Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“No ball games on my schedule for a while.”
“And the other?” she raises her eyebrows.
“The other is a non-issue.”
“Non-issue? Meaning what?” She presses her lips together, shaking her head. “Don’t answer that.”
“I’ll answer any of your questions. But before I do, tell me about your hang-up with my job.”
“Howdy!” The blonde pops over, vibrating with excitement and offering her hand. “Thought it was time we formally met. I’m Rebecca Yates. Everyone calls me Bex.”
“Talon Simms.” I shake her hand. “But you already know that.”
“Yep, and Lucas is finishing with a patient but wanted me to let you know everything is here.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“What are y’all talking about?”
“Go to lunch with me?” I ignore Willow’s question.
“No, thank you.” Her cheeks heat, glancing between Bex and me.
“Have you already eaten?”
“Talon, don’t do this.”
“Answer me, Willow. Have you eaten?”
“No.”
“Me neither and I’m starving. We have to eat.”
“Starving…” Bex drags out the word.
“Well, if you won’t go out with me, we’ll have to eat here.”
“You can’t eat here. This is my work.”
“I was told there is a nice breakroom and had lunch delivered.”
“You did what!?!” she squeaks and Bex snorts.
“Your next appointment is in an hour. We better get started.”
“How do you know that?”
I stand, motioning for Bex to lead the way.
She bounces across the training room to a large break room loaded with covered platters.
“Oh my God, what did you do?” Willow gasps from behind.
“I’m resourceful. Anticipating your rejection was step one, I made alternative plans.”
“There’s enough food here to feed an army.”
“Not an army, but hopefully twenty.”
She looks around then shakes her head. “Wait, Bex mentioned… did Lucas know about this?”
“He’s useful.”
“He’s dead meat.”
“I think the words are ‘Thank you’.” Lucas strolls in, shaking my hand and going straight to a tray. “It’s been forever since we’ve had Ralph’s.”
“Ralph’s?” This time, Willow’s question is laced with amazement. “I love their food.”
“That’s why I ordered it.”
“But they don’t deliver.”
“They do with the right amount of persuasion.”
The amazement in her voice spreads to her expression. A slow burn trails through my chest at the glittering shade of emerald aimed at me. In this moment, her guard is down and appreciation reflects my way.
“I’m not sure what to say.”
“Once again, ‘Thank you’ works at times like these.” This time it’s Bex’s suggestion.
“Lolo!” A streak of blue races past me.
Willow’s mouth drops at the same time she squats to catch the little boy as he throws himself at her. She rocks back, swaying him from side to side. “What in the world?”
“Daddy said we’re surprising you.”
My body tenses, taking in the child in her arms. His cheeks are flushed and smile wide. He frames her face with his chubby hands. “Are you surprised?”
“The best kind of surprise.” She beams at him.
He looks over his shoulder, and it’s then I catch the crystal green eyes lit with excitement. My heart stops at the possibility.
Is this her…
“Nephew,” Lucas says quietly, answering my unspoken question.
“Chase, what are you doing here?” Willow stands while the little boy races to Bex next. She whips him into the air, kissing his cheeks.
A large guy steps through the doorway, his gaze locked on Bex. It’s then I see the resemblance. The little boy is a spitting image of him, and the similarities to Willow are undeniable.
He tears his eyes away to flash his sister a smile. “Bex told me to come here.”
Bex pulls her attention from the child to Chase. “Glad you decided to stop by.”
“Bex told you to stop by? When?” Willow’s voice has gone pitchy.
“When I called her to invite you both to lunch.”
“Why didn’t she mention that to me?”
“Probably because it would ruin the surprise,” Bex answers with a faint blush to her skin and glint in her eye.
I shoot her a knowing grin. The woman is good. She may have orchestrated a very early meet-the-family moment, but she ensured Willow wouldn’t have plans.
It’s hard to miss the once-over Chase gives me before he steps in closer, offering a hand. “Chase Richards.”
“Talon Simms.” I return the force of his grip.
To most, his blank face would give nothing away. But I’m skilled in reading people. The man knows who I am and my interest in his sister. He also knows she’s trying her best to brush me off.
“That’s my son, Wyatt.” He drops my hand and gestures to the boy, now watching us.
“I gathered.”
“You the cop?”
“You heard of me?”
“Bex mentioned something.” The dip in his tone when he mentions her name has me doing a double-take between them.
The woman is now helping Wyatt with his plate. He’s watching them closely, a softness in his gaze not aimed at his boy.
He jerks his chin back to me. “Willow turns down your invites so you intrude on her clinic?”
A quick glance at Willow, who hasn’t moved but is observing us intently. I’ve never been one to explain myself, but I’ll give him this one.