Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Good plan.” Landry nods.
“Yeah, so I’m off.” I rock back on my heels as excitement courses through my veins. This is new for me. I’ve never been this excited to see someone.
“What time do you meet her?” Baker asks.
“Not until one, but I’m not going to be late and miss her. I’m not taking any chances.” I’ll be there, and I’ll be ready. Missing her isn’t an option, not when she finally took a leap of faith and offered me an olive branch.
“Let us know how it goes,” Knox says.
With a nod and a wave, I head back out to my truck. At twenty minutes after twelve, I pull up outside the small café. I’m forty minutes early, but that’s fine. Good things come to those who wait. Isn’t that what they say? Either way, I’m going in there to get us a table, and I’m going to wait for my girl.
After ordering a bottle of water, I find a table and scroll through my phone. Then an idea hits me. I take a picture of the chair across from me and text it to her.
Me: I saved you a seat.
Me: I’m not sure how much time you get for lunch. Would you like me to order you something? You can tell me what you want, and I’ll have it ready when you get here.
The three little bubbles bounce, and then her reply comes through.
My Dream Girl: You’re thirty minutes early.
Me: I know. No way in hell was I risking getting caught in traffic or any other disturbance that could have delayed me. I’m not missing this time with you, Bellamy.
The bubbles bounce again, then go away. This happens three times before the bubbles disappear altogether. I don’t know if I made her mad, but I don’t think so. I think she doesn’t know how to take me. I’m aware that I’m coming on strong, but I know what I want, and I’m already fighting a battle I didn’t start because of my chosen career. Besides, I’m not into drama and games. I’m always going to be open and honest with her, no matter how over the top it may make me sound.
Not only that, but after everything I know about her relationship with her dad, and the reason she hates the game of football, I need to be strong-willed to a certain extent. I’d never force her, and if she truly said to never contact her again, I’d respect her wishes, but that’s not what she’s telling me. She’s scared, and I know that if I’m too over the top, she’ll get even more scared, but I also know I can’t just walk away without showing her that I’m willing to put in the work. It’s a delicate balance, and I pray that I’m handling this right, because I know that if it comes down to it, and I do have to walk away from her, it will gut me.
My leg bounces as I keep my eyes glued to the door. My bottle of water sits untouched on the table in front of me, and her seat remains empty. Finally, at ten minutes till one, our scheduled time to meet, I see her. She pulls open the door and scans the small café. Immediately, I push back from the table, on my feet, and head toward her.
When I reach her, I bend, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. “Fuck me, I missed you,” I say, keeping my voice quiet, just for her.
I pull back, lace her fingers through mine, and lead her to the counter. She doesn’t try to pull away, which makes my smile widen.
“Hi, what can I get for you?” The young woman behind the counter bats her long, fake lashes at me.
“Babe?” I ask Bellamy.
She turns to look at me, surprise evident. “You go ahead. I’m still deciding.”
“We need a few minutes,” I tell the girl. She nods and continues to watch us.
Finally, Bellamy speaks up. “I’ll take a turkey club and an order of Saratoga chips, please.”
“And you?”
“I’ll have the chicken bacon ranch and Saratoga chips, as well.”
“And to drink?”
I nod to Bellamy, and she rattles off her order of a sweet tea. “Make that two,” I tell the server as I pull out my wallet to pay. Bellamy reaches for her purse, but I place my hand over hers to stop her. “No way, Bell. That table over by the window is ours. That’s my bottle sitting there. Let me pay, and I’ll be right there.” Leaning down, I place a kiss on her temple before passing the server my credit card.
“Is she your girlfriend?” the girl asks, loud enough for the entire café to hear.
“One day. I’m working on it,” I tell her honestly. I say it loud enough that I know Bellamy heard my answer, as well as everyone else who’s hanging on to my every word. There’s a very good chance one of them is a Rampage fan, and the news will spread like wildfire. Not that I care. I’d love to tell the entire world that the beautiful Bellamy Warner is all mine.