Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“He’s demanding, and he seems to think he gets to boss me around and that he’ll always get his own way.” Whoa. She’d just really blurted that all out, huh?
“Uh-huh, I get you, girlfriend. Alejandro is the same. But what you’ve got to realize is that they might think they’re in charge, but you have the power.”
Faith gave her a doubting look. She didn’t think she had any power.
“You do. Because, ultimately, they want you to be happy. Sure, they like to be in control, but they just want you safe and settled, because that makes them happy. Pick your battles. Sometimes, you’ve got to give a little to get something back. If there’s something you really don’t like, then you just have to change it. But like, subtly, and stuff. I’m not good at that part yet.”
Faith was kind of confused. Did she have any power?
Yeah, no. She didn’t see it.
“Also, we should be grateful. My friend, Immy . . . well, let’s just say that I’m glad I only have one man to deal with.”
What did that mean?
“I have to pee. Come with me.” Cat stood. Alejandro had left to talk to someone a few minutes ago, giving Cat a firm order to stay.
Faith knew the girl code, so she stood as well.
Reuben reached up and grabbed her hand instantly. “Where do you think you are going?”
“Cat has to pee.”
He raised his eyebrows. “And that means that you have to go?”
“Girl code.” That was all she said, and she had to hold back a smile as he gave her an impatient look.
“Girl code? Meaning you have to go too?” Reuben asked
“Yep, girl code.” Cat leaned into her. “And I really have to go.”
“I’ll go with you,” Reuben said, standing.
“You don’t have to, we’ll be fine,” she said with a small frown.
“Yeah, I can protect Faith,” Cat said. “Rafael has been teaching me self-defense.”
“Um, we’re just going to the bathroom,” Faith said.
“You’re having trouble walking tonight. I’ll escort you there and back. Besides, Alejandro will not want you just wandering off.” That last part had been aimed at Cat, who just shrugged.
“I’m not having trouble walking,” Faith protested. “I just can’t walk in these shoes.”
“Your shoes?” he asked.
“Yeah. They’ve got a heel. I can’t walk in heels.”
“Then take them off,” Reuben told her.
Take them off? Like she could just do that?
“I can’t walk around without shoes on.”
Reuben frowned. “True. The floor is probably filthy, especially in the bathroom. I’ll have Steven go out and get you something to wear. What would you like? Sneakers?”
Sneakers? Was he for real right now?
“I can’t wear sneakers with this dress.”
“Yes, you can. I don’t like the idea of you in uncomfortable shoes.”
“Aww, while this conversation is really sweet, I’m about to do the pee dance,” Cat complained.
Shoot.
“Reuben,” she said firmly. “I’m fine in these shoes.”
Pick your battles. Sometimes, you’ve got to give a little to get something back.
“But I would appreciate you helping me to the bathroom.”
“Good job,” Cat fake-whispered.
Dear Lord.
Reuben gave them a suspicious look, but then wrapped his arm around her waist. Then he held his crooked arm out to Cat, who took it with a giggle.
After they’d come back from the bathroom, Alejandro rejoined them.
“Take off your shoes while you’re sitting down,” Reuben commanded.
“I can’t.”
“Do you need me to do it for you?” he asked calmly.
But she knew a threat when she heard one. She slid off her shoes. Ahh, the relief was instant.
Reuben grabbed her leg and put it over his thigh. She tensed, but then the food was served.
Reuben was right. It was crap.
The emcee got up on stage and started talking. She tried to pay attention, but he was boring, and Reuben kept touching her. He’d pushed her dress up to the top of her thighs and his hand was now rubbing along her inner thigh.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a low voice.
“Eat your steak. You need the iron.”
“I do not.” What would he know about what she needed?
“Of course you do. Your period is due next week. Women need iron during their period.”
Dear Lord.
What was happening right now?
“You can’t . . . you can’t know that,” she told him.
“Why not?” he asked.
“B-because you just can’t!” She leaned in closer. “How would you know when my period is?”
“Because I’m very observant. I know that you get very pale, tired, and grouchy.”
“I do not!” How dare he!
Although she remembered how Matt would make excuses to stay away from her during her period. It had taken her a while to figure that out. And then she’d felt horrible that he stayed away for a few days each month.
Was she that horrible?
Was she the asshole?
Of course you are. You were so awful to be around that he avoided you.
Awesome. Something else to add to the Faith-is-a-problem chart.
“This is so embarrassing.”