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)
His eyes hold mine. “But I’m doing it because you asked me to.”
Something in my chest tightens. “I know that too.”
He brushes his thumb over my cheek, then stops himself before he kisses me.
“Ten minutes.”
I nod. “Ten minutes.”
He walks toward the door, and of course someone recognizes him. He spends the next five minutes taking pictures and signing napkins. I knew he would be recognized as soon as he got out of this corner booth.
I watch as he smiles and jokes with the family. And when he looks up and sees me watching him from across the restaurant, I don’t even try to put my guard up. He winks at me, and I swear it feels like my stomach does a somersault. I keep insisting this is private and casual, but I’m doing a terrible job of keeping my heart out of it. Because all I can think about is how perfect Guy is for me.
CHAPTER 17
GUY
Nicole texts me before I even make it to her apartment complex. “Park at the building across from mine. Far end of the lot.”
I stare at the message and grit my teeth. I don’t want to do it. Every part of me wants to pull right up to her building, walk through the front door with her, and stop acting like we need to hide the fact we want to be together. Reluctantly, I turn into the lot she told me to use and park beneath a tree at the far end. I’m willing to follow her rules for now. Only because I don’t want to push her too hard and scare her away. I remind myself that she is younger than me and scared. I get it. But this isn’t temporary for me. She may not understand that yet, but I’m in this for the long haul.
I get out of my truck and walk across the parking lot. Nicole opens her door before I even knock. I smirk at her. “Were you watching for me?”
She shakes her head way too quickly. “No.”
I smile. “Liar.”
She grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me inside before looking down the hallway to make sure no one saw me.
I wait until she closes the door before saying, “You know, sneaking around is starting to make me feel like I’m a teenager in high school or something.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’ll survive.”
I put my hands on her shoulders. “Oh, I’ll survive because I know eventually you’re going to be okay with us telling the world we’re together.”
I see the panic flare in her eyes. “You’re pushing it, Brody.”
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her against me. “Well, I got you alone now, so kissing is okay, right?”
She laughs and pushes at my chest. “Kissing is good, but first, let me show you around.”
The apartment isn’t big, but it suits her. Most of the rooms are still empty except for a few boxes stacked against the wall. Her living room is bare, and there are a few things scattered across the kitchen counter. “This is the living room, obviously. Kitchen. Bathroom is down there, and my bedroom is at the end of the hall.”
I look toward the front door we just walked through. “What kind of lock is that?”
She stops. “What?”
I walk over to the door and point at the knob. “Your front door.”
She blinks at me and shrugs. “A regular lock?”
I turn the little knob and pat up and down the door. It’s obvious there’s no other lock, but I’m amazed that the only lock is on the knob.
Nicole stops next to me. “Guy.”
I look at her, worried about her safety. This lock is not going to stop anyone from coming in. “You need a deadbolt.”
She points at the knob. “I have a deadbolt.”
I shake my head. “Honey, that’s not a deadbolt. That’s a lock, and a flimsy one at that. Can I put some better locks on the door? I’m going to worry about you when I’m away at games if this is the only thing stopping someone from coming in.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Are you inspecting my apartment?”
“Yes.” I move toward the window and check the latch, and with one flick of my finger it’s loose. “Nicole, you’re on the first floor. This lock is not going to keep anyone out. You need new locks.” I peek out the windows. “And cameras. You need cameras.”
Her mouth drops open. “Why would I have cameras?”
I put my hands on her shoulders. “Because you’re a beautiful woman living alone.”
She gives me a look.
I ignore it and glance toward the door again. “I can get you a doorbell camera tomorrow. And a better lock.”
“Guy.”
She slides her hands up my chest and loops them around my neck. “You know, I’ve lived alone for years. I lived in an apartment while I was in college. I can take care of myself.”