Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 36407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“She doesn’t want to see the sights.”
“Actually, I’d love to. I’d like to see where you grew up.”
He glanced behind him. “Fine. Fine.”
“Caleb, get her coffee,” Louise said.
“She can get her own coffee.”
“I didn’t raise you to be an ass. Get her a coffee.”
“Fine. Fine.” He grabbed another mug and hoped she didn’t mind it being black with no sugar. His parents hadn’t gotten his non-dairy milk, and this was how he had coffee until they did.
With cups in hand, she opened the back door and they headed out into the cold morning air.
“You made the bed,” she said.
“Yes, I did. It’s what all civilized types do.”
She chuckled. “I didn’t mean it like that. I know you make your own bed back in the penthouse. What do you like so much about being clean?”
“Besides the obvious?”
“There’s clean and then there’s your exacting standards. For instance, I’m only requested to clean your domain, right? I’ve been told multiple times my only job is to see you’re happy. Most cleaners have multiple places and homes to take care of. I only have to deal with you.”
“You should be thanking me then.”
She laughed. “You’re impossible. Are you going to answer my question?”
“I guess I just like clean space.” He shrugged and sipped at his coffee. “I never really thought about why I do a certain thing. If my home is tidy, then I can think.”
“It’s not a problem or anything. I happen to enjoy cleaning your space. Mondays are the worst. A weekend’s worth of dust.”
“You’re mocking me now.”
“A little bit.”
She sipped at her coffee and winced.
“Don’t like it?”
“It’s fine. I like a little splash of milk, but it’s fine.”
“I know.”
“It has to be non-dairy milk.”
“Again, I know. You drink the same as me.”
“You noticed?”
“Yeah, and I also noticed you only took food that I ate.”
She chuckled. “If you’ve got something to ask, ask it.”
“Are you a vegan?”
“I am. Have been for a little while now.”
“Why?”
“I guess you can say because of you,” she said.
“How?”
“The food you eat. I went and did some research and knew it was healthier for you. Admittedly, I do like to snack a lot, but it has been fun. I like a challenge and the food is amazing.”
“Well, I had no idea I was such an influence on you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“I won’t. Come on. Let me take you on the tour of the grounds.” He showed her everything from the tennis court to the swimming pool. His parents also had a track. It was on the smaller side. They were surrounded by fences and privacy.
“This is like every kid’s dream rolled into one. This wasn’t where you spent a lot of time though, was it?” she asked.
“No. Don’t get me wrong, my parents were wealthy by the time I came along. Dad, when he sets his sights on something, nothing is going to stop him. When he saw this plot of land, he worked to make it the family home it is today. They’d hoped for more children but after Cassie, there were complications and well, he’d always hoped for grandkids.”
“And you’re getting on a bit.”
“Don’t be cheeky.”
She chuckled.
He loved that sound. It was so natural, sweet, and charming.
Pushing the comparisons from his mind of the women he’d dated and how they’d always laughed to draw attention, he started to head back to the main house. “I think it’s time we had some breakfast, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I’m starved.”
His father was waiting on the back porch, watching them.
Caleb nodded at his father, taking the cup from her as he walked into the kitchen.
“Excellent timing. I’ve got everything ready,” his mother said.
“Great.”
He watched his father and Lauren talk. She didn’t have any makeup on. The clothes she wore weren’t overly tight either. Three-quarter-length pants, a plain white shirt. She hadn’t pinned up her hair either and the long locks fell around her.
She looked like an angel.
“I’d be careful, son, there’s a bit of drool on your lips,” his mother said.
He laughed, but of course, his focus was once again on the woman who would be writing a check after this weekend. He expected it to be a pretty big one, seeing as he was going to surprise her Monday morning.
****
They had family events.
Dressed in a pair of shorts and one of Caleb’s shirts, Lauren stood on the tennis court, terrified. She didn’t play tennis. She didn’t do sports unless it was swimming, and she let Cassie know this.
“Don’t worry, we’re not going to eat you alive. Mom and Dad just love to show off about this.”
“They do?”
“Yep. I think they get a kick out of making us mere mortals feeling less than them. They’re amazing. They’re a team, in case you haven’t noticed,” Cassie said.
“I have. They clearly love each other.”
“Yes, it’s so gross. Even after all this time, they can’t keep their hands off each other.”