Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
"Glad I could be of service."
"As a thank you, I can set you up on a nice fireside chat with someone special.”
“I’m fine. Thanks, though.”
"No, listen to me.” she snips. "You're my cousin's exact type and I’m trying to get her to date around before a certain…Well, that’s not important. You’re her type and she’s so beautiful that every guy who sees her does a double take.”
"I'm sure your cousin is lovely, but..." I spot her name tag: Georgia. “What else can you tell me about your cousin?”
“So, you would like to go out with her?” She winks. "Her name is Taryn, and she might have a thing for her co-worker-slash-boss, but don't let that deter you because he hasn’t made a move in forever. I even think they went to high school together so the time for him to shoot his shot is way past due. You're her type and she'll definitely go out with you."
"I see."
"I see it, too." She steps back, making a few more snips. "Just give me your room number and I'll make the reservation."
"I'm in the Holiday Homecoming suite."
“No, that can’t be.” She shakes her head. “You have to be in another one. Do you remember what number it is by chance?”
"It's definitely the Holiday Homecoming suite, 4404," I say. "I'm sharing a room… with Taryn."
Her eyes widen, and she steps back.
"It's nice to finally meet you in person, Georgia.” I smile, extending my hand. “I’m James Calloway, her co-worker-slash-boss who hasn’t made a move in forever.”
“Yeah, um…” She shakes my hand. “You and I have never met, this moment never happened, and happy holidays!”
She rushes away with the garland.
EIGHTEEN (B)
TARYN
Cameron
Hey, babe. Are you all rested up yet?
I saw that you’re checked in here at the estate.
Yeah, I’m here, but I’m still pretty tired…
Understandable. I’ll postpone some of our reservations for the weekend. When do you want to meet me to talk?
NINETEEN
TARYN
Eggnog and spiced cookies for brunch? I need to talk to you about James ASAP
Georgia
I’ve never seen that man a day in my life.
I know…I’ll introduce you to him later, but I think I love him, Georgia.
I twirl in front of the mirror, checking out my sleeveless black dress and matching stilettos.
I’ve been itching for James to return to the suite, but he’s still M.I.A.
Waiting until two-thirty, I grab my clutch and head downstairs to the dessert bar.
As I make a plate, a redheaded woman bumps me with her shoulder.
“Sorry,” she says. “I—Okay, I take that back. I’m not sorry.”
“Okay, then…” I reach for the strawberries.
“You look like you haven’t really aged that much,” she says. “I would give you another compliment, but I despise you.”
What? “Do I know you?”
“I’m sure your boyfriend does.”
“So the answer is no.”
I step around her to get to the truffles, but she follows, blocking me again.
“I’ve never appreciated being a scapegoat.”
“And I don’t appreciate conversations without context."
"He never wanted me like he wanted you and I need him to be honest with himself and get the fuck over it."
I make a mental note to ask Georgia if the abandoned asylum down the road has been renovated.
Maybe this woman escaped.
"I'm Lauren Goodman, Taryn," she says. "From high school, remember?"
“Not at all.” I shake my head. "I don't remember much of high school."
"Oh, that's right. You were in that awful train wreck…I bet you have tons of survivors’ guilt, huh?”
Okay, screw this. “I’m giving you two seconds to back the hell away from me," I say. "Otherwise I'll be gifting you a black eye."
"Good to see he's found someone as unrelentingly rude as he is." She stomps away, leaving me with a loss of appetite.
“You look beautiful.” Cameron suddenly grabs my waist from behind and spins me around. “Wow…”
What the hell?
“You’re looking like you’re surprised to see me.” He pulls me into a hug. “I’ve been tempted to come knock on your door.”
It’s good you didn’t. “I’ve just been really tired since the trip. Lots of heavy driving, you know.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” he says, letting me go. “Well, here we are together, year thirty and single.”
“Yeah. Year thirty…” I’m stunned that he’s found me. “Can I link up with you later? I’m here to grab brunch with Georgia.”
“Well, I just ran into Georgia and she said that I could talk to you first.”
“Yeah, I guess you and I should talk, too.” I look around. “Want to get a booth?”
“No, let’s do this someplace else.” He slips an arm around my waist and leads me away. “We have an important conversation looming.”
“Wait a second,” I say, not wanting to discuss anything about that pact.
Not now… “I need to check on something.”
“Is it that important?”
“Yes. I’ll be right back.” I turn away without another word.
TWENTY
TARYN
I rush upstairs with my heart in my throat, desperate to ask if James feels the same way I feel, if maybe—just maybe, I haven’t misread the signs during our road trip.