Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Just under the green-and-yellow-striped awning of Foodie’s Supermarket, she stops before passing through the automatic doors. I halt, pretending I didn’t word vomit one of my biggest secrets to this woman who has my lips as loose as a jellyfish.
The tune from the kiddie ride kicks in when a kid drops a quarter in the slot after hopping on the dolphin. Autumn turns to look over her shoulder and then lands back on me under a series of blinks and squeezed-together brows. Holding up a finger between us, she says, “Bananas, oranges, fish, chicken, and some veggies. All are good for you but also promote healing.” She walks in, letting me off the hook.
I’m sure the topic of that comment will come up again, but for now, we walk into the air-conditioning. “Bananas, oranges, fish, chicken, and veggies. Got it.”
We get the items she listed off, and I add a few things along the way. I stop to breathe. Moving that case wasn’t my smartest move, like the attempted run this morning that didn’t end well for me. I’m now paying for it.
She peeks back around the endcap. When she sees me, she returns, wrapping her arm around my back, and whispering, “Let’s get you home so I can take care of you.”
All day, I didn’t know if this was some madcap last adventure together and we’d go our separate ways, or if she would stick around a while longer. The way I breathe easier knowing she’s coming home with me tells me this is work for her, but for me, it’s now personal.
Half an hour later, I’m resting on the couch, like I was told, with my feet propped up on the arm while she’s in the kitchen unloading the groceries. “Hey?”
“Yeah?”
“You snuck Ding Dongs into the order. That’s not on the approved list.” She sits on the coffee table beside me holding a Ding Dong with a bite out of it between her fingers.
I snatch it and shove the whole thing in my mouth before she has time to protest. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Want to count that as your hard-earned reward?”
Coming to rest my hand on her knee, I rub the pad of my thumb over her soft skin. There are a billion things I’d want as a reward for running around with her today, but none would be necessary since spending time with her feels like the prize itself. I’m not stupid enough to let this opportunity slip away, though. “The Ding Dong was good, but it’s not what I was hoping for.”
“Oh yeah?” She leans forward, covering my hand with hers and looks me in the eyes like she’s never backed down from a challenge. “Tell me what you have in mind, Lieutenant.”
“I’d rather show you.”
CHAPTER 23
AUTUMN
“You picked the wrong girl if you thought I would take it easy on you.” I lay a yellow three-card on top of his. “I have three sisters who are cutthroat when it comes to the game of UNO. There is no slacking when card games are involved. You’re about to lose your shirt, Lieutenant.”
He slaps down the same number but blue, flipping the color scheme. “The Season Sisters don’t scare me,” he challenges, smirking in that way that makes me want to tackle him, to claim that smirk and take the victory. “I’ve never shied away from competition. My mom always told us to bring our best game, or it’s not worth playing.”
“Wise woman.”
Sliding to the edge of the couch, he leans closer to where I’m sitting on the floor. “Speaking of shirts,” he says, in a tone meant for secrets and seduction, “let’s talk about that reward you promised.”
“I thought playing UNO was the reward?” I toss a blue five-card down and bat my eyelashes. He doesn’t even know what’s coming, like an unsuspecting victim floating in an innertube in the middle of the sea, too relaxed to understand the danger moving in.
“No, this is just a game. The reward is how we play.” Oh lordy.
I drag my palm over the side of my skirt and brace myself for what’s about to come out of his mouth next.
When he waggles his eyebrows, I know I’m in trouble. Brandon loves to push me out of my comfort zone, so I can only imagine what he’s got up his short sleeve. “Every time you have to draw a card, another item of clothing comes off.”
“Strip UNO?” The pitch of my voice could be interpreted by dolphins. I’m still staring at him when I tilt my chin to my chest, trying to reason through the repercussions of this twist.
What am I wearing? I take a tally. Shirt. Skirt. Bra. Panties. Not much then.
How many times have we stated we’ve seen it all though? Many.
Still staring, I try to close my gob smacker and figure out how many items of clothes he’s wearing.