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)
“You’re talented, baby. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get into them because Dean Koontz is normally my jam when I have time to read, but I’ve found myself wanting to find out what’s going to happen next and enjoying the series.”
I lean up on my tiptoes to press my mouth to his, and his arms circle my waist as he deepens the kiss. Panting when he pulls back, I let my forehead drop to his chin and link my fingers together behind his neck. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asks quietly, dipping his chin so his lips rest against the top of my head.
“For just being you,” I tell him, wishing I could make him understand how easy happy is when I’m with him.
“Aria.” My name is gruff as his hold on me tightens.
I close my eyes and pull myself together, then tip my head back to meet his gaze. “I made us Guinness stew for dinner, but after getting the news about the movie, I think I want to call Gia to see if she and Colton are up to celebrating with us.”
He lets me go and takes my hand to lead me toward the house. “Colton’s at work tonight, but maybe Gia can meet us at the Rusty Rose for a drink. But only after I eat some of your stew,” he says, making me laugh. Before him, I never really thought that I could cook, but he’s devoured every meal I’ve made and eaten all the leftovers every single time.
“That works for me,” I agree as we walk into the house. While he goes to shower, something he does every time he gets to my place after working all day, I call Gia and share my news. While we’re talking, she sends Colton’s mom a text, and almost immediately she agrees to come over to watch Gino so we can go to the bar to celebrate.
________________
“Congratulations, Aria.” Colton lifts his beer, and Tide does the same with his while Gia and I hold up our martini glasses.
“Thank you, guys.” I look around the table. If you asked me when I decided to move to Tennessee, how I thought things would turn out, I never would have imaged I’d find a man who makes me feel the way Tide does, or friends like Gia and Colton. With each of them, I’ve found the ease of genuine relationships, something I never had before in my life, but am so thankful for.
“You have to promise when they start filming that I get to come on set, especially if they get someone like Chris Hemsworth to play a part in the movie,” Gia says, and I smile at her.
“He’s a little old for any of the guys in my books, so I doubt he will be a part of the cast.”
“And you’re married with a kid, so you don’t need to be around him anyways,” Colton says, and Gia looks at me and rolls her eyes while grinning.
“Speaking of going places.” I take a sip of my drink and settle my hand on Tide’s thigh. “My parents’ fall party is coming up, and if you can all come, I would love for you to go with me, because then it might actually be bearable.”
“You don’t want to go?” Gia asks, and I shake my head.
“No, my parents and I have a very strange relationship, and all their stuck-up friends will be there along with my ex,” I admit, and Tide’s muscles bunch under my palm.
“Why the fuck is your ex going to be there?” he asks, surprising me with his tone, which sounds more like a growl than anything else.
“He and my mom are close.” I shrug, taking a sip of my drink.
“Jesus,” he mutters, running a hand through his hair that he left down, which means he looks a little more wild than he normally does.
“You don’t have to tell me that my family is messed up. I already know they are.”
“Why’d you agree to go?” Colton asks.
Shrugging, I answer the only way I can. “I don’t know. Guilt maybe, but I’m not really sure.”
“Well, I’ll be there,” Gia says, and I meet her gaze. “And if it sucks, we can leave and do something else.”
“Let me know what day and I’ll get the night off.” Colton sighs, making it clear that the only reason he’s agreeing to go is because he doesn’t want Gia there alone.
“You know I’m not going to let you go without me,” Tide says, sounding put out, and I see Gia press her lips together like she’s trying to keep herself from laughing.
“I’ll be back. I’m gonna check to make sure everyone is okay.” Colton kisses his wife’s cheek before he heads for the bar.
I pick up my drink and take a sip, choking on it when I see none other than my father walking in a crooked line across the room toward the bar. “Are you okay?” Tide rubs my back as I grab a napkin to wipe my mouth.