Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Vaughn and I spent most of the day together. At three we went back to our hotel to relax a little before the evening. We had plans for dinner tonight, but I wasn’t sure what was going on after that. I sat on the bed in my room, feet up, checking my email, when a text came through. I didn’t recognize the phone number, so I almost ignored it, but then instead, I exited my inbox and clicked.
Hey…
That wasn’t much to go on, but I knew it was him.
It’s Parker, he added before I could ask.
I smiled. I hadn’t expected him to message. He had the uncanny ability to turn me down when most people didn’t.
Hey, gorgeous, I replied. “Shit.” I’d slipped into flirt mode without thinking. Don’t flirt with Parker, don’t flirt with Parker, don’t flirt with Parker.
Have a date or ten tonight?
I rolled my eyes. Instead of texting back, I called him.
“What the fuck are you doing, Elliott? No one talks on the phone anymore. It’s the absolute worst,” he said instead of hello, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Sorry, not sorry?”
“You’re definitely not sorry. I can’t believe you call people. I knew there was something wrong with you.”
“I’ve been told my voice sounds sexy. I thought about doing the phone-sex thing when I was nineteen but never gave it a try.”
“Eh, I couldn’t say it’s any sexier than your voice in person.”
I grinned again. “Parker…did you just call my voice sexy?”
There was a long pause. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Yes it is.”
“No it’s not, and oh my God, why do you bring out the ten-year-old in me? I messaged to ask what you’re doing tonight. That’s it. I’m sure you have a date or hookup to get to, but on the off chance you don’t, I was bored and thought I’d toss you a bone, but now I’m really regretting my decision.” I opened my mouth to make a joke about his bone comment when he added, “And my choice of words—regretting that too. You don’t get my bone. That’s not what I meant.”
“But you made it so easy to tease you.”
“Do you have plans or not?”
“Are you this sunshiny with everyone, or am I just lucky?” It shouldn’t make me feel fortunate, but for some reason it did.
“Have a good evening—”
“Wait,” I rushed out before he ended the call. “I’m free.” Or at least I would be when I called Vaughn and canceled. He would understand.
“As I said, I’m bored. All my friends left. This isn’t a date. I just don’t feel like sitting in my room all night.”
“Not a date. Got it. But it kinda feels like you just asked me out on one.” Why couldn’t I stop flirting with him? It was an addiction.
“Elliott…”
“Parker…” At the loud silence on his end, I added quickly, “I’m just giving you shit. I’ll be good, I promise. Where are you taking me on our date—I mean, our hangout since you’re bored? You know, a lesser man would be offended by that.”
“I think your confidence can take the hit.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I don’t want anything fancy. I just want to drink and eat so I can go back to my room and pass out.”
We decided to hit up a bar that served food and wasn’t far from where either of us was staying. It was on the Strip, so we could both walk there. “Perfect…and wait. How did you get my number?”
“You gave it to me a couple of months ago. Oh my God! You don’t even remember.”
Shit. I didn’t. That was probably a bad sign. “I was kidding. I remember. See you soon!” I ended the call before he could change his mind, then hit Vaughn’s name in my address book. “I have to cancel for tonight.”
“Okay.” He yawned. “I’m tired anyway. Meet someone?”
“I’m going out to dinner with Parker.”
“Jesus Christ, did you not listen to his podcast?”
“It’s not a date! I don’t want to fuck him.” When he answered with a pfft, I amended, “Of course I want to fuck him, but I know that’s not happening. He’s bored.”
“Wow, that’s a ringing endorsement for wanting to spend time with you.”
“Yeah, it’s strange. It’s throwing me for a loop. Most people can’t resist me.” I wasn’t trying to sound cocky, but it was true.
Vaughn laughed and told me to have a good night.
I showered, then tugged on a pair of slacks, a white V-neck T-shirt, and a black button-up over it, left open. It was a great look for me.
I ran a hand through my hair a few times, which was as good as it got, brushed my teeth, tugged on my jacket, and headed out to meet Parker.
It was a short walk to the bar. When I arrived, Parker was already outside. He looked adorable in his coat and a beanie.