Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
If I had to hazard a guess, he was in his room probably with at least two or three women celebrating in his own way. To each his own, I guess. Still didn’t help me with my boredom.
From what Loren had told me, Bryson’s and Nick’s rooms were up on the third floor, but a small sitting area was up there where they would hang out as well. According to her, the third floor was off-limits to everyone except Nick and Bryson. If that was the case, then that was where I needed to be to get away from everyone. Besides, I was Nick’s girlfriend’s best friend. Exceptions would be made. At least I hoped they would.
When I walked into the middle of the living area of the third floor, I stopped at the sound of moaning coming from behind one of the closed doors.
“Please don’t be Loren,” I whispered as I quickly made my way to the large sliding glass door. I opened it and stepped outside, inhaling the fresh air. It felt heavier here than back home in Hamilton, yet it was better than being inside. Even up on the third floor, the smell of booze and fifty-thousand kinds of perfume was too much to take.
The massive balcony overlooked downtown Seattle, as well as the baseball field. I walked up to the rail and took hold of it before I closed my eyes. The sounds of cars honking and sirens in the distance made me wince.
Sighing, I opened my eyes. “God, I hate the city, and in the words of Chandler Bing, could this be any more boring.”
My obsession with Friends was clearly coming out.
A soft chuckle came from behind me to the right. I spun around and put my hand over my heart. “Shit! You scared me.”
Tucked away in the corner sat a man. He was so far back one might have thought he was in hiding.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
His deep and masculine voice sent a strange little jolt to my nether regions. “What are you doing out here?” I asked as I leaned against the railing and folded my arms in front of me.
“Hiding.”
I laughed. “I don’t blame you. I was told not to come up to the third floor, but the moment I heard there was a balcony, and it would be empty, I decided the risk was worth it. You must have thought the same. This is a beautiful spot to hide.”
“Who are you hiding from?”
I shrugged. “Not really a who…more like the whole thing. I’m not much of a party person, but my best friend is dating one of the players who lives here and begged me to come.”
“Who is the player?” he asked.
“Um, Nick Rossi.”
He leaned forward, and I could barely make out his face from the light filtering outside. “You’re Rose Shaw?”
I tilted my head and studied him. “How did you know that?”
“I make it my business to know everyone who enters my home.”
My mouth dropped open. “Bryson? Wait, you’re Bryson Robinson?”
“I am. Loren has told me a lot about you.”
Glancing back into the penthouse, I frowned. “Has she now.”
“You’re from Hamilton, Montana?”
“I am,” I said as I turned my head and tried to study him. I couldn’t get a good look at his face since the light from inside was hitting the back of his head.
“Your family owns a pretty big ranch outside of there.”
“They do.”
I could tell one thing about him in the dim lighting, though. He was smiling, and hell, if I didn’t want to see it.
Clearing my throat, I said, “I find it strange you know so much about me, yet I know nothing about you and can hardly even see your face.”
He chuckled, and it made my lower stomach pool with a heat I hadn’t experienced in a very long time.
Bryson stood and walked over to me, coming into the light. He was tall, maybe six foot? I had to lean my head back to look up at him.
He smiled, and my heart tripped over itself. “Can you see me now, Rose?”
“Is it me, or did you try to make my name sound sexier than hell when it left your lips?”
He laughed, and this time, it was a real belly laugh. “I wasn’t trying to do that.”
I nodded, almost disappointed he hadn’t been trying to flirt.
There was a beat of silence before Bryson said, “To make things fair, ask me anything.”
“Really?” I replied, suddenly no longer bored. “Anything?”
“Anything.”
“Where are you from?”
For a moment, he looked taken aback by my question. “That’s your first question?”
I shrugged. “It’s the one I want to know.”
He stared at me as if he couldn’t figure me out before he finally answered. “Kalispell, Montana.”
“Seriously?”
He used his finger to cross his heart. “Born and raised.”
“Do you miss Montana?”
The way his smile faded was answer enough. “I do. More than I’d like to admit.”