Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
I figured after all that ruckus, we would be staying in for the night, but Jake said there was no way in hell we would be letting those two screw things up for us.
“Oh no,” he laughed as he told me to get changed and meet him over at his house when I was ready. “I planned tonight, and that plan is not changing because of them.”
I smiled and went upstairs to shower and pretty up after work. Jake wouldn’t tell me what to wear or where we were going, so I put on some black heels, a black skirt, and a semi-casual light blue blouse that I think kind of matches his eyes. It’s not casual, but I’m also not overdressed. I think it’s kind of right in the middle.
Jake smiles when I come out of the house. He’s leaning against his car and totally checks me out as I walk over to him. I love it, despite my blushing.
“Sexy,” he says with a nod of approval.
“Thank you,” I reply, kicking my right leg up behind me in a silly way as I reach his car. “Do you like my top?”
“I do.”
“Do you know why I chose it?” I don’t expect him to answer correctly. It’s totally a girl thing, but at least I’ll be able to tell him why.
“Because it matches my eyes?” His response completely shocks me. I audibly gasp, and Jake laughs. “Didn’t think I’d get that one, did you?”
I shake my head. “I did not.”
He taps his index finger on the side of his head. “Little smarter than you might think.”
“And here I thought you were just a dumb grunt,” I tease as I get in the car. He chuckles and closes the door behind me, then goes around to his side.
“I’ve been taking night classes,” he says as we pull out of the driveway. “On how to deal with women who like to tease you.”
“Oh, yeah?” I laugh. “They seem to be paying off. I just hope they aren’t costing you too much money.”
“I provide security for the professor.” Jake grins, tapping the side of his head again.
“Ah.” I smile, nodding. “Smart.”
Jake puts his hand on my thigh and leaves it there as we pull out of the neighborhood. It’s not long before I start seeing signs for Cove Island Park.
“Cove Island!?” I exclaim. “Is that where we’re going?”
Cove Island Park is one of my favorite spots in the area. My mom and dad used to take me to the beach there when I was little, but I haven’t been in the longest time. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because of my dad not being around anymore. I guess without him maybe I thought it just wouldn’t feel the same.
“We sure are.” Jake smiles, taking a familiar turn that will lead us to the beach.
“I love Cove Island Park!” I say. “But how did you know?”
“Psychic, I guess,” Jake chuckles, making crazy eyes at me.
“Oh, come on,” I snort. “Seriously, how did you know? My mom? It must have been my mom.”
Jake nods. “She might have mentioned it once.”
A flood of memories and emotions come over me as we pull down the road leading to the park. It’s been so long since I’ve been here, and yet nothing has really changed.
I can still remember just how happy I was when my parents would bring me for the day. Now I’m here with Jake and feeling just as happy. A different kind of happiness, but still equal.
There are very few cars, and Jake parks out of the way so we can have some privacy when we get out. He takes my hand, and we walk down the beach, away from the pre-setup campsites and the people mingling with their families.
The weather is perfect. The sun hasn’t quite gone down yet, and the breeze coming off the water is cool but not cold. The sky is a mixture of blue and purple and orange, like a beautiful oil painting meeting the ocean.
“Gosh, it’s been so long since I’ve been here,” I say with a deep sigh. “I’m feeling almost slightly overwhelmed, Jake.”
“You see why I wasn’t going to cancel my plans?” he asks with a smile. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. It may not be cold out, but I love the warmth of his body against mine.
“Yes.” I nod happily. We come upon a small stack of rocks and stop to look down at it. “I used to try and make these all the time when I was young, but I could never balance them right.”
Jake removes his arm from around my shoulders, and I look over at him, expecting to see him picking up another rock to add to the stack, but instead, I see something that takes my breath away.