Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
He looks at me curiously but asks again, “What about you? How’s your work going?”
I laugh. “Well, you should know. You’re at Work It Out as much as I am. You probably exercise more than I do.”
We both laugh, and I continue, “It’s going well, though. Since Natalie is expecting and she made me the manager, I’ve been taking on a lot more responsibilities. It’s challenging, but I love it.”
He scrunches up his nose. “But what about the future? You don’t want to be the manager of a gym for the rest of your life, do you? You want more… right?”
My eyes widen as I realize he’s serious. I’m happy doing what I’m doing, and yes, I have dreams for the future, but they’re not financial or career goals. They’re personal, and there’s nothing I want to say to him about them because I don’t want him getting any ideas. That’s all I need is to tell him that I’ve always dreamed of being a mom and him think I’m giving him a hint. Nope, any time I’ve thought of that I’ve had one man in mind, and he’s in the corner of this very restaurant glaring at me right now. No, I can’t say any of that, so I try to be as honest as I can with him. “Actually, I love what I’m doing right now. My house is paid for since my grandma left it to me. I don’t want to be rich and have to hustle through my life. I want to be happy, and I am… for the most part.”
“Huh,” he says.
After all that, that’s all I get. Huh. It’s like I’m speaking a foreign language or something and he doesn’t understand what I’m saying.
I set down my fork and smile at Ronnie even though it’s forced. “So I heard they were opening a bank in Jasper. Are you going to help with that?”
He starts talking again, and as I sit here and listen, I know I fucked up. Truthfully, Ronnie is a great guy, but there’s absolutely no chemistry between us. I should have known better than to say yes to this date. He’s a regular at the gym, and I see him almost every day. When I end this, I’m going to have to do it easily so that things don’t get awkward.
I look at Elias sitting alone in the corner again, and I want to talk to him. I want to ask him why he never called me, texted me, sent an email or anything. I wondered for a long time if something had happened to him, and that was probably the worst part… not knowing.
CHAPTER 2
ELIAS
Chloe’s on a date.
I have no right to be mad, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not. There’s an intense urge to walk across the restaurant and lay claim to her in front of God and everyone.
It would take no time at all for word to spread through Whiskey Run, and everyone will know that she’s off limits from this point forward. I want that more than anything. I want Chloe to be mine.
My leg is shaking underneath the table as I fight the possessive rage building inside me. At one time, I could have claimed her, and I did just that. But it’s been five years since that night, and I fucked up royally. I don’t stand a chance now.
Every time I come into town, it’s with the sole mission to see her and just make sure she’s okay. That’s what I try to convince myself to believe, anyway.
I’ve followed her to work, the grocery store, the library, the gym she works at, and to her house. I rub my hand through my scruff as I think about standing outside her house last week watching her through the window. She had no clue I was there, and I could have stood there all night, but I didn’t want to freak her or her neighbors out. I felt like a damn peeping Tom.
“Can I get you anything else, Elias?”
My eyes jerk to the waitress standing beside me. I scowl at her but only because she’s blocking the view I had of Chloe. Instead of answering her, I ask, “How do you know my name?”
She smiles. “Small town.”
“No. I don’t need anything else.” I grunt, and when her eyebrows lift and she looks as if I’ve scared her or something, I soften it with “Thank you. Can I get the check please?”
She nods and pulls her notebook out of her apron. “Sure thing, honey.” She slides it across the table until it meets my hand. I pick it up, avoiding her touch and try to dismiss her, but she stays rooted to her spot.
“Uh,” she starts before clearing her throat. “Uh, I just wanted to let you know that I put my number on there. You know… in case you ever wanted to call me.”