Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“It’s a good thing he’s figuring stuff out,” Casey said, defending me. “He’s got plenty of career ideas to choose from now.”
“Of course.” Dad’s words were muffled behind his napkin. “That’s what matters. Besides, the twins are working out just fine.”
I breathed out in relief, avoiding Rowan’s persistent gaze.
Mom squeezed my hand. “Pretty soon, you’ll be too busy for us.”
“Now, honey,” Dad said, knowing how sentimental she could get. It was the reason she was grateful that my siblings had stayed nearby and joined the business.
Guilt wormed its way into my stomach. “Won’t happen, Mom.”
“I know. I just worry.”
“He’s got me,” Casey said. “I’ll keep him on his toes.”
Rowan cleared his throat after an awkward pause. “So tell me more about yourselves. You live in Stockton and own a plumbing business?”
“Sure do,” Dad said with pride in his eyes. “Not nearly as lucrative as yours, but we’ve made it through some lean winters.”
“The world is a bit upside down, isn’t it?” Rowan asked, spooning more soy sauce onto his plate.
“What do you mean?” Dad asked, and I stopped chewing to listen.
“Your plumbing is a necessary skill. Dressing people is not.”
I stared at him, amazed. “What happened to clothing makes the man and there’s a sartorial story for everyone and all that?” I teased.
“Believe me, I get the irony.” He clenched his jaw. “Even if this industry is something I’m passionate about. But I did get you to use the word sartorial, so there’s that.”
A smile begrudgingly tugged at my lips.
“If not for creative people, where would the world be?” Casey asked. “Music and writing were born out of hard times.”
“You’d definitely understand,” Rowan said, pointing a chopstick in Casey’s direction. My stomach constricted painfully, wishing I’d been the one who did. Which was laughable. “Broadway show, right?”
“Off-Broadway, but yes. Set design.”
I swallowed the boulder in my throat. “Casey’s show will be debuting soon. I can’t wait to see it.”
Casey smiled. “I’ll definitely score you tickets.”
“That sounds marvelous,” Mom said, even though she’d never been to a play or musical in her life. Maybe I should’ve considered that in our plans. So much to do, too little time.
“Sometimes those smaller productions are even better,” Rowan said, surprising me again.
“I’d have to agree,” Casey said.
The table grew quiet as we finished our food, which was delicious.
Rowan turned his attention to Casey and me. “What’s something you miss from your hometown?”
“Sweetie’s Custard,” we said in unison, and Mom grinned.
“It’s the best ice cream you’ll ever taste,” Dad said proudly.
“Maybe you’ll visit sometime and get a taste of your own,” Mom said to Rowan, and my pulse kicked up.
I shook my head. “I think life in the country might bore Rowan.”
“Not true,” Rowan protested. “Why do you think I leave the city whenever I can? It’s refreshing to get away from the grind of it.”
The city was dead in the summers, outside of tourists. Locals escaped to remote vacations or the beaches in Jersey. I’d already heard the show’s crew gearing up for their eight-week break. Kendall too, who spent the summers in California while the show was in reruns.
The conversation turned to my siblings and the plumbing business, and my parents really seemed to be enjoying themselves and the meal. Before we knew it, dinner was over and Rowan was squabbling with my father over the check.
“Actually, I was going to take care of it since you came all the way here,” I said, adding my voice to the mix. Even though I’d have to use my credit card. But still, I didn’t want my parents to pay for everything. The trip was expensive enough.
“Please, my treat,” Rowan said. “Especially since I was the one to suggest this place.”
Casey elbowed me, hard, so I relented. “Okay, fine. Thank you.”
My parents thanked him profusely as well, but I could tell my father was a bit miffed. It was the sort of bravado that plagued him sometimes.
As we headed into the lobby, Rowan motioned to the elevators. “You should take your parents up to the rooftop lounge to see the amazing view of the city.”
“Great idea.” I hadn’t realized it was a possibility. “You coming?”
He begged off. “You go enjoy yourselves.”
But Mom was not having it, giving him her best frown. “You must.” She hooked her arm through his. “Please, lead the way.”
“Well, that went smoother than I thought,” I whispered to Casey as we trailed behind them to the bank of elevators.
“He’s way more personable than you described. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was trying to impress your family.”
My heart tightened, but I immediately dismissed that logic. “Are you surprised? He likes nice things and is a bit arrogant about it.”
Except, I didn’t know if that was true in this scenario. And the way Casey narrowed his eyes at me, I wasn’t sure he did either.