Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry…” I type and then quickly erase it. I’m about to put the phone down when a text comes through.
What were you typing?
My eyes widen. He saw me, just like I saw him.
You go first. You were typing something and then nothing came.
A few seconds go by and then the text comes through.
I just wanted to make sure you were okay.
I clench my eyes shut and shake my head. He’s worried about me, and who knows why? Because I’m his employee? His best friend’s little sister? Or he’s regretting hiring me and worried I’m going to bring drama to his office? Ugh, it could be a hundred different reasons.
Yeah, I’m okay. I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.
I turn my ringer off, then plug my phone back in and force my attention off my screen.
The more that Elijah shows he cares for me, the harder it is for me to distance myself from him. It would be so easy to get all in my feels with him, but that would just be nonsense.
Sleep doesn’t come easily. I can’t stop thinking about the flowers, the card, the way Elijah reacted to it all.
I tell myself it didn’t mean anything.
Elijah is loyal. Protective. A good guy.
My phone lights up again.
I tell myself to ignore it, but seconds later, I’m grabbing it off the end table and hungrily reading the text from Eli.
I just want you to know that I care about you.
That’s it. There’s nothing. No reasoning or anything to explain the random thought.
Why?
His response is quick and vague.
Because I do.
Another pause, longer this time, and then another text comes through.
Get some rest, Sam. Call me if you need anything. ANYTHING!
I sigh and type.
Goodnight, Eli.
He responds.
Goodnight, Sassy.
I plug my phone back in and lie down on the bed. I may not know who sent the flowers, but I know who I wish had sent them.
CHAPTER 11
ELIJAH
I crack my knuckles nervously but know what needs to be done.
I’m waiting for Kane to take a break. I’m at the job site, waiting. I’ve prepared what I’m going to say, played it over and over in my head, and I’m ready.
I have to be because I can’t keep putting this off.
Finally, after what feels like eternity, Kane walks over to me. “What’s up? Did something happen at the office? Why are we meeting here?”
I gesture to the work trailer, and as we walk in, a few people are in the offices, working, looking at blueprints. I motion to the guys, and after shaking their hands, I ask them if they can give Kane and me a few minutes.
They both nod and walk out, giving Kane curious glances.
As soon as they close the door behind them, Kane asks, “What’s going on, Eli, because you’re flipping me the fuck out.”
I sigh. “Sit down.”
He sits on a stool at the table, and I sit across from him. “We need to talk.”
I can see his leg bouncing, and he nods. “Talk, just spit it out.” He snarls his nose. “Is Sam okay? I upset her last night, and she said she was fine, but—”
I tense, fisting my hands. “What do you mean you upset her?”
He sighs, and I see the regret on his face. “She came home all excited about the flowers, and I said something stupid.”
I grit my teeth. “What did you say?”
He shakes his head. “Well, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but when I think about it, it sounded bad.”
“What. Did. You. Say?” I demand.
He holds his hands up. “Geez, chill out. I was just surprised, I guess. She came home with the flowers, and she didn’t know who they were from, and I said something like I’m surprised because she’s pregnant and everything.”
I shake my head. No, he didn’t. “Are you kidding me? That’s pretty shitty, Kane, even for you.”
He doesn’t take offense. It’s obvious he regrets it. “I know. We hugged after I apologized, and I don’t know, it’s just all weird, I guess.” He scoots his chair in. “So do you know who the flowers are from?”
I jut my chin. “They’re from me. I sent them to her.”
His forehead creases, and he looks confused. “You sent her flowers? Why? And why does she think they’re from a secret admirer?”
I clench my hands together on the table in front of me. “I bought the flowers, and the card was in it. I didn’t know, and the florist must have forgotten about it.”
Slowly, he nods his head. “Okay, so you were just sending her flowers to… what?”
I pull my shoulders back. I’ve thought about how to say this, and I know I just need to do it. “I want to date your sister. I want to date Sam.”
He pushes back from the table. “What did you just say?”
I try to remain calm. I don’t want this to come between us, but I do know that no matter what he says, I’m going to pursue Sassy. I have to.