èske ou pale fransè.” He asks me if I speak French, but in creole, which is really different.
“De France pas de Louisiane.” From France, I say, not Louisiana. He smiles at me and walks away. People slowly start arriving, most of them dressed in their Sunday best, and I stand in the corner the whole time watching him do his thing. He meets with everyone, shaking their hands and smiling while he talks. Everyone smiles when he talks to them, also probably under his spell. He finally finds me a little while later.
“I’m so sorry. I was trying to get over here, and it was always something,” he says to me, his hands in his pockets.
“Don’t worry about me,” I tell him. “I have champagne.” He laughs and now turns when Tracy calls his name. “Would you go and do your thing?” I push him, and he looks down and then up again at me.
His voice goes low, and he looks at me. “Come with me.” He holds out his hand, and I know I should let him go socialize without me, but instead, my hand goes out to his. He introduces me to everyone who he meets, never giving me a title. And when he has to pose with the press, I opt out and use the bathroom as an excuse.
When I come back, I see that he is still taking pictures and now Tracy is the one standing beside him. I look at her, and I wonder if one day he’ll see her in that light. My hand goes to my stomach as the burning comes back again. I really have to eat; I look around to see if any of the waiters have food, and then I hear Tracy’s voice fill the room as she knocks a crystal glass.
“If I can get everyone’s attention,” she says, smiling, and I pretty much hate her face. “On behalf of Walk ’N’ Licks, Mark and I would like to thank you all for coming down for our opening ceremony,” she says. I grab a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, drinking it down in one gulp. She hands the speaking over to Mark, who thanks everyone for coming and hoping to come back many more times, and I wonder if I’ll come with him the next time he comes here. Will he come alone, or will he come with someone else? I exhale suddenly, and then Tracy asks everyone to step outside for the official cutting of the ribbon. I walk out of the shop and grab my phone, standing with everyone else facing them. He stands in the middle of the group with the mayor on one side and Tracy on the other side of him.