Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 103754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Keeping my voice down, I ask, “I thought it was a holiday party?”
With her eyes locked on the display, Sierra replies, “They wanted to celebrate their daughter’s birthday right at midnight.”
I’m nudged on my other side. When I glance over at Darren, he waggles his eyebrows. “She’s twenty-one. Hot. Have you seen her?”
I shake my head, not willing to admit I’ve been too distracted by another girl tonight, someone who has blown me off. I’m an idiot for believing there was a spark between us when she clearly didn’t feel it.
The crowd sings off-key and parts like the Red Sea for the birthday girl as she comes through the opening. Are you fucking kidding me? Short blond hair, an electric-pink glittering dress that hits mid-thigh, and a pair of Converse that are the only thing remotely tying her back to the girl I met at the guesthouse.
Mystery solved. Right there in the center of attention I’m sure she lives for, Sosie blows at the candle. When it’s still flaming, she licks her fingers and taps the hot wick, putting out the fire.
My cheek lifts in amusement, then drops to a scowl as irritation from being conned by her wins out. I excuse myself. “Going to load the truck.”
I grab a stack of crates from the kitchen and head out to the street where the truck is parked. Too many questions and no real answers run rampant through my head.
Why would she trick me into believing we were one and the same? Yeah, we’re not.
Was she testing me? I should have clued in that she was a mole when she was standing out in the freezing weather. I’m so easily distracted by a pretty face.
Is she going to report back to catering management to get me fired? Tell them I was smoking on private property even though she bummed most of it?
A little rich girl wanting to slum it on her birthday? Boringly cliché.
“Is that how she gets her kicks?” I roll my eyes as I send the door sliding up. I slip the crates into the cargo bay and jump up to stack them in the back.
I turn around to see Sosie standing behind the truck. It’s a shock to the system when I believed we’d made a connection. And I thought I was safe out here, that I could finish this shift without having to face her again. No such luck. I eye her, barely recognizing the girl before me. “You’re missing your party.” My tone is flat, wishing she’d stayed inside and let me finish what I need to do.
“I should have told you.”
“You think?” Sarcasm infiltrates the accusation. Tread carefully, Keats. I should probably heed management's warning and keep my mouth shut. After all, she’s the client, and I’m just a mere server at her disposal. Yeah, that sarcasm isn’t going away.
I start for the opening, ready to go inside for the second load and avoid this confrontation, which will be best for both of us. “I have a job to do. I’m sure you can’t relate.” I tried . . .
Bright headlights light up the back of the truck, exposing me to the gaze that doesn’t hold any of the joy caught in her eyes earlier. She says, “I wasn’t purposely keeping it from you. You assumed and I—”
“So now I’m to blame?” I laugh through my words. “That’s rich.” My gaze levels on her. “Like you.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she raises an eyebrow at me. “It’s my parents’ money, not mine.” The contempt in her tone purses her lips. The confidence she wore so boldly earlier isn’t lacking in her expression, with her eyes set on mine. Seems I’ve struck a nerve. Can’t say I wasn’t trying. I just wish I didn’t find her so attractive, given that attitude that’s sprung up in her stance.
“It will be, and that’s what makes it a lie. Even now, you’re acting like . . .” I look back at the mansion and throw my hand toward it. “Like you don’t live here, as if you can relate to someone who struggles to make ends meet.”
“Is that what it takes? A struggle for a struggle? My opinion holds no value because my life is different?” She shakes her head as she releases a heavy breath that fogs in a cloud in front of her. When she looks back up, regret slopes her shoulders forward. “I thought you were different, Poet. My mistake.”
She steps onto the sidewalk and reaches the gate before I realize I’m triggered by something she has no control over. It was good earlier. The betrayal I feel now is manufactured. She’s not a different person from the Sosie I met before. I’m just getting in my own way at this point. I liked the girl I met. “Hey,” I call, rushing to the end of the bay and jumping down to the street.