Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
So, that’s how my new friend got my number. Wait a minute. How did Marco get my number?
“I know everything about you,” he answers, and I’m pretty sure he’s a mind reader as well as a mob boss.
I’m pretty sure jackhammers are going off in my brain. I peel my scratchy eyelids open and glance around the room. Yep, it’s definitely Marco’s guest bedroom. Well, that’s good. Little snippets of memory sneak into my hungover mind as I lie perfectly still, hoping the room will stop spinning. The first coherent thought I have is, At least I didn’t end up in some back alley or worse after my wild night with Hunter.
I found a kindred spirit in Marco’s niece. Neither one of us know the meaning of moderation. We started the night off at one of the fancy Italian restaurants Marco owns. After a mind-blowing meal, I let my new friend talk me into checking out the newest nightclub on the strip.
It was a little intimidating to walk right past hundreds of people in line and go right in the door. From there, things went downhill fast. Really fast. Hunter and I let our inhibitions down and ended up drinking our weight in expensive booze. Oh, man. I’m never doing this again. I groan to myself as the room picks up speed around me.
In my foggy memory, I have a slight recollection of Marco carrying me up the stairs and helping me to bed. Oof. I’m pretty sure my hot mob boss is going to have a few words for me once I’m able to drag myself out of bed.
My phone dings on the bedside table, and I’m actually happy to have a diversion from my thoughts.
I glance at the message from my friends and have a hard time making anything out.
Cleary
I have a confession.
Cleary
I’ve been lying to y’all and I’m so sorry.
I have a ton of questions, but the room is spinning too fast for me to respond.
Peyton
What do you mean, lying?
Mandy
You know you can tell us anything. You never have to say sorry to us! We’re your people!
Cleary
You know that book we read a few months ago for book club? The one by the new author?
Gem
The mafia one or the green lizard aliens with two thingies?
I’m not going to lie. I loved the green lizard aliens.
Peyton
Wait! It could have been the band of assassins one.
Cleary
That’s the one.
Devyn
Oh yeah, that one was so hot!
Gem
Holy crap on a cracker, that book was hawt!
Cleary
Yeah, well, that’s me.
Cordy
Wait, I’m late to the convo. Stupid mountains. What’s you?
That’s why Cordy hasn’t been returning my messages. I’ve been messaging my friend, hoping she could give me advice on my crazy circumstances. At least, now I know she isn’t in some kind of trouble.
Cleary
I mean, that’s me. That’s my book.
I thought the book was a favorite of all of us. What in the world is Cleary talking about?
What’s your book? I’m so confused. Actually, I’m still hungover and I can’t make sense of any of this convo.
I give up trying to keep up with the chat and drop the phone next to me on the bed. I lie there debating if I’m dying or not when the dings start coming through again.
Gem
OMG! You finally did it!
Mandy
What did she do?
Cordy
What is happening?
What’s happening? I’m dying is what’s happening. And it’s all my fault. I should’ve stopped after the fifth shot of tequila.
I’m dying. I swear. I’m never drinking again.
Cleary
I wrote that book. And the other two in the series.
Cleary
I am Anita Dix.
Wow. My friend is Anita Dix. I’d be happy for her if I wasn’t ready to meet Jesus. Needing to support her, I force myself to type in a quick message.
Holy cow that’s so awesome. I’ll be excited for you once the room stops spinning.
Seconds after I send my message, my stomach begins to roll big time. Oof. It looks like I’m going to need to have a long conversation with the porcelain throne before I can finish this chat with my friends.
I come back and find that Cordy has returned my messages. I’m too tired and sick to make much of her comments about crazy mountain men, Babe the Blue Ox, and no cell towers, but I tell myself I’ll figure it out once my stomach stops trying to crawl its way up my throat.
CHAPTER
NINE
MARCO
If my Tabby Cat weren’t so pathetic right now, I’d spank her ass red for the stunt she pulled last night. I can see we’re going to need to have a long talk about letting Hunter talk her into things. But I’ll wait until she’s recovered from her little lapse in judgment.
“Are you okay, baby?” I wet a washcloth and hold it to her sweaty forehead.
“I’m dying,” she moans pathetically. “Your niece is a menace, but I love her.”
“I’m glad you two are getting along.” I truly am. I couldn’t stomach the thought of having to choose between my beloved niece and my soulmate. “But I’m worried about you. I can’t believe Hunter let you drink this much.”