Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
The server writes down both of our orders. “Any food for you?” he asks her.
I lean in. “Can I buy you dinner? I’d rather not eat alone.”
The server is waiting but Taylor shakes her head. “Thanks for the offer. I already ate. But don’t worry, I’ll be here so you don’t have to sit in solitary silence.” Her lips twitch in amusement.
“Good. I appreciate your company.”
She blushes a pretty pink. “Same here.”
The band returns and music surrounds us once more. “They’re talented,” I say, tipping my head toward the stage.
She nods, her eyes lighting up. “Katy and Reed are my good friends. That’s why I’m here.” She studies me, not ashamed as she looks me over, much as I’d done to her, her eyes warming at what she sees. “What brings you here, Jack? Other than hunger, I mean.”
Propping an elbow on the table, I lean closer, taking in her sweet and arousing scent. “My partners and I own a nightclub in Miami called Midnight. We’re looking to open our second location here.”
“That sounds great. I’m from Charleston, born and raised, and I think you can fill a need in this area. Did you find a spot?” she asks, her gaze on mine, as if interested in what I have to say.
“I did.” I tell her the location.
“That is perfect! The building has been sitting empty, and I love the idea of a nightclub there.”
“Good to know.” A feeling of ease washes over me. “I’m glad to hear it from a local. I just need to run the location by Lucas and Tristan.”
“Your partners,” she guesses.
I nod. “What is it you do?” I ask.
She takes a sip of her soda that brings her to the bottom of the glass, then says, “Director of community outreach for the charity my dad runs. It’s a foundation whose mission focuses on mentorship, leadership, job training, and scholarships for underprivileged youth.”
“So you’re not just beautiful, you’re altruistic, too.”
Her cheeks flush at the compliment. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
“My mom founded a charity for women who’ve been abused. I help her out when I can, but most of the women at the shelters they run are more comfortable with women than men, so I mostly donate money or use the club for fundraisers.”
“And you’re not just handsome, but also altruistic,” she says.
“So we’re both good-looking and charitable,” I say with a chuckle. I’m just glad she finds me attractive because I can’t take my eyes off her.
“Here you go.” The server places my dinner on the table and our fresh drinks in front of us.
“Thank you,” I say.
I add ketchup, take a bite of the burger, and groan. My empty stomach is grateful for the delicious food.
Taylor glances at me from beneath her eyelashes. The pink is back in her cheeks, and I realize the noise I’d made sounded a hell of lot like a sex groan. She noticed, but ignoring it seems like the best idea. “The food here is delicious,” I say.
She laughs and just like that, the tension is broken.
By the time I finish dinner, the band is packing up because open mic night will be starting soon. The speakers in the restaurant take over, a Bob Dylan song playing.
The server steps up to our table. “Would you like dessert?” he asks.
I glance at Taylor, but her gaze is somewhere over my shoulder. She pales before rushing to gather her white sweater and red purse, which are hanging from the back of her chair.
I shake my head at the waiter regarding dessert and gesture for the check, which he has ready. He places it on the table before walking away.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as she rises to her feet.
“I’m sorry, I need to go.” She dips her head and takes a step.
“Taylor.” I stand. I’m not thinking things through, I just know I’m intrigued by this woman and I’m not ready to lose her just yet.
She ignores my call and starts for the door.
Shoving my hand into my pocket, I pull out cash and toss down some money, then follow, meeting up with her on the sidewalk outside. “Taylor, wait up!”
She turns, eyes wide.
“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” One minute we were contemplating dessert, the next she was on her feet.
She shakes her head. “Nothing’s wrong. I just needed air.” But she doesn’t meet my gaze.
Though I sense she’s lying, I don’t call her out on it.
“I want to take a walk. Join me?” she asks, glancing back at the door as if someone is going to rush out after her.
There’s nothing I can say if she doesn’t want to confide in me. “Sure. A walk sounds great.”
She takes long steps and I lengthen mine to keep up, my gaze on her dark hair and the black dress she wears, until the restaurant is behind us and she slows down. I don’t know her at all, so as much as I’m curious as to what the rush was about, it’s not my place to ask.