Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
My mouth falls open, but I don’t know if I want to laugh or call him a cocky bastard. Even with him openly staring and the remarks he made, he doesn't actually give off an asshole vibe.
“Caroline.” Christian calls my name and holds up my order. I go to reach for it, but Aiden beats me to it.
“Eat with me?” he asks, staring down at me.
“You sure you have time? You seemed in a hurry a few moments ago,” I remind him of his comment from before and lift an eyebrow at him.
“I have all the time you’ll give me.” His response is smooth but unapologetic. I lick my suddenly dry lips and his eyes flash at the movement. He’s enjoying whatever this is that we’re doing. It’s then I feel the butterflies dancing around inside my stomach and it makes me smile.
“You have Elvis’s food. He’ll follow you anywhere right now,” I tell him, and he lets out a deep chuckle. “I’ll have to remember that,” he says as he looks down at Elvis.
“I’ll lead the way,” he says, and I follow him as we cross the busy street back towards the park. He finds an empty table for us to sit down at and Elvis barks impatiently.
“Better give him his bacon or you’ll have yourself a sworn enemy.”
“Wouldn't want that.” He reaches for the small plate that’s with my burger. It has five strips of bacon on it. “I’m going to need you on my side,” Aiden says to Elvis so low I almost don’t hear it. He pats his head before he sets the food down and leans back up.
I suddenly feel shy when his focus is back on me. My hunger is gone now and a million butterflies have filled the space. He pushes my food towards me and smiles. “Ketchup?” he asks, gesturing at my fries. I nod and watch as he opens the tiny packets of ketchup. He makes a pile for me and it’s weirdly kind of sweet.
“Eat, Caroline,” he tells me.
The way he says my name in his deep voice makes goose bumps break out across my skin. What is happening to me? He reaches for one of my fries and brings it to my mouth. It's then I realize I was sitting there staring away at him. I open my mouth and let him feed me the French fry.
He smiles and I find myself reaching for my cheeseburger and taking a big bite. It’s a quick way to ensure I don’t have to talk, but he reaches for his own at the same time. We both eat, but it’s hard to focus when he’s watching my every move. When Elvis barks, Aiden pull off a piece of his burger and tosses it to him.
“He’ll never leave you alone now,” I tell him before I take another bite of my food.
“Since you go where he goes, I’m not seeing a problem with that.” I duck my chin and my cheeks burn. Is he flirting with me? I have no idea how to do this, so I try to change the subject.
“So you work around here?” I ask.
“Right there.” He nods to the building the food truck is always parked in front of. No wonder he and Christian know each other. “How is it I’ve never seen you here before?”
“I haven't lived here long, but I do eat at the truck a lot about this time. It’s Elvis’s favorite.”
“Good to know.” He says it like he’s taking making notes.
I look down and realize we’ve eaten all the food and I’m sure he needs to get back to work. It’s also time for me to take Elvis home. I know we didn’t talk much, but I feel an odd connection with him and I don’t want to walk away so soon. What if I don’t see him again? It’s too bad I don’t have the balls to ask for his number or whatever it is people do now. Gia would know.
“I should let you get back to work. And I need to take Elvis home.”
Maybe I’ll run into him again.
We both stand up and Elvis pulls me closer to Aiden as we walk over to the trash cans. We both laugh as he does a circle and tangles himself up around Aiden before I’m able to get him free.
“I’ll walk you home then,” he says to Elvis as he leans down and pets him. It’s like they hatched this plan together.
“It’s okay, I can get him to come with me.” But I honestly don’t know if that’s true. Elvis has found a new best friend who keeps giving him food. I don’t blame Elvis, though. I kinda want to follow him, too. There’s something mysterious about Aiden, and the more I think about how he snatched Christian’s phone number so I couldn't have it, the more my opinion changes on it. Initially I thought it was rude, but now I find it…sexy.