Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 121887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
The sweet, cozy feeling in the cab dissipated immediately.
Therefore, I rushed on, “But I gave him birthday cake cupcakes tonight, and he nearly burst into tears. I don’t think he has anyone who’s ever nice to him. And it’s not nice to have an acquaintance with someone and not even know their name.”
“A man that stares at your tits doesn’t deserve you asking his name.”
“We ask him for information all the time,” I countered. “Obviously, its gross that he does that, but, I mean, you give as good as you get, and maybe we haven’t been all that nice to him either.”
“There are some people in this world who don’t deserve you bein’ nice to them, baby,” he said gently.
“I know. And I would put Mr. Stupidhead in that category before he almost started crying when I gave him cupcakes. But now I’m not so sure.”
“You say you bribe him with porn.”
“Yes, and now also cupcakes.”
“So this clown is getting before he gives. That means, you don’t owe him dick. And if you speak to a woman, you look her in the eyes, even if you don’t like her. No exceptions.”
He was right.
“You’re right,” I allowed.
“I know,” he stated.
“I still feel bad we haven’t asked his name,” I admitted.
“That’s because you’re you.”
Now what did that mean?
Last night, I was the spoiled rich girl out slumming.
Now, I’m a nice person?
I was beginning to agree with Javi.
We needed to have a conversation before I got whiplash trying to figure out what was in his head.
He took us to Thai Chili 2go, and the minute he parked, I was delighted he decided on that one, because I suddenly needed those spicy chicken bites and pad thai like I needed oxygen.
I opened my door to jump down, and my feet barely hit the asphalt before Javi was there.
He took my hand, guided me out of the door, shut it, and kept hold of my hand as we walked to the restaurant.
Oh yeah.
Holding my hand?
Serious to the seriously.
What on earth was going on?
We stood at the menu thing as Javi perused it. Since I knew what I wanted, I pulled my hand from his and ordered.
I was down by the register getting out my wallet when Javi said, “Mine’s with hers, and I’m paying.”
I looked to him to see he was addressing the register guy.
I turned to the register guy. “This isn’t a date. I’m getting mine.”
Register guy started ringing me up.
“Mine’s with hers,” Javi repeated. “And I’m paying.”
Register guy looked to Javi.
Javi pushed me out of his way, pulling out his wallet.
“I can get my own dinner,” I told him.
He looked down at me. “I know you can. That doesn’t mean you are.”
“Okay then, I don’t want you to buy my dinner,” I returned.
Javi switched his attention to register guy. “She’s full of it because we’re fighting. This is a date and I’m buying her dinner.”
Register guy nodded and started poking at the screen while I experienced heart palpitations.
“This is not a date!” I cried.
“Yes, it is,” Javi retorted.
It was?
How?
Why?
Again, how?
“You don’t like me,” I reminded him.
“We’ll talk about it when we get to your place,” Javi declared.
All right.
Enough.
I put my hands on my hips. “I can’t believe I need to remind you that I’ve had a rough couple of days, Javi. First, I’m on a mission you horn in on, meeting up with a conman loser to take him down, then you share your truth, then the conman gets his throat slit—”
Register guy gurgled unhappily.
I kept ranting.
“—then my girl gang throws down, you rescue me, and although I appreciate the rescue, truly, you made yourself clear last night. I heard you. You don’t have to feel bad about it. It’s said. It’s done. And you are not buying my dinner because we are not on a date because you told me you don’t even like me!”
“I also told you we’ll talk about it when we get to your place,” Javi replied, then looked to register guy. “How much?”
Register guy stared up at him with a pale face then reached across and tapped the screen.
Javi pulled out some cash and gave it to him. Quick as a flash, register guy took it and started making change.
“Oh my God! You just paid!” I snapped irritably.
Javi turned to me. “You can stop bein’ cute, or you can get kissed. Your choice.”
I shut my mouth because really…
What on earth was happening?????
Javi dropped the change in the tip jar then guided me to a table where we could sit and wait for our food to be ready.
“I’m not talking to you,” I announced when I took my seat.
“Good,” Javi retorted when he took his. “Means, by the time I get you home, I can finally get a word or two in and clear this shit up.”
I had something to say to that, something along the lines of, he’d already said too much, but I’d hardly stopped him from speaking since he did. However, due to the fact I’d just proclaimed I wasn’t talking to him, I couldn’t say it.