Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 70061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“It’s pretty,” she says with a nod. “I told Jacob that I didn’t need anything this fancy, but he says it’s an investment, and he likes to give me nice things.”
“Well, no one can fault him for that.” I clink my glass to hers and then stare at all of the clothes in this room. “Have you worn any of this before?”
“I have lots of leggings,” she says with a nod. “They’re super soft and I like to wear them around the house. But I haven’t worn any of the other things. I just wanted to give Penny a chance to grow her business a bit.”
“Penny?” I scan the room, and sure enough, there she is. The woman who got dumped and then castrated the moron with words. “Is that her?”
“It is. Do you know her?”
I shake my head and tell her about this morning outside of Drips & Sips.
“Oh, that sucks,” Grace says with a grimace. “She really liked him.”
“How do you know her?”
“She’s a teacher at the school.”
I nod. Grace teaches at the local middle school.
“Well, she handled herself very well.”
“Sounds like her. She’s smart.”
Grace gets pulled away to mingle with the other women. I recognize Cara King and her best friend Jillian King, who married brothers about three years ago. I’ve met them before, but I wouldn’t say we’re close friends.
In fact, aside from Grace, Drake, and my cousin Abby, I wouldn’t say I’m close friends with anyone.
And I’m not sure if that’s entirely normal or healthy.
“Why are you all by yourself over here?” Jenna Hull, Brad’s younger sister, asks. She’s smiling as she passes me another Coke.
“I’m really an observer,” I reply with a grateful smile. “Thanks for the refill.”
“No wine for you?” she asks as Grace joins us again.
“I don’t drink. I’m pretty much always on call, unless I’m on vacation, so it’s best if I stay sober.”
“Wow,” Jenna says with a frown. Even with the frown, she’s probably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. With light blonde hair and bright blue eyes, she’s a dead ringer for Kristen Bell. “I guess it never occurred to me that you’re on call 24/7.”
“There are only four obstetricians in town,” I remind her. “And I know that my patients prefer to have me deliver their babies if at all possible, so I make myself available to them.”
“I’m sure they appreciate that,” Grace says with a nod. “But you should take some time for yourself, too. I’ve been nagging you about this for years.”
“I do,” I lie.
“She just lied to you,” Grace informs Jenna, who nods in agreement.
“I do,” I insist.
“Really?” Jenna asks. “What was the last thing you did just for you?”
“I agreed to have dinner with your brother tomorrow night,” I reply before I can stop myself, and take a gulp of my soda.
Damn it.
“Seriously?” Grace asks and does a little excited jig, then almost falls over. I love Grace like a sister, and one of the things I love most about her is her clumsiness.
“You don’t say,” Jenna says with a grin. “Good for you. Brad’s a nice guy, and I’m not just saying that because I’m biased.”
“You’re totally biased,” I reply with a laugh.
“True, but aside from the sister bias, I still think he’s a great person.”
“And, he’s hot,” Grace says with a nod.
“I wouldn’t say hot,” Jenna says, wrinkling her nose.
“That’s because he’s your brother,” I reply with a laugh. “And I have to side with Grace. He’s a handsome fella.”
“Where are you going for dinner?” Grace asks.
“I have no idea. We didn’t get that far. I’m assuming he’ll just pick me up and take me somewhere.”
“How fun,” Grace says. “A first date with someone new. It’s so romantic.”
“Yeah, unless I choke on something or say the wrong thing.” I shrug. “It could be a nightmare. But he’s nice. And he offered to buy me dinner, and let’s face it, a girl shouldn’t pass that up.”
“Absolutely not,” Grace says. “Free dinner with a handsome date, who just happens to be the new chief of police? That doesn’t suck at all.”
“You’ll have fun,” Jenna agrees. “Despite being a cop, my brother is pretty laid back. There’s no pressure.”
“Well, that’s good because I haven’t been on a date in—” I check my watch “about a year and a half.”
“That’s a long time,” Jenna says with wide eyes. “Don’t you miss having sex?”
“Who has time?” I ask with a laugh.
“Trust me, when it comes to sex, you make time,” Grace replies and pats my shoulder as if in sympathy. “And as hot as Brad is, the sex is going to be off the charts.”
“Ew,” Jenna says, wrinkling her nose again. “Don’t ever say those words again.”
“He’s your brother, not a eunuch,” Grace reminds her.
“I’m not having sex with him on the first date.” Probably.
“Good,” Jenna says. “Make him work for it. Too many women throw themselves at him because he is a cop and, rumor has it, hot.”