Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“Dylan and I,” she parroted, “want to invite Fallon to come with us to Grandma and Grandpa’s this weekend.”
He shut the dishwasher door and turned to see their overly angelic faces. Wide eyes, earnest looks. He sighed and before he automatically answered no, he decided to give it some thought. “Tell you what. You two go take your showers or baths and I’ll let you know when I come tuck you in later. Sound good?”
“Yes, Daddy. We miss her.” And on that proclamation, they rushed out of the kitchen, their voices too low for him to hear.
As he sprayed the table and finished cleaning, his thoughts went to Fallon, the girls, and Charlie. They told him they spoke to their mom, showed her the paintings they’d made, and mentioned their mom had a lot of questions about the woman who’d given them the lesson. No doubt because they’d chattered nonstop about Fallon.
Fallon, who gave the twins her time. Who had patience and understanding while their mom was out of the country. He put away the bottle, tossed the rag in the laundry area off the kitchen, and walked into the living room and sat down.
Did he want to take Fallon to his family and deal with all that would signal to his parents and siblings? He glanced out the window to the darkening evening sky, as always, appreciating the glittering lights from other buildings and apartments around the city. Looking outside always helped center him after a crazy day and let him think. And the fact was, he didn’t have to think long. His feelings for Fallon were real and growing. He couldn’t deny them if he wanted to.
When he’d seen her walk into the diner, his entire body had responded and not just in a sexual way, though that was a given. Seeing her had lightened his mood—until he’d hurt her feelings—and the warmth in his chest wasn’t the typical reaction to a female he was friendly or worked with.
He no longer wanted to push his feelings—or her—away. If he invited her to his folks’, it was a casual family dinner. Nothing to send himself or her into a panic.
He and the girls wanted to spend time with her. He could make it that simple. It was that simple, he told himself, aware he was falling harder with every lie he spun.
Pushing himself to his feet, he strode toward the bedrooms to make sure the twins had begun their nightly routine. And to let them know he’d made his decision.
Chapter Nine
Fallon was having a crappy day. Her siblings were getting together for lunch at Remy’s bar and she’d had to cancel because she was alone at the gallery. Sylvie’s cold had lingered and turned into a bad case of the flu and Clara had called her, saying she wasn’t feeling up to coming to work today. The art studio had a late afternoon class booked and instead of a slow gallery day, the store was more busy than usual.
With Clara so ill, Fallon was going to have to bring up the idea of hiring another sales associate or someone full time who wanted to teach the classes. All Fallon knew was she’d been running herself ragged.
Lunchtime arrived and she knew there was no way she could take a break. Thank goodness she was able to drink the coffee their machine brewed.
During a free minute, she took a sip and moaned her delight, just as the door opened and a man with a tall ladder strode in. “Great,” she muttered, placing her cup down and striding over. “Karl, I expected you this morning,” she said to the electrician.
“Sorry. We had an emergency. All hands on deck. What can I do for you and Clara?” he asked. “The boss said something about a flickering light?”
She nodded. “Over that sculpture.” She pointed to the metal piece on a podium in the center of the gallery. “Be careful!” she called as he headed in that direction. “Watch out for the customers,” she said under her breath and rushed over to where a young couple were attempting to get a better look at their newest item, which was why they’d centered it under that particular light.
“Hi. Can I show you some of this artist’s other work? Just until the light is fixed,” she explained, drawing them away so Karl could place the ladder.
Thirty minutes later, she was wondering how she’d ever have time to set up the party room for the class when the door opened and a welcome distraction walked inside.
Noah was dressed in his usual shirt and tie but he left his jacket at the office. Instead, his sleeves were rolled, revealing his muscular forearms, and she was glad for the warmer weather today. She didn’t have much time but she’d find some for him.