Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Getting up, I walk to the kitchen and glance at the clock on the microwave. It’s a little after one. When I pass the window that looks out at the ocean, I can see that the beach below is filled with people.
I grab the jug of water from the fridge and two glasses from the cabinet. When Reese walks around the corner into the living room a few minutes later, Jeb trots her way with his tail wagging.
“Hey, new friend.” She pets his head when he shoves it into her stomach.
“That’s Jeb.”
“Jeb.” She grins, taking his face in her hands. “You sure are handsome.”
He woofs like he knows what she’s saying, and she giggles, looking up and meeting my gaze.
“How are you feeling?”
“Great.” She laughs. “I’m guessing you couldn’t wake me up.”
“You were out of it. I thought about taking you to the hospital, but I called my sister-in-law instead. She said you’d be fine but asked if you were on any allergy medication.”
“I am.”
“Apparently, that can affect how the Dramamine works.”
“Now I know.”
“Now you know,” I agree. “Do you want some water?”
“No. I’ll just get something at home since I’m starving.”
“I have food. Or we can order in.”
She studies me for a moment like she’s debating taking me up on my offer, then shakes her head. “That’s okay.” Her smile is small. “I’ll get out of your hair.” She picks up her bag from the coffee table where I put it. “Thanks for taking care of me and for today. The boat ride was fun...” She wiggles her head from side to side. “Until it wasn’t.”
“Yeah.” I laugh, scrubbing my fingers through my hair, at a loss for how to get her to stay—or why I want her to so badly. Sure, I’m attracted to her, but she honestly seems totally disinterested in me, and it’s fucking with my head and making me question if I really like her or if I just like her because she seems almost unattainable.
With her bag in hand, she starts to the door. Of course, Jeb begins to follow. I walk behind them to stop him from getting out and then pause when she turns to face me.
“Scream is playing on the beach tomorrow night. I was thinking about going when I get home from work.” She rubs her full lips together. “Would you want to go with me?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.” She smiles. “I’ll text you and let you know when I get home.”
“Sounds good.” I step around her, grab Jeb’s collar, and then open the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.” Of course, she stops to give my fucking dog a rubdown and a hug while I stand there and watch, then her eyes meet mine, and my stomach muscles clench. “Later.”
“Later, Ree.” That gets me another smile, and then she’s gone. I close the door behind her and look down at Jeb, who looks like he’s pouting while gazing at the closed door. Then he meets my eye, and I swear he glares. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I tried to get her to stay; she didn’t want to.” Letting out a huff, he turns his back to me and walks to the living room, sprawling out on the floor. “Are you so mad that you don’t want to go for a walk?” I grab his leash, and he’s instantly back up and dancing around my feet.
“Thought so.” I laugh.
Chapter 7
Reese
With my cell pressed between my ear and shoulder, I walk into my closet wrapped in a towel to look for something to wear while listening to my mom tell me about the venue she found for her wedding. I’m only half-paying attention. Not because I don’t care, but because I’m running late. I’m supposed to meet Brodie downstairs in less than ten minutes so we can go have dinner, something that has become a nightly ritual for us since we watched Scream together on the beach a week ago. I’m still not quite sure how it happened, but somehow, we’ve ended up with dinner plans every day this week.
“You’ll be able to make it for the wedding, right?” my mom asks as I slip a simple black cotton summer dress over my head.
I squeeze my eyes closed as I adjust the thin straps at my shoulders. “Um. I…”
“Reese, it’s my wedding. You can’t honestly tell me you might miss it.”
Guilt eats at my insides. “Mom.”
“I know what happened.” She drops her voice. “Melissa told me you got upset that she and Kirk were spending time together.” I almost laugh… Almost. “You can’t be mad that they’re friends, Reese.”
So, they’re still friends? I don’t ask.
“I would never be mad that they’re friends or that they were spending time together.” I was angry that they were sleeping together behind my back. I don’t tell her that. I can’t. “School starts in August. I haven’t gotten my schedule yet, so I’m not sure. Plus, I still have to work.”