Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Well, now you don’t have to do that. I’ll feed you and give you a ride home.”
I settle back against the buttery-soft leather seat and sigh. I won’t admit it out loud, but it feels ridiculously good to have someone else take the reins for just a minute.
I close my eyes, listening to Max and Alex talk about school and the little trip I plan to take Alex on for spring break.
I hope I can find more help at the shop by then.
“We’re here,” Max says, startling me.
“Did I fall asleep?”
“You were snoring and everything,” Max replies, making Alex giggle.
“No, you weren’t, Mom,” Alex says. “Come on, let’s eat some pizza.”
O’Donnel’s Pizza is our favorite place. They’ve been here for about fifty years, family-owned all that time, and their crust is the best in the world. The restaurant’s busy, even for a Tuesday evening, but we get a table right away.
Max and Alex decide on an extra large supreme, and I agree. I am hungry.
“Are you okay?” Max asks after he gives Alex five dollars for video games.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say.
“The kid’s happy and occupied with Pac-Man—which I can’t believe they still have—and I can chat with his mom. It’s a win-win.”
I sigh and nod. Max has a valid point.
“I’m okay. It was a rough day.”
“What’s up?”
“Besides my car dying on the highway?”
He nods and sips his Coke.
“My employee quit today. Alex’s homework is of the devil, and he’s only in the third grade, and I’ve had a headache all day.”
“You need food,” he says.
“I need a part-time employee,” I answer.
“I’m surprised you don’t have more help.”
“I do during the holidays,” I reply. “And in the summer, I’ll hire a couple of high school girls. But it’s the off-season, and one person has been enough. I’ll have my mom come take care of things when I take Alex on vacation.”
He just nods, his wheels clearly turning. Max’s business is on a much grander scale than mine. He probably has ten employees who manage his money alone.
“I’m a small business,” I remind him.
“I totally get it,” he says. “I was just trying to think if I know anyone who might need some part-time work.”
“Well, if you do, send them my way.”
“Mom! I got the high score!”
“What?” I frown and glance over at the game to see HIGH SCORE flashing on the screen. “How is that even possible?”
“I’m brilliant,” he says as he sits in the booth next to me. The waitress arrives with our pizza, and we dig in, all of us sighing in happiness after the first bite. “This is so good.”
“So good,” I agree and move Alex’s glass away from his elbow, where I have visions of him spilling it all over the table. “Here’s a napkin. Don’t wipe your mouth on your sleeve.”
“’Kay,” he says happily.
It doesn’t take us long to fill up on the delicious pizza, then we load up to leave.
“I’ll take you home,” Max offers.
“Thanks.”
He makes sure Alex and I are both buckled in before he pulls off, headed toward my house.
“It’s snowed a ton in the hour we were in there,” I say, surprised that the roads are completely covered.
“They were calling for it,” Max says with a nod. “When will you find out about your car?”
“Not until tomorrow afternoon.” I blow out a breath. “I’ll call my mom and ask her if I can borrow her vehicle.”
“No need,” Max says. “I have an extra car you can have until this is resolved.”
“Absolutely not,” I reply, shaking my head.
“So, your mom can be without her vehicle indefinitely?” he asks, and I glare at him, making his lips twitch. “And we have a plethora of car rental places in Cunningham Falls.”
“You’re a pain in the butt,” I say, making him chuckle.
“The car will be at your place in the morning.”
I sigh, thinking about everything I have to do tomorrow. Being carless isn’t an option.
“I’ll pay you for it.”
He glances over at me and cocks a brow, then glances back at Alex, who’s fallen asleep in the backseat.
“Are you trying to piss me off?”
“I would pay for a rental.”
“Willa, I’m not using the fucking car,” he says quietly. “Just don’t kill it, and I’ll be happy. I don’t want or need your money.”
“Thank you,” I say as he pulls into my circular driveway. “And thanks for rescuing us. And for the pizza.”
“You’re welcome.”
He hops out when I do and helps me pull a sleepy Alex from the backseat.
“Where is your shovel?” Max asks.
I turn to him to tell him not to worry about it, but he just narrows his eyes at me.
“In the garage. I’ll open the door for you.”
He nods, and I walk inside, set Alex on his bed, then hurry over to open the garage door. When I return to Alex, he’s stripped out of his clothes, but he’s sitting on the side of the bed, falling asleep.