Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
She’d like to think that kind of an accomplishment would make her mother proud, as well, or even impress her a bit. But Jessica knew not to pin her hopes on that kind of illusion. She’d learned from a very early age that pleasing Amelia Cavanaugh meant being molded into someone and something she wasn’t. And anything that had to do with Curvy Girl Couture and embracing the woman she was, was only met with disappointment and criticism. Of course, her mother’s constant judgment hurt, but it didn’t and wouldn’t stop Jessica from pursuing what she loved.
It was after four by the time Jessica finished everything important so she’d have the weekend free to spend with Derek. She was looking forward to watching him work his ass off around her place while she enjoyed making him sweat. Literally. He’d texted her a few hours ago to let her know he was headed to her house to get started on the list she’d sent to him, since most everything that needed to be tended to was outside.
Jessica tidied up the back office desk at Curvy Girl Couture and made sure she slipped the file folders of information for the launch and brochure into her pale pink attaché case, along with the current design sketches she was drafting just in case she had time in the evenings to work on them. She loved the creative process and found it a relaxing way to unwind before bed.
She walked into the boutique area just as Avery was finishing up with one of their regular customers, who’d purchased a chic faded denim jacket, matching boyfriend jeans, and a flattering pintuck blouse. Avery talked her into adding a cute set of bangle bracelets that would complement the outfit, then bagged up all the items.
“I’m going to head out for the weekend,” Jessica said to Avery once the woman was gone and the place was quiet except for Maddie, one of their friends and also a salesgirl at Curvy Girl, who was dressing a mannequin in one of the new sweater dresses that had just come in for the upcoming fall season. “I’ll see you and Maddie tomorrow evening, around six, as planned?”
“I personally wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Avery said with a grin. “And Maddie is looking forward to a fun girls’ night out, too, aren’t you, Maddie?”
“Most definitely!” She draped a chain belt around the mannequin’s midsection to show a potential customer how they could accentuate their own curves. “I love that we’ll have our own designated driver so we can all enjoy a few drinks while dancing and not have to worry about how we’ll get home.”
“Does Derek know that he’s going to be our personal chauffer to Club Ten29?” Avery asked.
“Not yet. But I’m sure he’ll appreciate the break from all the manual labor around my place. Speaking of which . . .”
Jessica dug her cell phone out of her purse and unlocked the screen, intending to take a peek at his progress and possibly get a glimpse of the glistening sweat on his tanned muscles. She could only hope he was working shirtless.
“Let’s take a look at how much he’s accomplished. I’m not going to lie. Knowing he’s getting down and dirty kind of makes me happy—and no innuendos from you, please.” She gave Avery a pointed look.
Avery wrinkled her nose at Jessica. “You’re no fun.”
She tapped on the icon for her indoor/outdoor home security system and opened the one displaying her backyard, where she expected to find Derek, since that’s where the majority of work needed to be done.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to enjoy the view, but yeah, for a businessman who is probably used to snapping his fingers and having other people jump to do his bidding, it’s going to be very gratifying seeing him out of his designer suits and getting all sweaty and dirty. It will give me a bit of satisfaction for that summer I was grounded because of him . . .”
Her voice trailed off as she stared at the live feed, at first confused as she watched at least half a dozen men she didn’t recognize walking around the outside of her house with ladders, power tools, and lawn equipment. Then annoyance quickly followed as she realized what they were doing . . . all the things on her list meant for Derek to complete.
“What. The. Hell?”
Avery moved in close beside her to see the feed on Jessica’s phone while she searched the area for the man himself. One of the security cameras found him and her brother relaxing on lounge chairs in the shade by the pool—Derek wearing shorts and a casual shirt, while Ben looked as though he’d come directly from the office in his slacks and white dress shirt. They were each drinking a beer and chatting while watching over the buzz of activity around them, which only made her more irritated.