Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“While I have you on the phone, I’m going to text you the code to get into the garage. Don’t bother with the front door or the doorbell when you get back so it doesn’t wake the girls. Just come on in.”
“Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. See you later,” I say, ending the call. “Ladies, it’s dinner time.” Coral latches onto my leg and giggles, and I carry her that way, with Mia in my arms, to the kitchen.
Thankfully, I went overboard when I was shopping for things to keep here for Coral. I have a chair that straps to the kitchen chair or can be set on the counter, and a regular high chair. I get Mia set up in the high chair, Coral in the seat that straps to the chair, and move them both to my side. Pulling some of those little puff things that Coral still loves, I make sure Mia is old enough by having a quick read of the packet, then dump a few out on each of their trays as I get to work making their grilled cheese and heating up a can of SpaghettiOs. Not the most nutritious meal, but when you come to Grandpa Will’s house, you get spoiled. That’s the rule.
Four
Amanda
* * *
I feel a little better after talking to Will. I can’t believe my best friend’s dad is my babysitter for the night. I didn’t have that on my bingo card, but I know she’s safe with him. I just feel guilty for leaving her. Bellamy, Corie, Rowan, and Sloane all assure me that it gets easier, but I’m not convinced.
Sliding my phone back into my small cross-body bag, I glance in the bathroom mirror. We’d barely been seated at the table when I bolted to the restroom to call Will and check on Mia. Taking a deep breath, I slowly exhale and head back to the table.
“There she is.” Bellamy smiles and nods toward the man sitting across the table, next to the empty seat that’s mine. “Amanda, this is Roger. Roger, meet Amanda.” Bellamy waves her hands between the two of us.
At first glance, Roger is a good-looking guy. He stands to pull out my chair, and I take in more of him. He has manners, is about five foot eleven-ish, and seems to be fit underneath his white button-up. He’s got short blond hair that’s sculpted with some type of product, combed to the side. His face is cleanly shaven, and he offers me a wide smile.
“Thank you.” I return his smile as I take my seat and allow him to help me push the chair in.
“I’m Roger,” he says, offering me his hand once he’s taken his seat.
“Amanda. Nice to meet you.” I take his hand and notice how soft they are. That unfortunately reminds me of my ex-husband, but I’ll try not to hold it against him.
“You, as well,” he says and winks, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
I mean, come on. He’s not picking me up in a crowded bar. We’re already having dinner together. Sure, it’s a group thing, but still. The wink… is he a playboy? Is he trying to be a playboy? Maybe I can fake a headache and bounce, grab my daughter, and go home for a chill night on the couch.
Strike one.
“So, Bellamy tells me you’re a talent agent?” Roger says from beside me.
“Not an agent, more of a scheduler.” I laugh. “I book talent for The Country Fiddle.”
“Oh.” He nods, his face falling. “So what does that mean exactly?”
“I book the live shows. I work with agencies and independent songwriters and musicians to fill the daily schedule for live music.”
“Oh, so you’re not working with famous people or anything.” He scrunches up his nose, as if my job isn’t important to him since I’m not working with big names.
Strike two.
“Not usually, but a lot of the talent that has come through our doors has gone off to hit it big, so kind of.” I work with some incredibly talented musicians. They don’t have to be selling out stadiums to put on a good show, and I take pride in booking them at our venue. Roger has barely known me for five minutes, and he’s pissing all over my career.
“Got ya,” he says, and it takes extreme effort not to roll my eyes. Instead, I meet Bellamy’s gaze from across the table, and she clears her throat.
“So, Roger, how are things at Riggins?” she asks, trying to change the topic and steer the conversation.
“Good.” He nods. “They’re great to work for, as you know. They’re all in and out of the office, having babies and all that.”
“They are great to work for,” Bellamy agrees. “It was a hard decision not to go back after my maternity leave, but Reid and I talked a lot about it, and I wanted that time with Coral. We were in a financial spot where I could leave my job.”