Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
“Why aren’t you acting like a neanderthal?”
I sigh. “Dunno. Maybe because I’m tired. I was havin’ the best nap I’ve ever had when I heard you were here causin’ a scene.”
She gasps indignantly. “I wasn’t causing a scene! I was having a dance party! It’s just that nobody wanted to dance with me. Because they’re scared of you. Boys, at least. All the girls wanted to dance, though.” Her shoulders slump. “Who was the rat? Who snitched on me?”
I’m staring at her navel, about to quip about the skin she’s showing but decide against it. That’d certainly set her off.
She lets out a dramatic sigh. “Probably Joel. Or Linc. I wasn’t trying to get you and Linc in a fight, Jase. It’s just… I’ve had no dances except that one with you and we’re not gonna talk about that. Wait. Nope. This is not a poor me party.” She squares her shoulders. “Never been dated or kissed. What a sad song that’d be…”
“Never been dated, never been kissed?” I repeat.
I resist the urge to pump my fist and holler happily. Because this means I’ll be the first to date her, the first to kiss her. I’ve already got that first dance, though I want a do-over because I only vaguely remember it and it was very platonic. Since I can’t touch her tonight, that dance will have to happen in a few days.
“Shut up. I never said I was talking about me.”
“Sure you weren’t,” I quip. “Wanna go home and I’ll make us some food?” I ask.
“Not hungry,” she says and presses her palm against my chest again. “Zap.”
I’m frozen, absorbing the feel of her hot hand on my chest. I stare at it. She’s staring at it.
She breaks the spell with a giggle, leaning in to tell me, “I had bathtub cookies.”
I laugh. “That’s not dinner, baby.”
Her glassy-eyed look fades and sharp eyes are now on my face. “I do what I want,” she insists and spins away moving back to the table. “I’m the boss of me. Not some big, sexy dimpled alpha with his big …” She gestures toward me, eyes on my crotch, then mutters, “Attitude.”
She’s not talking about my attitude.
Fuck, she’s being cute. And I’m disappointed her warm hand is no longer on me.
“And… since the dance party is over, I guess I wanna go. Can we have another dance party some other time, girls?”
“Sure we can,” Vivica says. “Anytime you want.”
“Because we do what we want!” Bailey exclaims and rushes her way, wrapping her arms around her. Vivica whispers something in her ear.
Bailey hugs her tighter, and her breath hitches.
I straighten up and shoot Vivica a questioning look.
Vivica smiles while Veronica hugs Bailey. Vivica is smiling at me. Veronica lets go of Bailey and shoots me a wink and a thumbs up.
I rear back. What’s that about?
Erica gives Bailey a long hug.
Bailey strokes Erica’s long, red curls. “You guys are the bestest almost-cousins ever.” Bailey wipes her eyes with her fingers. “No cry faces!”
Erica replies, “We’re not crying, girlfriend.”
Bailey’s wiping more tears from her eyes. “Nope. No cry face here!”
Erica smiles. “We’ll see you the day after tomorrow, yeah? Your parents’ sunroom at five thirty.”
Bailey suddenly looks alarmed. “What if.. what if…”
“Shh. We’ll figure it out. Okay?”
Bailey nods, chin trembling, looking close to coming undone.
I stare at the scene, powerless to do anything about it but watch, which is a feeling I fucking hate.
Bailey lifts her bag from the table and loops it over her head so she’s wearing it diagonally while she tries to get into her heeled shoes, but she staggers a little trying to find balance.
I growl. Why the fuck did she wear shoes with heels this high?
Her eyes hit me as I jolt, fighting the urge to catch her if she falls, frustrated I can’t just scoop her up and carry her.
Our eyes connect and I smell arousal. My growl did that. I should use that to my advantage.
As if reading my mind, she quickly turns away, calling, “Roxy!” She abandons her shoes and rushes to the bar to hug Roxy.
I squat and pick her shoes up, because there’s no way she’s wearing these right now. She’ll bust an ankle or fall flat on her ass.
Erica says, “Gold star.”
“Huh?” I look at her.
“You didn’t barge in here, shoot first, and ask questions later. It’ll count, believe me.”
“Count?”
“When she weighs it all out.”
I scoff. “If I didn’t know better, I might think you’re on my side.”
“I am,” she says.
“You’re on Bailey’s side,” I correct.
She shakes her head. “I’m on both your sides. All five of us are on your side. Including Dani. They’re just two different sides of the same coin at the moment. Same end goal.”
I’m in no mood for riddles, but based on the expectant look on her face, I ask, “And what goal is that?”