Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
I nod. “I know, Dad.”
He gestures toward my plate. “Now eat before your food gets cold.”
Thankfully, the conversation goes back to normal after that, and we all eat our food.
But the second Dad leaves, I turn on Guy. “What the hell was that?”
Guy shakes his head. “I wasn’t going to start whatever this is between us by lying to your father, Nicole. You know I couldn’t do that.”
“We had a deal. This is a fling. Something private.”
Guy reaches across the table and takes my hand. “We agreed to keep this private. I never agreed it was a fling.”
I lift one shoulder. “But that’s what this is, and the fewer people who know about it, the better.”
His jaw tightens. “You really believe that?”
I pull my hand from his. “I’m trying to be realistic.”
“No. You’re trying to make this mean less than it does because you’re scared.”
My back stiffens. “You don’t get to tell me how I feel.”
“You’re right.” His voice softens. “But I do get to tell you how I feel.”
I stare at him. Guy leans closer across the table. “This isn’t a fling to me, Nicole. I’m not asking you to announce anything or put our business out there, but I’m also not going to pretend you’re just someone I’m sleeping with.”
My heart pounds. “Guy—”
He squeezes my hand again. “What are you so scared of?”
I pull my hand back and bind my fingers together in front of me. “You want the truth?”
He nods. “Always.”
I wrap my arms around myself as the pancakes I just ate threaten to rise. “Fine, you want the truth? Nothing can come of this.”
CHAPTER 15
GUY
I lean toward her. “I’m sorry. What?”
She shrugs as if this is just a casual conversation instead of her dropping a bomb on me. “Yeah, we’re good together, and I have fun with you, but you’re Guy Brody.”
I stand from my side of the booth and move around to sit beside her. I turn toward her, effectively blocking her from the rest of the restaurant. “You’re scared.”
Her eyes lower. “I am. I don’t want to get hurt.” Then she looks back at me. “And you could absolutely destroy me.”
Before I can answer, she continues. “I can’t do this, Guy. I’ve seen the women you date.”
“So?”
She lifts her shoulders. “I’m nothing like them.”
I laugh once. “I know you’re not.”
Her mouth drops open. “What is that supposed to mean?”
I shake my head. “You said it. You’re nothing like the women I’ve dated before.” I move closer. “You’re beautiful. You’re smart, determined, and dedicated.”
She huffs. “I was referring to the fact that I’m not skinny or that I don’t look good in a bikini.”
My mouth practically waters at the thought. “I would love to see you in a bikini.”
She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Guy, you’re not listening. People online are mean, and I don’t want to be known as the fat girl who bagged Guy Brody and then got dumped by him.” She blows out a breath. “This is getting too complicated. Maybe we should cool it for a while. Take a break.”
I hold up my hand. “Wait. Hold up. Take a break? You want to take a break?”
She shakes her head. “Look, I know you’re not used to this, but I have a lot going on right now. I thought I’d be able to find a teaching job easily, but nowhere is hiring. I don’t even know how long I’m going to be here if I can’t find a job and—”
I sit up straighter. Hell, no. She’s not leaving. I pull my phone from my pocket and find Jason Wolf’s number. As I hit call, I look at her. “What grade do you want to teach?”
She shakes her head. “It doesn’t work like that.”
I just stare at her.
She sighs. “Kindergarten or first grade, but I’m a new teacher. I can’t exactly cherry-pick, Guy.”
Jason answers.
“Hey, man. It’s Guy.”
“Guy Brody. I just watched you on television. Good game tonight.”
“Thanks. I’m actually calling to ask you a favor.”
“Name it.”
I look straight at Nicole. “You happen to need a kindergarten or first-grade teacher?”
Nicole’s mouth drops open, and both of her hands fly to her cheeks.
Jason laughs. “You looking for a day job?”
I smile. “A good friend of mine just moved to town, and she’s looking.”
There’s a brief pause before Jason says, “As long as she’s qualified, tell her to call the school tomorrow. I still have a kindergarten position open, and I can bring her in for an interview.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Jason. I owe you.”
“No problem. See you at the gym.”
I end the call and look at Nicole. “Call Whiskey Run Elementary tomorrow and ask for Jason Wolf. He’s the principal. He has a kindergarten opening and said he’ll interview you.”
Her eyes get even wider. “Are you kidding me?”
“I’m not kidding.”
“You just happen to know the principal of an elementary school?”