Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Oh.
He licks his lips in an overt suggestion—one I have no problem understanding. It’s the understanding part that causes my skin to feel too small for my body.
This is what I’ve been after. A fun, casual night with a guy to get me back in the saddle. And by the looks of Bryant, he’d be a whole lot of fun.
The Gabby from Boston, from before Christopher’s death, would’ve known what to say. Hell, she’d have already said it. I’d be sitting on this guy’s lap and working him up. He’d be eating out of the palm of my hand.
But now, I hesitate. A snack is sitting inches from me, and nothing comes out of my mouth. Time is ticking and he’s waiting for a response. But the more time passes, the more frantic I get.
I don’t know what to say.
Suddenly, the thought of going home with Bryant is overwhelming. It’s not what I want. Not at all.
What I want is back on Bittersweet Court, hiding secrets and pushing me away.
I look at Della across the table. What do you do when the thing that just might make you happy refuses to let you try?
“Hey, Heath,” a voice says, coming our way. An attractive man with dimples approaches our table. “How have you been?”
“Well, if it isn’t Lark Johnston.” Heath stands and shakes Lark’s hand. “It’s been a long time, buddy. How have you been?”
“Hanging in there,” Lark says.
“Lark, this is my friend Bryant.”
Bryant nods at Lark. “Nice to meet ya.”
“Same,” Lark says, flipping his gaze to mine. There’s a twinkle in his eye that tickles my curiosity. “And who are you?”
“Babe, this is my new neighbor, Gabby,” Della says. “Gabby, this is Lark.”
“Babe”? Interesting.
Lark’s grin is cheeky. “It’s nice to meet you, Gabby.” He and Della exchange a look that I can’t quite read.
Lark sits next to Della. He wastes no time pulling her into his side and whispering something in her ear. She gazes up at him and winks, making him laugh.
My stomach tightens, although I’m unsure why. Everything is going well, and my tablemates are chatting away like old friends. Why do I feel like I’m on the ledge, waiting to fall?
“So,” Bryant says, casually, “are you single?”
“Yes.”
“Great.”
“But,” I say, holding a finger between us, “I’m not here to pick up a guy.”
Even though that’s exactly why I was here originally.
“That’s fine,” he says. “You don’t have to pick me up. I’ll pick you up.”
“You’re cute.”
He scoots closer, his body rippling with energy. “I’m a lot more than cute. Give me a chance.”
I force a swallow and lean back, trying to get a grip on the chaos inside me. Luckily, I’m saved from responding when Lark speaks loudly.
“There he is,” Lark says, looking over his shoulder. “I was afraid you got lost.”
“It’s Jay Fucking Stetson,” Heath says, laughing. “Hell, brother. I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Say what? The room begins to spin. Did he just say Jay Stetson?
My gaze whips to Della’s. She grins, shrugging.
I close my eyes.
“Are you all right, mama?” Bryant asks.
This is bad. This is so, so bad.
I open my eyes and am immediately clobbered by a blaze of heat from the side.
“Do you know Bryant Shoals?” Lark asks. “And that is Gabby, a friend of Della’s.”
Fuck. My. Life.
“Nice to meet you, Jay,” Bryant says, still angled my way.
Everyone stares at me, waiting for me to say hello. I slowly bring my eyes to Jay’s. Our gazes collide so hard that I flinch.
Jay’s jaw flexes. He works it back and forth while gripping his glass so hard his knuckles turn white. Even though he’s pissed, he’s so damn handsome that none of these men even come close.
But what does it matter how attractive he is? Or how strong the connection is between us? He’s made it clear: he may want me, but he’ll never give in.
“Good to see you again,” I say, my voice even.
“Is it?” Jay asks, the words cold and clipped.
His indignation angers me. He has no right to be mad. My choices are none of his business.
“Yeah,” I say, lifting a brow. “It’s always nice to run into neighbors when we’re out and about. How else would we see each other?”
Bryant scoots closer. “If you were my neighbor, you’d be seeing a lot of me.”
Jay pins me to my seat with his stare. The intensity makes me shiver.
“Do you want to see a lot of me tonight, mama?” Bryant asks, giving me a cocky grin. “Say the word and we’ll get out of here.”
I pull my eyes away from Jay and land them on my seatmate. Knowing Jay’s watching my every move, I lean toward Bryant.
“You certainly seem like a man who knows what he wants,” I say, coyly.
I can almost feel Jay bristle from across the table.
Bryant leans so close he nearly touches me. “I want you.”