Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 74214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Maybe,” Dom said, shrugging. “Just seems off to me. But I don’t know dick about that kind of thing, so don’t trust me. I’m gonna go pick up the pizzas.”
With that, he was gone and I couldn’t help but make my way over toward the coffee cart, getting two, then approaching Hazel.
“I got—” I started, only for Hazel to let out a shriek as her whole body jolted hard. “Shit. Sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”
“Sorry. No. I’m just a little jumpy tonight,” she said, looking a little pink in the face at the admission.
“Maybe this isn’t the best idea then,” I said, gesturing with the coffee I’d gotten for her.
“Oh, no. I need that,” she said, snatching it from me like she was afraid I’d rescind the offer.
I watched as she took a long sip, her eyes closed, a little moan escaping her that went right to my dick.
I sucked in a deep breath, reminding myself that my entire family was around.
“It seems like the kids are having fun,” she said, watching the picnic tables full of my nieces, nephews, and their cousins as they did autumnal crafts.
“Completely unaware of the terror they are about to face,” I said, nodding toward where the performers were lingering near the woods. “Better for them to get the scare part over with before the pizza gets here.”
“I can lead them in,” she offered, but she looked a little green at the prospect.
“That’s not necessary. That girl there—what’s her name?—she can take them in.”
“That’s Brit. She’s good at the tours.”
“It’s settled then,” I said, calling Brit over and asking her to get started.
“You’re not going?”
“Been through it,” I said, shrugging as I led her over toward the picnic tables as the kids rushed to line up with their parents.
“You’re going?” I asked my mom as she piled all the crafts into her oversized bag for safekeeping.
“I am.”
“You hate being scared.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said, avoiding eye contact. “I love doing all sorts of things with my grand babies. Hazel, you’ve been on your feet all night. Sit. Rest. Dante, make her rest,” she insisted before literally running off to catch up with the others as Brit led them all away toward the woods.
The two parents hanging around with babies caught a look my mother sent them and both made bullshit excuses about changing diapers and nursing before hustling off to leave the two of us alone.
“They’ve got the subtlety of a car alarm at three in the morning,” I said, shaking my head.
“It’s sweet. They just love you and want to see you happy and settled. If you didn’t want that I guess it would be a different story.”
“I guess you’re right,” I agreed, sitting down next to her.
And for once, my mom was onto something with Hazel. Not only was she beautiful, but there was a spark. That magic that you couldn’t manufacture.
It was a shame that it was the one woman I really needed to keep my hands—and everything else—off of.
“Any progress on finding your mom a date?”
“I’m keeping myself out of that one.”
“Because if she knows you were in on it, she would feel even more vindicated about trying to set you up.”
“Something like that.” I turned to set my empty cup behind us on the table.
When I turned forward again, she was looking at me, our faces just inches apart. Up close, I could see the sleeplessness in the smudges under her eyes, but all I could seem to focus on was the way her eyes clouded over, how her lids went heavy with desire.
Her gaze slipped down to my lips, then back up again. My own were helpless but to do the same.
When our eyes met again, there was a tension in the air, drawing us closer, begging us to give in.
My hand lifted.
Her eyelids fluttered.
“Where is everyone?” Valley called, making us both snap back from each other just a second before our lips could brush.
Turning, I saw her approaching with a tall, older man at her side—all brown corduroy slacks, a button-up, and a bulky tan sweater with elbow pads, and salt-and-pepper hair.
“I guess that answers my earlier question,” Hazel said in a whisper before turning to shoot my sister a smile.
“Hey, Val. They’re in the woods.”
“Mom too?”
“Somehow, yes.”
“Okay. Well, this is Dr. Leonard Sheldon,” Valley said, waving toward the man beside her.
“Nice to meet you,” I said, offering my hand. “Do you work with Valley at the academy?”
“No. No, Dr. Sheldon was one of my professors in college,” Valley explained.
“Really? What class?” I asked.
“Ethics,” Dr. Sheldon explained.
“Ethics?” I asked, nearly snorting.
“Ethics,” Valley repeated.
I could see Hazel glancing between us, confused, not in on the joke. To his credit, Dr. Sheldon seemed completely unbothered by it.
“Would you like a snack or hot beverage?” Hazel offered, leading him off.