Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Kieve growls as soon as he sees Silas, making me groan. He hates our neighbor.
"Behave," I warn him, pulling into the carport. "You can't just bite him every time he comes over, Kieve. It's rude."
Kieve gives me the side-eye, which I assume means mind my fluffing business.
I kill the engine and collect my bag and Kieve. By the time I reach for the door handle, Callum is already at my side, holding out a hand to help me out.
"Give me your stuff, Firefly," he says. "I'll carry it."
"I've got it."
"Firefly."
I huff and reluctantly hand it over, knowing arguing won't get me anywhere. He's bossy and he's a gentleman. It's an odd combination. I think I like it.
"Who's the douche on the porch?"
"Callum!" I hiss, shooting him a death glare when he says it loudly, as if to ensure Silas hears him.
"Answer the question, baby."
"Silas Wembley. He's my neighbor."
Callum grunts. "He come around a lot?"
"Sometimes," I lie, avoiding his gaze while I shove the door closed.
"Right." He waits for me to close the door, then follows me around the side of the house toward the front porch, walking so close I practically feel the tension radiating from him with every step.
"Howdy, neighbor." Silas jogs down the steps to meet us. He has a bright smile pasted on his face, but it doesn't quite reflect in his dark gaze as he looks Callum over. "I didn't realize you were going to have company today."
"Hi, Silas," I say, annoyed at the subtle chastisement in his tone, as if I did something wrong by not alerting him to my every move. "I didn't know you were coming over unannounced again."
"Presumptuous prick," Callum mutters under his breath.
Kieve barks once as if in agreement.
"Here, Firefly. Let me have him." Callum scoops him from my arms without waiting for my response. Naturally, Kieve doesn't bark or growl or snap at him. He and Callum are fast friends already. They glare at Silas together.
Silas stares at Kieve, the same bright smile pasted on his face. Irritated lines appear around his eyes though, making it clear he's jealous Kieve has taken to Callum but wants nothing to do with him. Silas can be…odd. Like a wounded deer. He never says anything, but he gets his feelings hurt easily. "The little guy finally made a friend, huh?"
"He knows who he can trust." Callum scratches Kieve's head.
"I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name."
"Didn't give it," Callum mutters, making it clear what he thinks about Silas with those three words. His gaze rolls over my neighbor and then he snorts before looking at me. "Do you want me to start dinner, baby?"
"Baby?" Silas says. "I didn't realize you were seeing anyone, Hope."
I'm going to murder Callum Carmichael. Slowly. Right after I kiss that smirk off his face. What? No. No, I am not kissing him.
"Silas, this is Callum Carmichael. Callum, Silas Wembley."
"Carmichael. You any relation to Cormac Carmichael?" Silas asks.
"Cousin."
"Good man," Silas says. "It's nice to meet you."
"Yeah," Callum agrees without returning the sentiment. He doesn't offer his hand to shake, either. He clearly does not like Silas at all.
"Good to know she'll have someone over here to watch out for her with everything going on," Silas says. "I know I'll sleep better at night knowing she's not out here alone and defenseless."
"Do you lose a lot of sleep thinking about her?" Callum growls.
Oh, good grief.
"It's been a long day, Silas," I quickly interject before he can answer. "Did you need something?"
"Your labels were delivered to my house again." His smile returns, brighter than ever. "I took the box out to your shop for you like the last one."
Again? That's the third one in a row. I don't know why the delivery service can't seem to get the address right. It's not like it isn't clearly printed on my mailbox and the house.
"Thank you," I sigh. "I'll call the carrier again tomorrow and try to get it sorted out again."
"It's not a problem."
Callum grunts.
I elbow him in the ribs this time.
"Well, I'll let you two get inside to your dinner." Silas glances from me to Callum. "If you need anything, Hope, you know where to find me."
"Thanks."
He steps around us, his boots thumping against the sidewalk as he takes off for his property. I wait until he's out of earshot to spin around to face Callum.
"Are you insane?" I whisper-hiss, glaring at him. "You can't just tell people that we're dating!"
"I didn't tell him that. He assumed." He smirks at me, his emerald eyes glowing with satisfaction. "And you didn't correct the assumption, Firefly."
"You…I…"
"You don't like him."
"He's fine."
"You want to rephrase that?" Callum growls, his smirk slipping as his voice deepens.
"What?" I gape at him for a moment, not sure what the heck he's talking about, and then it dawns on me and I roll my eyes. "I mean he's fine as a person, Callum. Jeez. I'm not attracted to him."