Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
It was overwhelming but fun.
He chuckled. “Yeah, I think they’re at the end of their rope with me, so I figured I’d at least show up once to get everyone off my back.”
That seemed like a good plan.
I should’ve thought of it too.
“Is wishing you luck appropriate?” I shrugged as he flashed me a grin. “I have no idea what I’m doing here or what’s bad manners.”
Romance novels could not be trusted to provide accurate social cues.
“Not going to assume I’m going to ask you out?” He chuckled when I blushed. “I’m teasing. I appreciate the thought.”
Trying to look more confident than I felt, I straightened. “No, because the woman at the post office told me that you’re looking at getting to know someone else. I just didn’t realize she was warning me off because of…well, because we might have a mutual interest.”
And once that memory flashed through my mind, I remembered his name…Monroe.
He groaned, shaking his head. “This town…”
Was fascinating.
So many nosy people and kinky people and not-human people.
Sometimes I just wished they would give me a bit more time to figure out all the kinky pieces they thought should come more easily than they actually did. Everyone else might think they knew what I was but I wasn’t so sure about it.
I could, however, gather knowledge about a new subject so I could make more educated decisions.
“The town is very curious and I’m fairly certain someone will arrive to shove us in the door if we don’t actually walk in ourselves.” I wasn’t sure if I was teasing or not but Monroe chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah, I’d have to agree with you.” He glanced around teasingly, then gave me a smile that seemed like he was trying to boost his confidence as well. “You ready? I happen to know that a certain grumpy…guy is going to be in attendance tonight.”
Ugh.
My groan had him chuckling again, and the wicked sound in his voice would’ve been tempting if he wasn’t right about where my curiosity was aimed. “You’re not the only one who’s been warned off.”
I was surrounded by crazy people…crazy creatures?
The way Monroe had tripped over his description of Boyd said he wasn’t sure if I knew what the man in question was or not…well, besides not being a human man. Human male? I needed to figure out what everyone was just so I knew what words to use.
It was frustrating not knowing if I was being rude or not.
“Let’s go in before I die of embarrassment in the parking lot.” With my luck, I’d survive somehow and still end up the talk of the town.
But my resolve quickly started to fade as we headed inside and I realized that meant I’d actually have to figure out what I was doing here.
Good grief.
Why had I thought this was a good idea?
“You’ve got it, cutie.” Monroe gave me a reassuring smile as I glanced away from the people milling around the large room and back up at him. “And don’t look now, but you’ve got company.”
“What do I do?” It was a stupid question but he took it seriously.
“You talk to people. Hang out and see if something catches your attention. Have a snack. Just explore. There’s no right or wrong.”
Explore.
No right or wrong.
“I like snacks.” My ridiculous response made his smile wider.
“Then make Kenzie very happy by asking for a piece of his cake and that will go a long way in helping you make a few more friends.” He seemed to force his smile away as he stepped back. “The grump is incoming and looks kind of jealous if you ask me.”
Giving me a nod of his head, he winked and stepped back, heading across the room toward a man I didn’t recognize…but the man I did recognize really was heading in my direction and I could feel my face heating up again.
“We’re glad you could come, Stefan.” Boyd still looked stern but after Monroe’s teasing, I started to see something that might be nerves behind his overly neutral expression.
Maybe?
“I…I’ve been thinking about what Kenzie and his friends said.” And the deputy and the lady across the street from me and the bagger at the grocery store.
“I know they’ll be glad.” He paused but I couldn’t even begin to guess what he was thinking. “I’m glad too.”
He was?
Maybe he did frown at me differently than he did everyone else?
I hadn’t believed Mrs. Fillpots when she’d said that, but I wasn’t so sure anymore.
“Me too.” Oh, that hadn’t made sense at all. “I mean, I—”
Boyd actually smiled at me and it lit up his entire face. “It’s okay. I know what you meant.”
I was glad one of us did.
“Would you like to go meet a few people? See what everyone is doing?” Boyd waited as I took a breath, not looking impatient or like he thought I was being silly.