Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 141255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
At first, I had trouble deciding what I wanted and all the people around me was a little dizzying, but salespeople were more than happy to make recommendations.
I got two pairs of jeans. I bought a pair of sneakers. And then he let me loose into a higher-end department store and I bought new underwear, some toiletries (like bubble bath), thick fluffy socks, and I bought three pairs of ladies’ winter pjs and a bathrobe. I bought 2 pairs of long pjs and one pair of super soft fleece pink and purple striped shorts with a matching hoodie.
“Anything else you want?” he asked as I emerged from the department store. He was seated on a bench with my shopping bags around his feet. He had a cup of Starbucks in his right hand and he held another Starbucks cup on his knee with his left hand. He passed it to me. My heart warmed.
“Thank you. I can’t remember the last time I had one of these.” Actually, no. I could remember. Suddenly I could remember it as clear as day, so clearly I could smell the November Juneau air. It was on my way to the airport the day I’d left from Juneau airport to leave for Bangkok.
Chills ran up my spine as I sipped it. It tasted amazing. It was milky and sweet.
“Mm. Happiness in a cup.”
“Anything else you want?” he asked again. He didn’t look pissed off. He was smiling at me.
“No. Thank you for everything. So much. I think I’ve subjected you to enough torture today and spent enough of your hard-earned money. Thank you, Dare.”
He gave me a small smile and then lifted my booty of shopping bags from the floor all into one hand and slipped handles over his wrist so he could carry his coffee in that hand. My non-coffee-holding hand had two bags in it. He took them from me and transferred them onto the already full wrist and then grabbed my hand with his now free hand and we headed back to the car.
“Wanna go eat?” he asked.
“Sure,” I replied as he opened the passenger door for me and tossed all my bags into the back seat.
He drove to a little Italian place not far from the mall. He seemed relaxed as we drove, happy even. As we entered, a man in a suit approached.
“Ah, Mr. Dario! What a surprise! We are still getting ready for dinner, but come, sit. We will look after you and the beautiful lady.”
“Nice to see you, Augustus. Is Ed in?”
“I don’t think so yet, Mr. Dario. He’s expected any minute. Please introduce me to this lovely lady!”
“This is…” He stopped and looked at me. His face was blank. I was relieved he didn’t introduce me as Felicia, that he remembered I didn’t want to be called that any longer.
“Angel,” I extended a hand to the older Italian man. “Nice to meet you.”
“Angel. Bella! Face of an angel, Mr. Dario. Such a beauty. So lucky, Mr. Dario, so lucky. Right this way.”
We were seated and Dario was studying me. I gave him a smile. He didn’t smile back. He didn’t look angry but he was studying my face, trying to figure something out, I think.
He started talking in a flurry of Italian to a waiter that came over and filled our water glasses. This was a nice place. Intimate. Dim. Red and white checked tablecloths with candles on the tables. I could smell food cooking and it smelled amazing.
We were quiet. It was a little awkward. Then a tall, dark-haired and good-looking guy dressed in chef whites came over and put his hand on Dario’s shoulder.
“Hey, man. How are you? You okay with a coupla specials since you’re here right in the middle of prep for dinner?”
“Sounds good, man. And I’m good. Uh, Angel, this is my brother-in-law, Eddy. This place is owned by my family. Ed’s the head chef and manager.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said. “I’ve had your food. It’s wonderful. Best pizza I’ve ever had.”
Eddy beamed at me. “Thank you; I try. Nice to meet you.” He gave Dare a sly look. “I’m sure it’s why Dare’s sister married me. My cooking.” He shrugged. There was a clatter in the kitchen and he said, “Excuse me. I’ll get those specials out.”
I smiled at Dare. He sighed and shook his head.
“Your Italian is beautiful. Do you speak any other languages?” I asked.
“Spanish, Icelandic, a little French,” he muttered.
“Wow.”
He took a sip of his water and shook his head at me some more.
“Have I upset you?” I asked.
“What’s your name?” he asked me.
“It’s Angel,” I answered, feeling tingles spark in my chest.
He shook his head. “Sweetheart…”
“Can we leave it at that? Please?”
He was jiggling his legs with vigor, continuing to shake his head at me. Then his gaze sharpened. “I could make you tell me, couldn’t I?”