Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
He shrugs before opening the passenger door for me. “A guy's gotta have his hobbies.”
“That they do.” It makes me wonder what Ellis's hobbies are—you know, other than TV. It’s sort of mind boggling when I think about how long I’ve known him but how little I actually know him.
Even more surprising, I actually want to know all of these little things about him now. Somehow, in the span of a few weeks, he’s carved out a place for himself in my heart.
“What's the address?” Clint asks, turning the key in the ignition. The growl of the engine snaps me back to the present, and I rattle off his address.
He plugs it into his GPS and backs out.
Neither of us speak as he pulls out of the parking lot onto the service road, but the quiet in the car isn't the comfy kind like with Ellis. It's awkward and heavy... tense. But it might just be me. God knows, I'm not good company after the day I've had.
Clint breaks first. “So, how long have you worked here?” he asks, as he merges onto the highway.
“Going on five years. I started right out of school.”
“Is this where you see yourself for the foreseeable future?”
I tilt my head to the side as I try to digest his question. I love my job. It's rewarding and the hours are great, but I wouldn’t call it my dream job. But I also don’t know what my dream job would be. “Yeah,” I finally say, because I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do in place of it. “I think so. What about you?”
“I'm not entirely sure,” he confesses, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel to a tune only he can hear. “Working at the bar used to be fulfilling. But here lately, I find myself wanting something... more.”
“What made you apply here?”
He flicks his eyes my way. “My rent went up, and I needed to supplement my income. It was a toss-up between here and the hospital. I went with the one that replied first.”
“Gotcha.” I lay my head against the window, hissing as the cool glass kisses my face. “Well, on the bright side, good hours and great benefits.”
He nudges me with his elbow. “Coworkers are alright, too.”
I scoff, forcing a smile. “Excuse you. We are more than alright, sir.”
“Maybe.” His shoulders lift in an almost imperceptible shrug. “I'm off tomorrow, but if you need a ride...”
“Oh, that's sweet,” I say as the GPS announces his destination is just ahead on the left. “But I've got it handled. Thank you though, truly.”
I swear a muscle ticks in the side of his cheek as he clenches his jaw, but before I can ask what's wrong, he's smiling over at me. “Shoot me a text if anything changes.”
I promise I will before unbuckling my seatbelt. “Thanks Clint. I really appreciate you being there for me today.”
“That's what friends are for, right?”
“Right.” I nod once and climb out of the car. “See you Wednesday.”
He waves and then puts the car into reverse. “See you.”
Ellis opens the door just in time to see Clint’s car swing out into the road. “Who was that?” he asks, his voice tight. I’d almost say he sounds jealous, but surely that’s not what’s happening here...
“Clint. He’s a new hire. Part of the maintenance crew.” I shift my bag from one shoulder to the other, beyond ready to be out of these scrubs and off my feet. “You actually know him.”
“Do I?” Ellis’s brows furrow, no doubt trying to recall the how and where of it all.
“Yeah.” I rock back on my heels. “He's a bartender at The Creek.”
Ellis mutters something under his breath.
“What was that?” I ask, both out of curiosity and to needle him a bit. What can I say—I can’t resist the urge. Maybe a small part of me finds comfort in getting under his skin.
“Just don't like him.” He crosses his arms over his chest, his lip curled in a snarl.
“I'm going to be really honest with you, Sunshine. It has been a dumpster fire of a day, and I really don’t have the energy for whatever metaphorical dick measuring contest this is.”
“No contest.” He puffs out his chest. “Mine's bigger.”
“Ellis.” My voice cracks. “Please.”
“Shit.” He opens his arms wide. “C'mere, Princess.”
I step into him, and he wraps his strong arms around me, effectively melting away my annoyance. “Let's get you fed and then into a bubble bath.”
I sigh and lean further into him. “A bubble bath sounds heavenly.”
“You can use my tub. It has jets.”
“Thanks Ellis.” I step out of his arms and head inside. “I appreciate you.”
A thought occurs as I cross the threshold. “Oh my god! How was your first day?”
“Really fucking good.” He grins, and it lights up his entire face. “I didn’t actually do much, just helped with custody drop offs and ran background checks, but it was nice being able to actually help people, you know? I got you some goodies, too.”