Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Maybe I didn’t wake up in the hospital. I might be in heaven.
Chapter Eight
PHILLIP
“I don’t know which one to try first.” Audrey looks pensive as she sits across from me with five different beverages between us.
“Then let’s be systematic about it,” I say, only half teasing as I get up and ask the barista for a pen. Once I get back to our table, I use the napkin to make a list and then nod for her to begin. “You test, and I’ll take notes.”
“Okay.” She’s so serious as she picks up the first cup and takes a sip.
“Hmm.” She thinks about it for a second and then takes another sip.
“Give me some details so we can have a fair assessment.” I pretend to be stern like a reporter on the scene of a crime, and it makes her laugh.
“Okay, so this one is spicy?” She says it like a question and when I wait for her to elaborate, she shrugs. “It’s good, but I’m not sure I like more than a few sips.”
“Perfect,” I tell her as I write that down on the napkin. “Ready for number two?”
“Yes.” She squares her shoulders, and I love that she’s really putting thought into this.
When she told me she’d never been to a coffee house before, I had to wonder what kind of life she lived before she ran out in front of me. The more I learn about my sleeping beauty, the more questions I have.
“Oh, this one is good.” Her eyes widen as she drinks the frozen treat and then takes another sip. “It’s sugary.”
“Is that all you want me to put?” I tease, and she nods as she takes another big sip.
“I think I like sugar.”
God, I want to kiss her. I want to haul her over this table and put my mouth all over every inch of her. “With all of the syrup you had on your pancakes, I would agree.” When her cheeks color, I hurry to make sure I’m not upsetting her. “Next time you’ll have to put whip cream on them too.”
She seems to relax at my words and then bites her bottom lip. “That would be amazing.”
“Shall we go to number three, or are you good at stopping?”
“No, I want to try them all.” She takes one more quick sip of number two before picking up the next one. “Oh, this one is nice. It’s chocolatey but not exactly hot chocolate.”
“Better than two?” I ask, and she immediately shakes her head.
“Definitely not, but I can see how this would be nice when it’s snowing.” She looks out the window like it might happen at any moment.
“I think it’s supposed to in the coming weeks. Maybe we could go to the cabin for a few days.”
“The cabin?” She perks up, and I have the urge to take her there right this second.
“You haven’t been there yet.”
It’s the truth, but it’s wrapped in the lie we are both continuing to keep up. At some point, she’s going to have to come clean and so am I. Clearly, I’m not ready for that to happen, because I look at the drinks in front of her and go back to our little game.
“Number four?”
She takes a sip and then crunches on the piece of ice she got with it. After a moment, she takes another sip and then shrugs. “It’s okay. It’s fruity and cold, but I would much rather have two or three.”
“Excellent. You’re doing great work for science,” I tease, and she rolls her eyes before going for the fifth one.
Just before she takes a drink, she looks up at me. “Thank you, Phillip. I’m not sure if I’ve said that today or not, but this has been wonderful. Even if it stopped now, it would be the most perfect day of my life.”
Reaching out, I take her free hand in mine and bring it to my mouth. I kiss the inside of her palm before placing it against my cheek. “You haven’t remembered your best day with me.” Her shoulders slump a tiny fraction before I continue. “Because it hasn’t happened yet.”
That seems to make her perk up as she gives me a rueful smile. “Oh really?” She says it like a challenge, and damn, do I love a challenge.
“Really.” I nip the inside of her palm with my teeth, and she squeals. “Now take a drink of that one so we can go to the bookstore.”
She hurries to take a sip, and as soon as she gets a taste her eyes light up like Christmas morning. “This is it.”
“This is it?” I repeat, and she’s nodding quickly while she takes another drink. “What makes it so good?”
She grins as she holds the warm cup with both hands. “It tastes like maple syrup.”
I laugh out loud, and I’m sure some people turn to watch us, but I don’t care. She’s so innocent and sweet that I can’t hold back anymore. I sit up and lean across the table before kissing her like I’ve been dying to. When I slide my tongue in her mouth, I can taste the sweet maple syrup along with her own personal flavor that I can’t get enough of.