Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“You’re with the retreat, right? Nibbles.” West glances over at me, and I nod.
“That I am. You?” I’m hoping so. He’s been nice, and it would be great to have a new friend.
“Yeah,” he chuckles, like I missed a joke. “You’re from the Midwest branch?”
“Yes.” I accidentally bump my shoulder into his side and pretend to ignore it. “How’d you know?”
“A few opes have slipped out of you.”
I press my hand to my mouth to smother my laugh. “Fair enough. What branch do you work at?”
“I’m from the East Coast.”
“Cool.” I nod along.
“You sure it’s cool?” he asks, and I cringe. I must have given myself away. I’m not the best at hiding what I’m thinking. My face tells a story all on its own.
“Truthfully, it sounds busy and rainy.”
“It has been known to rain there a time or two.” His teasing is light and playful.
“Shut up,” I laugh, unable to stop smiling.
I find myself not wanting this conversation to end. I’d like to keep asking him questions, to stretch the walk into forever. But almost as soon as I have the thought, I see my cabin up ahead.
“Thank you again,” I tell him when we make it to my door.
“See you at the bonfire?” His brows lift, like he’s anxiously waiting for my answer.
“I’ll be there,” I confirm, and he smiles. It’s unfair how much I already like his smile.
“Good.” He reaches out and grabs my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine. He gives them a gentle squeeze before releasing it. “Wait for me if you feel like climbing any more trees.”
“I guess I can do that.” I give him one last smile before I slip into my cabin.
I’m on cloud nine because he was so flirting with me. Right? I suck at dating, but even if he wasn’t flirting, I’ve made a friend.
Sheryl stands in front of the mirror applying lipstick with the focus of a surgeon. She’s in a dress so tight it looks painted on. How does she breathe in that? I take a few healthy breaths at the thought.
“Look what the cat dragged in.”
“Ha!” I bark a laugh, and she hits me with a sneer. Oh, that wasn’t a joke. Damn, I thought maybe her mood was better.
“Someone’s been rolling in the dirt.”
“Small incident with a tree.” I grab my bag, heading for the bathroom. “Don’t ask.”
“Wasn’t going to.”
Of course not.
I hear the cabin door close shortly after. Sheryl left without bothering to ask if I wanted her to wait or if I was even going to the bonfire. I bet she’s hoping no one told me about it.
I change quickly, pulling on jeans and a soft sweater with a pair of fuzzy boots. I switch my ears out to a black pair so they match. Once I’m finished, I check myself in the mirror and debate removing the ears. Are they stupid? West seemed smitten with them and my dress. The reminder settles my internal debate. The ears are staying.
The sky is already darkening when I leave the cabin. The bonfire is easy to see even from my cabin. It’s throwing sparks up toward the stars, and there are people in shadows around it. As I get closer, I see groups sitting on logs with blankets and drinks in their hands.
I’ve just accepted a cup of cider when I hear a familiar voice from behind me. I turn to see Liam.
“There you are.”
“Hello again,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.
He changed into a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. “I was hoping you’d make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I tell him before I take another sip and quickly scan the crowd for dark hair and kind eyes.
“Let me show you around. Introduce you to some people.”
He touches my elbow gently as he leads me forward. Is he going to introduce me to the staff, or does he know a lot of the employees? I guess he checked everyone in. I don’t know, but it seems odd. I want to be polite, so I go along. Besides, who wants to stand off to the side all alone?
I force a smile as he steers me toward the fire; meanwhile, I’m wondering where West is.
Across the flames, Sheryl has cornered someone in conversation. She’s leaning in close and touching his arm. I can’t see who, but I’m betting it’s the boss man Mr. Hayes. She didn’t waste any time. The girl is determined, I’ll give her that.
A second later she half-turns, and I get a glimpse of who she’s talking to. I’m surprised when I see it’s West, and somehow it makes my heart sink. I thought she was going after the owner, but clearly she’s got her sights set on him. Sheryl is the type of woman that gets what she wants, no matter who she has to step on to do it.