Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
I smile at him as I make my way to my dresser, taking out a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. When I go to the bathroom, I close and lock the door behind me, start the shower, and then sit on top of the toilet seat, inhaling before exhaling.
I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up. I have to officially break it off with Garrett. But when I do, I know he won’t take it well. I don’t know what he’ll do, and that unknown terrifies the hell out of me.
Six
WILLOW
I have sex with him. It only takes him six minutes to finish, and I only know because my eyes constantly slide to the alarm clock, waiting for it to be over.
After Garrett leaves within the next hour to go to work, I curl up in my bed again and sleep for two hours. When I wake up, there are three missed calls from Faye and two text messages. I release a breath, sitting up and pressing a hand to my head. Before checking the messages, I wonder why Faye would call so many times and realize there’s only one explanation: She needs my help.
I trudge to the bathroom, brush my teeth, give my locs a rosewater and peppermint oil spritz refresh, and then call her back as I pick at some of my leftover cinnamon roll on the table.
“Um, hi. Why didn’t you pick up the phone the first time I called?” she demands as soon as she answers.
“Don’t I get a hello? Or how was your boat trip event thingy?” I ask, laughing.
“Oh, I’m sorry. How was your boat trip thingy, Willow?”
“It sucked donkey balls, thanks for asking.”
“That’s wonderful!” Faye shouts, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “No, I really do care about your event thingy, Willow, I really do, and you can tell me all about it very soon, but um…I have a huge issue.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“Tonight is supposed to be the open mic at Lit and Latte’s, but one of my employees called out, said she has a stomach bug. I could really use another hand, and you know I wouldn’t ask you unless I really needed the help.”
“Aw, Faye.” I sigh then walk to my closet, shuffling through the clothes on the hangers. “Of course, I’ll be there.”
“Thank you soooo much, Willow! I owe you!”
“I planned on eating a burger and fries while binging episodes of Bob’s Burgers, so yeah, you definitely owe me.”
“Damn. That sounds amazing,” she croons, as if longing for the same kind of mindless evening.
I laugh.
“Anyway, the open mic starts at seven. Please don’t be late.”
Seven
WILLOW
I didn’t expect rain when I left my apartment, and I curse beneath my breath as I hop out of my car with a magazine over my head and rush to the entrance of Lit & Latte’s.
I yank the front door open and lower the magazine as the bell above the door gives a light jingle.
“You made it!” Faye shouts from the middle of the bookstore. She bounces around a display table, dressed in a green midi-knit sweater and combat boots. Her thick, curly black hair is pulled up into a sleek bun, tendrils hanging around her heart shaped face and the nape of her neck. She pushes one of the tendrils off her tawny cheek, grinning from ear to ear, while I stand by the door, nearly damp and fighting a scowl.
“You’re lucky I love you,” I grumble as she approaches me, wrapping her arms tight around my shoulders.
“I know. I’m the luckiest bitch in the world.” When she releases me, I slide some of my locs behind my shoulders. She walks to the café counter and plucks a few napkins out of the holder. After I dry off as best as I can, she says, “Come on. Help me set up the chairs.”
I follow Faye through the bookstore, walking past a round display table that contains the latest fictional book releases, then past the café counter with a “closed for now” sign pitched on top of it. There are cupcakes and other pastries behind the dome glass, and the espresso machine is still on, which means they’ll most likely be using the café tonight during the open mic as well.
My eyes wander to the stairs leading up to the second floor. They’ve added string lights to the stair railing, as well as hanging plants above. I bet adding both was Faye’s idea. It was her idea to add more lights and plants to the entire first floor to make it feel cozier and at home, give it a hygge vibe.
Faye moves past the seating area, where there are plush, neutral-colored floor pillows and green velvet couches. All the square, wooden tables that are normally organized in the center of the floor have been lined up and pushed against the backwall, replaced with three stacks of chairs.