Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
My entire personality has become ‘I miss Jack.’ When I saw Caylee for coffee after I got off work one morning, she said I seem sad.
“Are you upset about that bar guy?” she asks so innocently.
“Nah, he was just for fun. And when it quit being fun, I stopped,” I say.
“Good for you!” she says, “Get the O’s and dump the bros!”
“Is that a thing people say?” I ask, flummoxed.
“Let’s make it a thing!” she crows with laughter. “I think I’m gonna pass this time around, thanks to those notes you gave me.”
“You better. I know you’ve got it in you. You should try the online stuff like I’m doing. It’s got lab simulations and stuff. The clinical experience is in a few weeks, and I’m excited for that.”
“You are the only person who would ever be excited to be up at the ass crack of dawn to meet whatever old bitch nurse they’re gonna pair you up with so you can start taking notes and scrubbing bed pans.”
“I used to work as a CNA remember? I cleaned my share of bed pans, and the urine hats too.”
“Yeah, I won’t be taking a job like that anytime soon. Maybe if it works out with Jameson, I won’t have to work at all.”
“Ooh, is it that serious already?” I ask.
“Not really, but I want it to be. He took me in the VIP section of a club the other night, the one I texted you the picture of.”
“That was so pretty. It looked like it was all red velvet and candles.”
“And bottle service and only about ten people allowed back there at a time.”
“Wow,” I say, trying to stay bright and excited for her.
“I sat on his lap, and we drank and listened to the music and people watched. It was so romantic.”
“Sounds like it,” I said, hoping for her sake that this wasn’t the best part of the relationship.
“I don’t know if I lost count of my shots or what, but I was so wild that night!” she giggles a little nervous. I drink my tea and wait for her to go on. “I totally went down on him in the VIP room. Is that bad or what?”
“There were other people there?” I ask, my voice a little high. She nods.
“I know, I don’t know what got into me, but it was just a sexy night, and I felt all loose and warm—and when he asked me for it, I thought, why not?”
I nod a little like I’m trying to be encouraging, “As long as it was what you want to do, go for it. Was it fun?”
“It was WILD,” she says again, her cheerfulness feeling a little forced.
“Okay,” I say, “Did you feel uncomfortable about it after?”
“Yeah, and a little bit during, like I wished he’d just hurry up, you know. I think he liked holding out so I had to do it longer. Plus, he probably didn’t want to look like he couldn’t last very long in front of the other people there.”
My heart goes out to her, and I pull her into a hug. “Maye don’t go out with him again,” I whisper.
“No, he’s great! We’re going to this club opening tomorrow night—he knows everybody who’s anybody. I think this could really get serious between us,” she says.
“Did you tell him that you don’t want to do that again?” I ask, knowing the answer.
“That would be so weird. It was just a spontaneous thing when we were partying. He isn’t going to expect that every time.”
“Okay,” I say. “I know I sound like an old woman, but make sure he wants you for you and not because he thinks he can get head at a club whenever he wants it.”
“God, you’re not my mom!” she says, sounding annoyed but her eyes look hurt. I want to hug her again, but I know not to.
“I want you to be okay and happy, Cay,” I offer. “Have fun and send me a pic, okay? I’ll be working the cash register while you’re off partying.” She shrugs at my lame attempt at apology but doesn’t walk out.
We talk a few more minutes, and I’m reassured she’s not suspicious about my recent ex. I just don’t want to leave any loose ends and wind up with Jack finding out about the pregnancy I’m hiding.
20
JACK
“Don’t waste time on this. The cargo needs to be moved tonight,” I tell Louie.
“I know that man, but the only way to get it to the drop is across Carbini’s docks.”
“I’ve got a call in to Vinny. He’s supposed to call me back. His secretary gave me the runaround. Once he gives us the okay to cross his territory, we move,” I say.
“What are the odds he’s gonna sign off on that?” Lynette asks.
“About sixty-forty. We’ve been in a truce for what? Almost two years? I don’t see him throwing that out to be petty. We keep to our borders and show respect. No point in getting stupid about it. I’m asking his indulgence on this one shipment because the buyer got antsy and wants the drop on the other side of town. He’s a businessman like me, and I don’t think he’s gonna act unreasonable.”