Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“I’m here.” He pulls me to sit up. I don’t want to fall asleep. It would be a waste of whatever time we have left.
“I want to put a lock on your door before…” He trails off.
“Before you leave,” I finish for him. I can’t help the sudden feeling of disappointment that fills me even though I know it’s ridiculous.
“I’ll be back.” I nod. I want to believe him, but it’s hard. When my mom left, she’d said the same thing. That she’d be back. I haven’t seen her since.
“The hardware store isn’t far.” I stand. “I’ll get dressed,” I say, needing a moment alone to get myself together.
I head to my bedroom and find a pair of jean shorts and shirt to slip into. I pull my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head before I wash my face. I wipe it with a towel, catching sight of Dylan standing behind me in the bathroom mirror. He towers over me.
“You’re beautiful.” He wraps his arm around me from behind. I tilt my head to the side when he leans down, knowing he wants to kiss my neck. I’m already reading him so easily. Normally I’m good at reading people, but he throws me for a loop here and there. I might be naive but I believed him when he told me he’d never been with anyone. But I do know there is something he’s keeping from me. It has to connect to whatever reason he’s never been with a woman.
“You’re not too bad-looking yourself.” I turn in his arms. I drop my head back and close my eyes. He gives me the silent kiss I’m asking for before we head out.
“You mind?” Dylan snags one of the Get Lucky merch hats we have. There are only a few different items: two shirts, a sweater, and some hats.
“Nope.” He puts the hat on, pulling it low. I unlock and relock the door to the bar. His hand takes mine as we stroll down the sidewalk toward the hardware store. A few people stop and stare our way. I squeeze Dylan’s hand. “Ignore them. They’re only wondering whose hand I might be holding. Small-town stuff.”
I’m sure they’ll all be whispering about it. I wouldn’t even be shocked if someone sneaks a picture and posts it in the Facebook group for our town. That place is gossip central from my understanding. It’s why I stay off social media. My bar is enough gossip for me. James has told me a few juicy fights that have happened in that group though.
“Clover!” Brian calls my name as we enter the hardware store. “Oh.” His eyes drift up and down Dylan, checking him out. I’m sure James mentioned that I’d let a man stay after closing down last night. Brian cocks his head to the side as he continues studying him. Dylan beats me to introductions.
“You must be Brian. James' partner.” Dylan holds his hand out to him. Brian takes it. I guess Dylan does listen to everything I say. “I need to get Irish here a lock for the door to her apartment.”
“You don’t have a lock on it?” Brian’s attention swings back to me.
“There is a lock on the bar.” I defend myself because I can already see where this is going.
“What if someone snuck up there while you were working and was waiting for you?”
“That’s exactly what I said,” Dylan says. At least he isn’t smug about it. I elbow him in the side. He pretends I hurt his abs by grunting.
“I think you’re okay.” I pat his side. My fingers linger for a moment. Soon he won’t be here for me to touch when I want. “Get me a lock. I’m going to see how good Dylan is with his hands.” I wiggle my brows.
“And the blows keep coming.” He teases me back.
“I’ve got one in mind. Let me grab it.” Brian heads off toward the back of the store.
“Amy.” I nod when she enters the hardware store.
“Hi, Clover.” She tries to eye up Dylan, but he shifts to give her his side as he wraps his arm around me to pull me into him. I melt into him.
I peek up at Dylan through my eyelashes, wondering how long it will take to install a lock on my door. My time with him is ticking away. I don’t want to have any regrets. I want to get as much of him as I can before he’s gone.
CHAPTER 11
DYLAN
The new girl eyes me up. A flicker of recognition appears in her eyes, sending a spiral of unease down my spine. I tug the hat down farther and turn toward the back where Brian disappeared. Hopefully he’ll be back soon with the lock, and we can get out of here.