Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“What are you in the mood for?”
“Chicken and pineapple fried rice,” I say, and he gives me a look that states clearly he’s grossed out. “What? It’s good.”
“I’ll take your word on that,” he says right before I listen to him rattle off our order, and then he shoves his cell into his pocket. “Should be about twenty minutes. Grab your shoes you can ride with me to pick it up.” He turns away, and I blink at his back then look down, seeing my oversized T-shirt, leggings, and bare feet.
Ride with him, like in his truck? Alone?
I must stand here for longer than I realize, trying to come up with a reason I can’t go with him, because when he comes back into the kitchen, he frowns. “Ari, we gotta go. Unless you wanna eat cold Chinese.”
“Right.” I rub my lips together. “I’ll be right back.” I don’t wait for him to respond before I turn on my heel and head upstairs. When I get to my bedroom, I grab my tie-dyed hoodie and put it on over my shirt then slip on a pair of flip-flops before grabbing my purse and heading back downstairs. I find Tide in the living room, squatting down and inspecting the cans of paint he brought over yesterday. “Ready,” I say, and he turns to look at me over his shoulder then stands to his full height with such grace it’s almost fascinating to watch.
“Let’s go.” He pulls his keys from his pocket and walks to the front door, holding it open for me to step out before him. Once we’re on the porch, I lock up then head for his truck. Surprising me, he opens my door and waits for me to be fully seated before he shuts it. By the time he slides behind the wheel, I’ve buckled myself in and am holding my purse like a lifeline, not sure what to do with my hands.
“You need to get a security system for your place,” he says as he circles around the group of tall trees in the middle of the front yard and heads down the drive toward the main road. “You’re a woman living alone, so you should be taking precautions.”
“I’ve already set up an appointment. The security company couldn’t come until I set up the internet, and I didn’t want to do that until I got my TVs and computer,” I inform him, annoyed that just like everyone else, he thinks I’m incapable of taking care of myself. I know it shouldn’t bother me, but it does, which means I can’t help the sigh I let out as I turn to look out the window.
“Ari?”
“Yeah.” I hold my bag a little tighter against my stomach that is dancing with butterflies from being this close to him, and I turn to look at him.
“I’d tell my sister the same thing.”
“Mmhmm,” I mumble, shifting in the seat, feeling uncomfortable being shoved in the same category as his sister, especially when I’ve woken up more than once in the middle of the night panting from dreams of us together that are in no way PG.
“Babe.”
“Yeah?” I hold my breath waiting for him to say more.
“Never mind.” He shakes his head before focusing on the road. We drive the rest of the way in silence, and when we get to the Chinese place, he runs in and comes back out a few minutes later with a bag full of food, handing it over to me.
My stomach growling and the music playing softly are the only sounds in his truck as he drives back to my house until we pull into my driveway and I see a Mercedes Benz parked out front. “Oh no,” I groan as the headlights to his truck land on my parents standing on the porch. And even knowing it’s stupid, I pull my hoodie up over my hair and duck down in my seat in an attempt to hide.
“They already saw you,” he informs me, sounding like he’s smiling as he shuts down the engine, causing the interior of the cab to turn black.
“I know.” I glare at him, even though I doubt he can see my narrow-eyed look through the dark. “I’m attempting to use my magical powers to teleport me to a different dimension.”
“Shit, did you forget your teleportation amulet?” He chuckles.
“Shut up.” I laugh, sitting up and unbuckling my seatbelt.
“That’s your mom and dad, right?” he asks, sounding suddenly somber, and I nod.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
“I’m guessing you weren’t expecting them.”
“No.” I let out a deep breath. “I told them I would have them over for dinner once I had my furniture delivered. I didn’t think they would show up today.” I watch him look out the windshield and know he recognizes both of them by his sour expression. The look on his face doesn’t surprise me. My parents are well known in town, and not because they’re the kind of people who leave a lasting positive impression on those they come across.