Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
sweet. It’d been years since I’d given a guy my number. With my history, a
romantic relationship was not something I ever thought I’d entertain again,
but there was something about Arkin. He seemed more like the leading man
in a romance movie instead of a construction worker. That was why I’d
agreed to spend more time with him than just a ten-minute cup of coffee. I really didn’t know much about dating, but my roommate, Molly, had
always told me that a coffee date was the best way to go. A coffee date
could be cut short if the guy was a total creep. Or it could be extended all
the way into dinner if he had potential.
After a lot of thinking, I’d decided that Arkin had potential. I wasn’t
sure about potential for what, but he definitely had managed to charm me
enough that I didn’t want to run off after ten minutes. I knew he was safe,
and that was my biggest concern. He’d saved me last night, which made
him most definitely not a predator.
“We’ve been walking in a circle for the last hour,” he said as we passed
the same tree for the tenth time. We’d been so lost in conversation that time
had slipped away.
“Oh, I guess we have,” I whispered as I looked at our feet. His shoes
were ridiculous and way too fancy for anything in this town, but I
appreciated the effort he went to, with the expensive Italian loafers. He
wasn’t the kind of man who wore lavish, European leather shoes. My eyes slowly rode up his strong legs, examining his torn and stained
jeans. I smiled because that was more like it. Arkin seemed like the kind of
guy who wore ripped and tattered jeans and worn white T-shirts. He didn’t
seem stuck-up or uppity but earthy and solid. I guess that was one of the
reasons I was so drawn to him.
“Did you borrow the shoes?” I uttered and then instantly wished I could
take it back. Here he was, saving me and being kind, and I was mocking
him.
He took it well, though, with a smile.
“Nah, these puppies are all mine. I had to wear them to a wedding.” I liked his smile. It made his eyes crinkle and the blue in them dance
with a little bit of mischief.
“Only the best for my first date in a decade,” he mocked himself, and I
couldn’t help but giggle.
Silence hung between us a few beats. I could sense him searching for
his next words.
“Well, Daphne, I’m a growing boy and about starved. Could I interest
you in a meal?”
Just as I was about to say no, my treacherous stomach betrayed me with
the sounds of starvation. I’d never gotten to eat lunch today since the shop
was so busy.
Arkin bent, peering into my face.
“I think that was a yes.”
He smiled again, and his ease and comfort made me little by little let
down my steely resolve. I nodded in agreement.
“Perfect. I know just the place. I would offer to drive us, but I have a
feeling you aren’t the type to get into the car of a guy you just met.” “You would be right. What did you have in mind?” I asked, digging out
my car keys.
“Do you know where Reggio’s is?”
I looked at him, a little startled by his suggestion. Reggio’s was a holein-the-wall Italian restaurant in town. The place was a complete dive, but it
had the best Italian food in the entire world. I’d been going there since I was a little kid. Whenever mom had a little extra money, she’d take me out
and treat me to a giant bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.
“Know it? I practically grew up there.” I smiled. I was about to drool at
just the thought of that delicious sauce.
“Great. They have the best sauce in town,” he stated matter-of-factly,
his words full of conviction.
“Yeah, they do.” My heart spun excitedly in my chest. “Meet you
there,” I said as I headed for my car.
“Hold up!” He followed me. “A gentleman would walk you to your car,
and I’m tryin’ my best to be a gentleman here,” he joked, stopping beside
me.
“Gentleman, huh?” I poked at him a little.
“Saving your life last night didn’t clue you in?”
I grinned, shaking my head. “Right, that naturally heroic thing you do
so well.”
“Heroic—I like the sound of that.”
When we got to my car, he opened the door and let me get in. Once I
was settled, he leaned in close. And he smelled amazing. As if my body
couldn’t help itself, I leaned discreetly in and inhaled, hoping he didn’t
notice. The sly grin plastered on his face told me that he probably had. “It’s just soap, Daphne. I’ll have to make a mental note to buy more.”
He winked, and a glance in the mirror showed me that my face had blushed
to the shade of a ripened red tomato.“See you at Reggio’s—let’s say
twenty-five minutes?” he asked.
I just nodded, too mortified to say anything.
“This place is as good as it was when I was a kid. Reggio is a maestro.” Arkin patted his flat stomach.