Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“Does it bother you if I have a drink?”
“Not at all. It wasn’t the liquor’s fault my dad was an alcoholic. I don’t have flashbacks from the scent of it. I just don’t drink a lot.”
“Got it.”
The salad came, and we shared it, along with more bread. We chatted about the show and the incredible true story behind it.
“They helped so many people,” Jesse mused. “And asked for nothing. They were shocked when people wanted to give back to them.”
“You do the same thing.”
He scoffed. “On a very minute scale.”
“I think you’re a hero. Every day.”
“Yeah?” he grinned.
“My favorite hero.”
That earned me a kiss.
That pasta came, the steam rising off the delicate Alfredo sauce. The plump shrimp and scallops glistened with butter and garlic. The angel hair was light and flavorful. Jesse consumed most of the plate. It was late and I wasn’t as hungry since I’d eaten so much of the delicious bread, but I enjoyed what I ate. I sat back, looking around the restaurant, admiring the modern, yet warm décor. It was still busy for later in the evening, but I supposed it was the theater district and Toronto was a bustling city all the time. Over Jesse’s shoulder, I met the eyes of a woman, startled when she glared at me then turned her head. The man beside her looked over, his gaze narrowed. He said something to her, and she pushed him away.
It struck me as odd, but I turned away, picked up my water, and drained it as Jesse finished the pasta.
“That was incredible.”
“It was.”
“I ate over half the plate. Are you sure you got enough?”
“I did,” I assured him. “It was wonderful.”
The waiter came over and cleared the plates, offering us a dessert menu. We ordered a latte and decided to share a tiramisu. Jesse was relaxed, although he didn’t talk a lot. He often didn’t, and I was okay with his silences. They were easy, and neither of us felt the need to fill in the quiet all the time. I liked that about him.
The dessert was decadent and the latte a perfect accompaniment. I had just finished my cup when I noticed the woman staring at me again, fury written on her face. It gave me the creeps. I didn’t know her. Why did she look so angry? Leaning forward, I tried to nonchalantly look at all the occupants of the table, but none of them seemed familiar to me. It looked like a set of parents or perhaps grandparents out with a younger couple. I had to be imagining it.
Then the older woman looked up, her gaze almost freezing me in my chair. I shifted uncomfortably and turned to Jesse. “Can we go?”
He frowned, sliding his arm around me. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s a table over there—you’d have to turn to look at them, but they keep staring at me and glaring. Repeatedly. I thought I imagined it at first, but now, it’s bothering me.”
“Do you know them?”
“Not at all.”
“Rude.” He signaled for the check, paid it quickly, and slid from the booth, holding out his hand. “Let’s go.”
I let him tug me out and stumbled a bit. He righted me and pressed a kiss to my head, his gaze focused on the table I had mentioned. I felt him tense up. He went rigid and became angry instantly. He cursed under his breath. “Fuck.”
I looked up at him. “What is it?”
He took my hand, pulling me behind him.
“That’s my parents and my brother.” He pushed open the door, his voice tight. “And my ex.”
JESSE
I rarely came into Toronto. What were the chances of running into not only my estranged parents but my sorry excuse for a brother and my ex?
I made the instant decision to never return.
At least all they got was a glimpse of me. I was furious they had glared at Casey. She’d done nothing to deserve their rudeness.
We walked out, and I handed the valet my ticket. Hopefully, he’d get the truck fast, and we’d be out of here before they came outside.
But my hopes were dashed when I heard his voice.
“Not going to say hello, brother?” Ryan’s snide comment came from behind me.
Instinctually, I tucked Casey close and turned. I kept my voice low and calm. “I have nothing to say to you. So, no.”
He laughed, the sound sarcastic and loud. “Typical. Running away with your little girlfriend so you don’t have to introduce us?”
“Why would I introduce her to people who aren’t part of my life?” I responded, doing a quick take on his appearance. He’d lost any muscle he’d built up since the last time I saw him. He resembled my father greatly, with his stooped shoulders and tall, lanky build. His hair was already thinning as well. His face was set in a permanent scowl. I didn’t see a single thing that made us look like brothers.