Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“We had a look at her first thing this morning, and I’m sorry to say, the whole drive shaft is shot. That’s the real issue. It’s going to take over a week to get one in. The front driver tire also needs to be replaced, and the rim isn’t looking so healthy.”
What’s wrong with me that the sharp heat I feel isn’t just instant annoyance? It might also be the slightest bit of warm relief. “That’s fine.” It’s probably just because I want to settle this for good, and if Nina is here, then it’s easier. We’ll use this week to figure things out, and then we’ll never have to see each other again. “You can order it. I’ll pay for everything it needs.”
“Thanks, will do. Have a great day.”
“You too.”
Nina is leaning forward so eagerly that it looks like she’s going to tip right over. I try not to notice how adorable she looks with her hair all wavy and clean, her clothes washed from yesterday, and wearing those terrible, scary flip-flops because she doesn’t have anything else at the moment. But really, it’s her smile that makes her adorable. Not the way her clothes fit her curves just right, the few flecks of cinnamon dotted over her nose, or the glistening shine of hopefulness in her eyes.
I can’t tell if this endless optimism of hers is wearing thin or wearing me down. Was it really just yesterday that she showed up? It feels like it’s been eight million centuries.
“Is everything okay?”
“Your car is basically pooched, but I told them to go ahead and fix it. I’ll pay for the repairs. It’s going to be at least a week.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that!”
“Yes, I do. If I ever want you out of here, I do.” Those orange monstrosities, which are more poo-brown now, are taunting me with their grime, I swear. “I think we had better go shopping to get you some new shoes. And some clothes.”
“Oh, well, is the car here? I could get my bag and phone out of it. That would be great.”
“Yeah, that’s right. I should have thought of that.”
She reaches out and pats my hand, sending a shower of sparks racing up my arm. “You were too intent on getting rid of me to think about the necessities. It’s alright. As long as we don’t come to town again, I can just wear your clothes.”
Christ. My dick is suddenly hard as a rod in my jeans. Not cool, not in public, not in anywhere. I have no idea why the thought of her wearing my clothes is…umm…hot?
“No. No, we should definitely go and get your stuff. Do you need your bag and phone?”
She thinks about it for a few seconds before answering, “I don’t know. Maybe it’s better that my phone stays off. My parents know where I am. They know I’m safe. They probably think this is the best-case scenario. Like your grandma and mom, they’re hoping we do the most cliched thing and go from people who don’t even like each other to discovering that we’re surprisingly chemically compatible, to friends with benefits, to wanting to get married.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m just saying. I don’t need to hear it from them. I want to make my own decision.”
“I’m not going to marry you just so your grandparents don’t disown your parents.”
“And I’m not going to marry you so your grandparents don’t disown your parents. Or so they don’t buy the land right next to yours and spy on you and drive you crazy.”
My own assholish-ness sounds so much worse when it’s being parroted back at me. “Is there anything you can’t replace?”
“No. I packed in two minutes and got the heck out of there. I ended up grabbing stupid stuff, but you don’t have to take me shopping.”
“You’re right. I’m not going to.” I whip out one of my credit cards. “You’re going to take yourself while I get a coffee. And for the love of chickens, get yourself some decent shoes. Those things need to be exorcised and burned.”
She wiggles her toes in the monstrous muddy flip-flops. “Duh! Never!”
“You had best keep them hidden away then. If I see them again after today, they’re going on the bonfire or getting fed to Herman Merman.”
“Hmph.” She scoffs but accepts my credit card. “Do I have a limit?”
“Just get enough that you don’t have to wear my clothes.”
“Should I order a spare bed for your house too? So you don’t have to sleep in the barn?”
“Maybe I was being dramatic.” I give a caveman-like shrug. I clearly woke up on the wrong side of the hay pile this morning, while Nina looks as shiny and undaunted as ever. Breakfast clearly didn’t disagree with her. “I can sleep on the couch.” Even if knowing Little Miss Rainbow Farts and Sunshine Smiles is in my bed and the weird pinch in my chest that gives me, it’s probably something archaic making a comeback. The start of a summer cold. Or indigestion from sheep cheese. Kidding. Sheep cheese is great for the belly.