Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80420 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80420 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“Oh.” I shake my head then blurt, “How did you find out where I live?”
“I asked that girl at the front desk.” He shrugs.
“She just gave you my address when you asked her for it?” I mean, I believe him because Mandy doesn’t seem to be that bright, but I’m pretty sure that’s against the law, and if it’s not, it should be.
“If it makes you feel better, after she gave it to me, I told her she could get fired for giving out employee information to clients,” he grins.
I hear my sister laugh, and look around his broad shoulder, narrowing my eyes on her and watching her shrug. I roll my eyes at her when she points to him while his back is turned and fans her face in a silent he’s hot. I know he’s hot. The entire female population of the world and probably the galaxies surrounding ours know he’s hot.
“So, Talon, do you like spaghetti?” she asks him, and my stomach drops, because I know what’s coming next.
“I do,” he answers, turning toward her.
“Well, I always make enough to feed an army, so please feel free to join us for dinner,” she invites.
“I’m sorry. I can’t tonight.”
Closing my eyes, I say a silent thank Goodness.
“Mimi.” Ruby tugs on my hand to get my attention. I open my eyes and tip my head down toward her. “Your boob is out.” She pokes said boob, and I look down, seeing one breast spilling out of the gap in my robe.
I gasp, grasping my robe across my chest. “Umm… I’m go-going to g-get dressed. I’ll be back,” I stutter out right before I spin on my heel and rush upstairs with my girls following behind me.
When I reach the bathroom, I look at my reflection in the mirror. I look like I feel—exhausted and still slightly hung over. Even with the headache and nausea gone, I feel out of it, like I slept too long but still need to sleep longer. I quickly turn on the tap and splash some cold water on my face, brush my teeth, then rip a brush through my hair before giving up and tying it up in a messy bun. I don’t even bother trying to find something decent to wear. I pull on a pair of bicycle shorts and a baggie long-sleeved tie dye shirt with the logo for Def Leppard printed across the chest then look at Mercury when she whines.
“Sorry I’ve been neglecting you, girls.” I get down and give her some love then do the same to Retro when she pushes her sister out of the way. Not feeling great but knowing I can’t leave my sister and Talon alone too long, I whisper, “Come on.”
I head back downstairs, and when I reach the bottom step, I find Ruby sitting on her shins next to Talon, showing him something on her iPad. “Sorry,” I say to him as he turns toward me and he quickly says something to Ruby before he stands. “Do you want to go outside?” I ask, fiddling with the bottom of my shirt.
“Sure,” he replies, and turn to look at Cece.
“Be right back.”
“Actually, you two can stay in here. I’m going to load Ruby up and run to the school to pick up Lola and Kate. They decided to join the school play, so today is their first practice,” she responds.
“Oh… okay, do you need me to do anything with dinner?”
“Nope, it’s pretty much done. I’ll finish when I get home.” She places the lid on the pot on the stove then turns off the burner. Once that’s done, she looks at Ruby. “Come on, honey, let’s go get your sisters.”
“I’ll stay with Mimi,” she tells her mom, and Cece gives her a look that has her sighing as she hops off her stool.
“Be back in about twenty minutes,” Cece informs me, wiggling her brows at me behind Talon’s back, and then she plasters a smile on her face as she comes out of the kitchen. “It was nice to finally meet you, Talon.” Since last night was the first time I opened up to her about him, I roll my eyes at her comment.
“You too,” he says, and then his eyes drop to Ruby. “Thanks for hanging with me, kid.” He holds out his fist, and she bumps hers against it, and then he ruffles her hair, making her laugh.
“You’re welcome. Bye, Talon.”
“Bye,” he says, and a minute later, I listen to the front door open and close. A nervous flutter fills my stomach, and I fidget, not sure what to do with myself.
“Are you feeling better?” he asks quietly, taking a seat on one of the counter stools, which is a good thing, because his size and presence is overwhelming.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m just tired.”