Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“You’re hardly a stranger.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “Grayson and I went to school together, but our circles don’t really follow one another. Besides, they’re his daughters. He has every right to say who can and cannot spend time with them.”
She nods. “Thank you for understanding.” As soon as the words are out of her mouth, the chime over the door sounds and in walks the man himself.
“Hey, Chris.” He gives her a tired smile and kisses her cheek. “Where are the girls?” He looks at me, albeit briefly, before his eyes scan the room. Giggles filter from the back of the room, and he smiles.
“They love it when Laken reads to them.”
Something flashes in his eyes, and although brief, I can see the sadness and the pain. “They talk about it a lot,” he tells her before turning to me. “Laken.”
I’m well aware that I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman. However, the teenager in me who had the biggest crush on one Grayson Davis is swooning over how he says my name. I’ve never heard my name fall from his lips, and let me tell you, it’s sexy as hell.
“Grayson.” I nod and turn my attention back to Christine. “It was good to see you,” I tell her.
“You know they won’t let me live it down if we miss a day. That was the first thing they asked when Grayson dropped them off this morning. They were sure to remind me that Nana Jackie brings them here every Thursday,” she explains. “I’m going to go say goodbye.”
Together, the three of us walk to the back of the store where the reading nook is located. The girls look up and spot their father and come running. I watch as he drops to his knees and catches one in each arm, hugging them close.
“Daddy, we missed you.”
“Are you here to read with Miss Waken? Wait, we don’t have to leave, do we?” This is from Harlow.
“No, Daddy. We have to read. It’s Thursday. That’s our story day,” Harlow explains. “Nana Chrissy bringded us here. Just like Nana Jackie.”
“It’s Thursday,” Hayden echoes.
“We’re not leaving. Nana had some things to do, and I just happened to be getting off work.”
“Yay!” they cheer and step out of his hold.
They each grab one of my hands and pull me toward the reading nook. It’s more of a cozy area than a nook, but nook sounds so much better. It’s a small corner in the back of the store. There is a round, bright green, super soft, plush rug for us to sit on.
“Girls, I’m leaving,” Christine calls after them.
“Bye, Nana!” They wave at her.
“All right, are we ready?” I ask them.
“Yes! Mine first,” Hayden says, thrusting her book about the scared little bunny toward me.
“Once upon a time—” I start but stop when Harlow yells for her dad.
“Daddy, you have to sit on the circle during story time,” she tells him with all the attitude of an adorable little four-year-old. She even gives a little huff at the end of her demand as if she’s irritated he didn’t already know.
“Yeah, Daddy, come sit.” Hayden pats the soft green carpet next to her.
“You’re more than welcome to join us,” I tell Grayson. “Or, if you’d prefer, there’s an adult lounge.” I point to the two small leather loveseats that are in the opposite corner of the store.
“Daddy.” Harlow stands and takes him by the hand, pulling him to the carpet. “Sit with us.”
He smiles down at her and does as he’s told. She climbs into his lap, and he snuggles her close. When Hayden moves beside me, I expect her to go to him as well. However, I’m surprised when she lifts my arm and settles on my lap.
“You can read now, Miss Waken,” she says, tilting her head back to look at me.
I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t dare look. Instead, I smile down at his daughter and begin to read. It takes a lot of effort, but I pretend like it’s just the girls and me as I read to them, changing my voice to emulate the characters. They giggle here and there, but for the most part, they’re quiet little angels while I read.
“My turn!” Harlow climbs off her dad’s lap and moves toward me with her book in hand.
Without saying a word to one another, Hayden stands from her place on my lap and takes her sister’s place on their dad’s, while Harlow settles on mine and hands me the book.
“You ready to read about sheep?” I ask.
“I’m ready.” Harlow tilts her head back against my chest, and I can’t help it. I give her a little squeeze before I begin to read. When we’re finished, the girls stand with their books, and I expect happy smiles and a flurry of activity, but what I get is sad faces.