Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Sapphire suspected that he’d changed what he’d started to say.
“Okay!” Harper agreed. The petite woman ran off to talk to a man leaning against the wall, who watched them closely.
“Other what?” she asked Blade. She could tell from his expression that he knew exactly what she was asking.
“There are some things that are best shared by the individual,” he answered cryptically.
“Hmm.” While Sapphire approved of him not gossiping, a part of her wanted the information he’d chosen not to reveal. She crossed her fingers hoping to get the scoop soon.
Sapphire watched as Harper’s fellow slowly nodded before saying something to her. Immediately, the other woman smiled and ran over to a cluster of people seated at the table. As Harper talked to them, the entire group turned to look at Sapphire.
“Tell me they’re friendly,” Sapphire said out of the corner of her mouth to Blade.
“I have weapons. You’re safe,” he assured her as the group leapt to their feet. Two chairs clattered to the ground as four women rushed toward them.
Blade stepped in front of Sapphire and held up a hand. “Whoa, ladies.”
“Oh, sorry. We didn’t mean to frighten her,” one assured Blade.
“I’m not scared,” Sapphire told them as she peeked over the biker’s broad shoulder. She couldn’t move around him. Blade held her hand pressed to his firm butt. She struggled not to explore his body.
“We’ll be good,” Harper promised.
Blade relented and stepped back to Sapphire’s side. “Everyone wants nachos?”
“And to meet Sapphire,” a young woman dressed all in black confessed.
“Say hello and then go ask your… men for permission,” Blade instructed.
Sapphire watched in amazement as they lined up in front of her. In three minutes, she’d met Harper’s friends, Remi, Eden, Carlee, and Molly. They were super sweet and seemed happy to meet her.
Molly lingered after greeting her. “Elizabeth is here too. She’s out dancing. Talon’s teaching us a few steps. It’s so much fun. Look, here they come.”
The couple arrived in excellent spirits. It was easy to see that they enjoyed dancing together. The woman zeroed in on Sapphire immediately as a new arrival and introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Elizabeth.”
“Hi, Elizabeth. I’m Sapphire. The two of you dance superbly.”
“Talon can make anyone appear good.”
“That’s two, Little girl.”
That quiet comment drew Sapphire’s attention to the handsome man at Elizabeth’s side. His face was serious as he focused on the other woman.
“I’m smart, and my friends love me,” Elizabeth added to the conversation. Then, as if she realized that was random, she clarified for Sapphire. “Daddy makes me think of two nice things about myself if I say anything negative.”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll tell you one more. I think you’re an excellent dancer,” Sapphire added.
Elizabeth looked at Talon and then back at Sapphire. “Thank you. I love to move to the music. It’s so much fun. Hey, everyone’s putting the tables together.”
“I’m ordering nachos. Are you hungry, Elizabeth?” Blade asked.
“Starving! No jalapeños for me,” she requested.
“I’ll put in a couple of orders. One with jalapeños and one without,” Blade promised. “Elizabeth, would you help Sapphire find a seat?”
“Of course. Let’s join the others. You’ve met everyone?” Elizabeth asked as she walked with Sapphire over to the table.
“Yes. They’re all nice.”
“They’re the best friends I’ve ever had. You’ll see,” Elizabeth assured her.
The thought that she’d like to have people in her life she felt that close to resonated in Sapphire’s mind. She’d always had friends, but they’d been more acquaintances. These women appeared bonded. Their body language proved that as they leaned close to each other with happy expressions.
“Jalapeño lovers on that side. Sane people over here,” Harper directed.
The two women looked at each other and split up. Sapphire sat down on the spicy section, struggling to remember the two women’s names. The flurry of introductions had evaporated from her mind.
“Yay! You live on the edge like Carlee and me,” said the dark-haired goth-like woman, pointing to the cutie with pigtails.
Whew! That was one name. Carlee and….
“Remi really doesn’t like peppers, but they seem daring, so she tries to eat them. Her Daddy devours them all for her.” Carlee exposed the truth and reminded Sapphire of the previous speaker’s name.
“She’s right. I’m a wimp,” Remi agreed.
“Daddy? You’re not….” Sapphire didn’t want to label them with something they weren’t.
“Little? I can only talk about myself. I am. Kade’s my Daddy. He’s the biker with the most tattoos. I love yours. Does this mean something?” Remi said, skillfully changing the subject as she pointed to a sun design on Sapphire’s inner wrist.
“That’s my everlasting summer. I didn’t enjoy school much when I was a kid. Well, nothing other than art class and then art school later on. I designed that one when I graduated from high school to celebrate that I didn’t have to struggle anymore,” Sapphire told her.
“School can be hard,” Carlee agreed. “My Daddy is so good with numbers. He’s an accountant.”