Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Knowing Allie, that was why she hadn’t called, because the kiss had been real. And while it made me realize that I wanted us to be real, even if it was just for the summer, it had scared the shit out of her.
“Turn.” Mr. Franklin gestured with his pointer finger, and I turned, wincing when I looked in the mirror.
“Can we lose the bow part of the black tie?” I felt like I just needed a rabbit and a top hat to complete the act in this thing.
Mr. Franklin looked around me, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “It’s fashionable to wear a normal tie as well.”
Thank fuck.
“You spending the weekend in New York?” Eric asked, scrolling through his phone one-handed.
“I have no idea.” Were we staying together? Separately?
He laughed. “Watching you have absolutely zero control in this situation is amazing.”
“Glad you’re enjoying it.” I turned again when Mr. Franklin told me to. “I got leave approved, so if she wants to stay the weekend, we’ll stay the weekend, and I’ve studied the Company website, so I’m prepared to meet her friends.” The idea of getting to see her life, her apartment, her work was utterly fascinating. Our only time together had been spent on behalf of Juniper. Allie hadn’t even been to my house. If it’s even going to stay your house. “You get it yet?”
Eric shook his head. “They’re supposed to be out by now. I swear, they do this just to fuck with us.”
Mr. Franklin shot Eric a disapproving look, not that he noticed as he hit Refresh over and over.
“They’re not going to send out scores on a Sunday.” I was both desperate to know and dreading all at the same time.
“Of course you’re not nervous.” Eric dropped his phone on the couch. “We all know you passed with flying colors. The only question is how high on the promotion list you’ll be.”
And what duty stations I’d put on the request list that was due in eight weeks. You have to stay here. But did I?
If I chose New York, could Allie and I have a shot? Not with your past between you. The best I could hope for was a classic summer fling, and I already knew it wouldn’t be enough.
“You passed too,” I told Eric. “I’m sure of it.”
“I think this one complements your frame better than the others,” Mr. Franklin noted, walking around the pedestal I stood on like some damned prize pony. “What do you think?”
“Clean lines. All the chaperones will approve. Just don’t forget the corsage.” Eric gave me a thumbs-up.
“Remind me why I thought you’d be helpful?” I glanced over the tux, then back at Mr. Franklin. “It’s great. Can the alterations be done in the next ten days?”
“No problem.” Mr. Franklin gestured toward the dressing room.
“Now that your monkey suit has been chosen, am I free to go grab brunch with my girlfriend? Or do you need a second opinion on the shoes too?” Eric stuck another piece of gum in his mouth and started chewing.
“Say hi to Jessica for me.” I stepped off the pedestal.
“No way. She’s still pissed about you blowing off Beth.” He got up from the couch and threw me a wave on his way out the door, and I headed for the dressing room.
My phone rang as I pulled on my T-shirt, and I swiped to answer as soon as I saw Gavin’s name scroll across the bottom of the screen. “What’s up?”
The sound of running water filled the line. “What are you doing right now?” Gavin asked.
“Finishing a tux fitting,” I answered as I sat on the plastic chair to put my shoes on. “What are you doing? White water rafting?”
“Not exactly.” Stress practically oozed out of his voice. “A pipe busted at the bar, and the whole damned kitchen is flooded. I’m here waiting for the plumber because Scott’s out of town.”
“That sucks.” I slipped my shoes on and laced them quickly. “And you’re calling me because . . .” I gathered up the tux and walked out of the dressing room.
“Because I fucked up.”
“Okay.” My eyebrows rose. “In a you-sneaked-Melanie-Dunn-into-our-room-and-need-to-get-her-out-before-Mom-sees kind of way?” I set the tux on the counter and reached for my wallet. “Or a need-to-bring-a-shovel kind of way?”
“You’ll pay when you pick it up,” Mr. Franklin told me. “I’ll call when it’s ready.”
“Thank you.” I headed out of the store, a sense of dread growing heavier with every second that Gavin didn’t answer. “Gav, if it’s a bring-your-own-shovel kind of event, calling me on the cell phone is what will get us featured on a true-crime podcast.”
“I didn’t kill anyone,” he muttered, the sound slightly garbled by the rushing water. “But she’s going to kill me if she finds out.”
“Who?” My feet hit the pavement, and I unlocked my truck with the key fob. Main Street was already flooded with tourists, and there was a line outside the restaurant across the street. The café was no doubt packed too.