Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
I shook my head, disbelieving. “I haven’t had this in over a decade.”
Her sapphire eyes twinkled. “Then you better eat it while it’s still warm and the cheese is perfectly melted.”
I took a big bite, moaning at the perfectly gooey cheese and salty ham. The bread was soft, perfectly toasted around the edges. “Thanks, Tor.”
“You’re welcome, honeybuns.” She winked, laughter bubbling from her. “What’s up?”
I filled her in on my chat with the mayor and the week-long Valentine’s Day festivities. “It’s all part of some effort to make the younger folks want to stay here.”
“I had no idea.” She sighed, leaning back. “This means I’m taking up an entire week of your leave. I’m sorry.” She reached out, placing her hand on mine. “We can stage a breakup right now.”
“Not necessary.” I turned my hand over, gripping hers. “Don’t apologize. I can think of worse ways to spend a week than doing silly fun things with a beautiful woman.” I’d spent plenty of weeks doing necessary but grim things with my less-than-beautiful teammates.
Torey laughed. “Wait, you think I’m beautiful?”
My brows furrowed. Was she serious? “Of course I do. I have eyes, don’t I?” I let my gaze roam over her, taking in the sight of her in the fitted bakery t-shirt. “Who would’ve thought the scrawny kid who practically lived at my house would grow up so nicely?”
She rolled her eyes, but a blush colored her cheeks. “Thanks. I think.”
“Well, well, if it isn’t the happy couple.” Nix stood over our table, arms folded, smirking. I couldn’t tell how she felt about her brother dating her best friend. “You two are all the town can talk about.”
“You weren’t going to mention the week of activities, were you?” I asked.
Nix shrugged. “I thought it would be more fun this way.”
“Why?” Torey almost shouted, then lowered her voice. “That would’ve changed everything.”
“Would it?” Nix shrugged again. “Like I said, more fun.” She squeezed my shoulder, then Torey’s, before walking away.
“We need a plan,” Torey said, slightly frantic. “We need to spend more time together, get to know each other better. If the Brigade suspects anything, we’ll both be in blind date hell until you go back to your Army gig, and then it’ll be just me in hell.”
She was adorably flustered, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling. I studied her while finishing my sandwich—my favorite sandwich. Then I stood, unable to take my eyes off her. “Thanks for the sandwich.”
“You’re welcome,” she sighed.
“I’ll pick you up later. When are you done here?”
Her brows knitted. “Four.”
“Perfect.” I leaned down, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
Chapter 7
Torey
Iwas going on a date with Ryan—not a real one, of course, but we had to sell it as real. This meant my obsessing over what to wear was perfectly justifiable. I took stock of what was in my closet and whittled it down to three options that didn’t make me look like I was trying too hard or a hobo. The red strapless dress was too much for any first date, especially a fake one. Jeans seemed too casual, which meant I settled on a pair of black leather pants paired with a soft white cropped sweater, finishing off the look with fire engine red lips and spiky stilettos. My hair was in soft waves and I looked…good.
I had enough confidence to pull it off, which meant tonight would be good. We just needed to get reacquainted with each other, get to know each other for real. That was it. No romance, no flirting, no sparks of any kind.
Just a fake date.
For a fake relationship.
A crisp knock sounded, and my heart raced even though I told it not to. I hurried to open the door. “Hey.” My throat was dry and my hands were slightly damp as it took in the sight of Ryan in dark jeans and a black shirt that was slightly open at the chest. The scent of his cologne wafted in my direction, making my knees go a little weak. “You clean up nice. Very nice.” That throaty sound wasn’t me. Was it?
Ryan continued to stare, his mouth slightly open, appreciation darkening his gaze as it traveled from my stilettos back up to my face. “Wow, Torey, you look incredible.”
I felt that compliment all the way down to my toes. “Incredible? I like it.”
“Yeah, me too.” There was no mistaking the heat in his gravelly voice. “Ready?”
I nodded and reached back for my red clutch and my coat before I accepted his hand. “I am. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” The teasing glint in his eyes was absolutely contagious.
“So you’re a man who likes surprises. This date is already off to a good start. What else?”
“I love a woman in leather pants, especially when she fills them out so fantastically.” He opened the door to his truck and helped me inside, which gave me a few uninterrupted seconds to enjoy the way he filled out his jeans, not to mention the way the scruff only enhanced his sex appeal.