Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
He rushes out the rest. “All right, well, have a good night and be safe. Love you, babe.”
I’m about to tell him I love him too when I hear the phone click.
I quietly put my phone back in the purse, and Jilly is the first one to speak. “See, we’re good.”
I nod and cross my arms over my chest. “Yep, we’re good.”
I’m not sure what I expected, but I did think that maybe just maybe he’d be a little more surprised or protective of me. I let the thought linger for just a minute, and then I push it aside. Beau and I are good. We’re good, and this is just a night out. I’m glad he trusts me.
When we get to the hotel, Chloe pulls in right up front where the valet parking is. We all pile out of her car, and I tug at the too-short skirt I’m wearing. Jilly told me to dress up—heck, she showed up at my house with this outfit as a gift. How could I tell her no?
“So where is the restaurant?” I ask one of the men working the valet.
He points toward the front doors. “Through there and then down the hallway.”
We walk into the lobby, and I gasp as I look around. I’ve never been in this hotel before, and it is amazing. I twirl on my heels, looking at the grand ceiling. Everything is in gold and black, even the extra long and wide couches that are spaced around the beautiful greenery. “Wow.”
Jilly comes up to me and puts her hand on my chin. “Close your mouth.”
I laugh and look around. “Do you blame me? This is nice.”
She loops her arm in mine. “Yes, it is. Come on, our reservation isn’t for another hour. Let’s go to the bar.”
“The bar?” I ask her uneasily. I don’t know why I feel so weird about all this, but I do.
Chloe, Olivia, and Abby all come to a stop next to us. “Yep, the bar. Let’s go.”
We walk out of the lobby, and we’re immediately seated at a table toward the back of the bar. We each take turns ordering, and I’m the last to go. “I’ll just take a water, please.”
Jilly rolls her eyes. “She’ll have a Peachy Keen.”
I wait for the server to walk away. “If you all are drinking, I need to stay sober. Someone has to drive.”
Olivia is digging in her purse. “Nope. Not since we’re staying at the hotel.”
I jerk my head toward her. “What? I’m not staying here.”
Jilly leans toward me. “Calm down, Nat.” She starts to mumble, and I know I didn’t hear her right.
I spurt out a laugh. “Did you just call me high maintenance?”
She rolls her eyes. “If the shoe fits.”
I put my hands up on the table. “Look, it’s no big deal. I didn’t plan on staying all night. I’ll just get Beau to come get me later. No biggie.”
I reach for my purse to get my phone out, and Jilly grabs my hand. She gestures over my shoulder. “Uh oh, don’t look now, but there’s a man behind you, and he looks like he’s completely checking you out.”
I snort and try to pull my phone up to dial Beau. “You can have him.”
Jilly grabs the phone. “I dunno if you’re going to want to pass him up. He looks hot… and rich.”
I shrug, and all of them are staring at me with smiles on their faces. “Like I said, you can have him.”
Jilly rolls her eyes. “You at least have to check him out.”
I hold my hand up with my wedding ring on it. “No, I don’t. I’m happily married. I don’t need to ‘check him out.’”
Jilly lifts her shoulder. “Just look at him.”
I shake my head. “Nope, I don’t want to give him the wrong idea. I’m good, really. One of you have at it.”
Olivia leans forward. “Oh God have mercy, Nat. Turn around. I’m begging you, please just turn around.”
I look at all my friends, who are all staring at me with weird smiles on their face. I slowly turn in my seat and look over my shoulder… and my mouth drops. “What?”
Jilly squeezes my hand and lets go of my phone. “Go ahead, Momma Nat. We’re going to dinner and staying the night at the hotel, so you won’t have to worry about us. Go get your man.”
Speechless, I get up from my seat and make my way across the bar. As I look at him, I can feel my heart start to race. He’s in a suit and tie, and when he turns toward me, he’s wearing all black from head to toe. I stop next to him and stutter, “Beau, what are you doing here? I mean, I’m glad you’re here… but what’s going on?”
He lifts his drink up and takes a sip. The whole time he does, he slowly lifts his eyes to my face and then gazes down the length of my body. Desire is evident on his face. When his eyes meet mine again, his voice is low and husky. “Hey, I saw you walk in. You’re beautiful.” He holds out his hand as if he wants me to take it. “I’m Beau Blaze.”