Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“Like a date?” Telford asks.
I’m just as curious as he is about that, although I shouldn’t be. If Rook is on a date that means he’s interested in a woman, and that works in my favor since I want him to forget my virgin confession.
Posey scratches her cheek. “That’s my guess.”
Even though it’s what I want, my heart sinks a touch.
Telford shoots me a look before he acknowledges Posey’s response. “It makes sense. He’s really something to look at. Women must line up to date him.”
She laughs a little. “You should see his brother.”
I have.
Milo, Rook’s brother, has been in a few of the pictures Rook has posted on his social media accounts. One of the two of them, shirtless on a beach in East Hampton, short-circuited my brain for an entire day.
Two tanned torsos and that many rock hard abs were a lot for me.
“What does he look like?” Telford asks.
“He’s not nearly as good-looking as I am.” An achingly familiar voice comes from the open doorway behind us.
Seriously? Did Rook overhear yet another awkward conversation that I’m a part of?
“Hey, boss.” Posey raises her hand in greeting. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in my eye, Milo is a smidge better looking than you.”
Not in my eye.
A hearty laugh fills the room as footsteps sound behind me. “Noted, Posey.”
“Hi, Rook,” Telford joins in the chorus of greeting Rook.
I steel myself to do the same just as I catch sight of him rounding me.
Seeing Telford in a suit earlier filled me with pride, but seeing Rook in a navy suit with a white button-down shirt that’s open at the collar hits me in a very different way.
“Carrie.” That’s all he says as his gaze rakes over me.
I’m suddenly grateful to be wearing the blue short-sleeved sweater I put on this morning. It’s thick enough that he can’t see that my nipples have hardened into peaks underneath it.
“Hi, Rook,” I manage to say in an even tone.
“Hi.” He flashes me a megawatt smile, and my heart skips a beat.
“I thought you had dinner plans.” Posey steals his attention away from me.
“I do.” He glances at her briefly before his gaze is back on me. “With my brother, as a matter of fact.”
“With Milo?” Posey asks with a nervous giggle. “Don’t tell him I think he’s hot, Rook.”
He doesn’t flinch. His eyes stay locked on mine as he responds to her with words that feel destined for me. “Your secret is safe with me.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Rook
I walk into the restaurant fifteen minutes late to find my brother immersed in a conversation with a woman with long black hair at the bar.
Leave it to Miles to find a way to entertain himself while he waited for me.
I debated telling him that Posey is crushing on him, but she doesn’t need the heartache that comes with dating a guy like him.
I love my brother, but he’s still stuck in the cycle I was in before Kirby was born.
Chesca and I weren’t exclusive until she told me she was pregnant. Up to that point, I sampled the best of what this city had to offer. I spent a lot of time with different women, searching for something I have yet to find.
Even when Chesca gave birth to my daughter, I didn’t experience the bond with her that I thought I would. I cared for her. I was fond of her, but I never loved her.
I catch my brother’s eye as I inform the hostess I’m meeting him for dinner. I dine here enough that the staff knows me by name.
“Go ahead, Rook.” She gestures toward Miles. “I’ll have a scotch brought to your table. If you can tear Miles away from his friend, your regular table is waiting for you.”
That’s just another perk that comes with spending a hell of a lot of money to have the best steak in this city prepared to perfection, just for me.
“There’s my brother.” Milo pushes to his feet as I near him.
The woman he’s with glances my way. She looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place her.
“It’s good to see you,” she says like she knows me. “How have you been, Rook?”
I look to my brother for guidance. He picks up the subtle clues in my expression and fills in the blank with ease. “Rook’s been great, Lina. Since you and Gerry moved to Connecticut, he’s kept Kirby preoccupied so she doesn’t miss Alina as much.”
Ah, yes. It’s all coming back to me now.
Lina married a long-time client of mine shortly after their daughter was born. They saw fit to name the little girl after her mom. Alina Rowntree attended the same school as Kirby. My daughter liked the little girl but wasn’t sad to see her move out of state six months ago since Alina had a habit of pulling hair.