Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
The girl with the big rock on her left hand pats Julie on the back. “Oh, honey, it’s okay. Let’s talk about this later.”
“Actually, isn’t this the best time? We’re all professionals here.” Julie’s getting worked up and, not to be mean, but if we were dating, I would have sent myself to a professional because no amount of sex would be worth this. “We can give him all our collective advice. We know that to build a book of business. You have to be consistent, and to throw it all away for no reason doesn’t make sense.”
“No reason?” Kaden interjects, but I give him a rough shake of my head. I never shared my mother‘s circumstances with Julie because despite her thinking we were a couple, I never thought we were close. Not share my mom’s medical diagnosis close, at least.
Natalie catches my silent signal to Kaden and tilts her head. I give her a tight, regretful smile. I know I’m not making a good impression.
“Happy hour’s a blast, isn’t it?” I joke.
Natalie gives a light laugh. “We should call it ‘grievance hour’ because I have to confess that our Wednesday nights are really a time when we complain about everything bad in our lives, and when I say bad, I mean even the minor inconveniences like not having the right change for the toll.”
”That’s completely understandable. Not being able to whip the coins into the feeder and speed through can put me off the entire day.”
“You get it.”
I tip my glass toward her. “I’m all in for grievance hour.”
“But—“ Julie starts to say, but Luna has had enough. She jumps to her feet and pulls Julie with her.
“Bathroom break. We’ll be right back.” A flash of the enormous diamond and the two are gone.
Everyone seems to let out a sigh of relief.
“I think what you’re doing is cool,” Natalie says quietly. “I’m not brave enough to leave my law practice, so it’s awesome that you’re pursuing whatever it is you’re pursuing.”
”We all know that Julie’s issue isn’t with you but something else,” Frankie adds.
“It’s all good. How about you buy the table another round, Kaden?” I suggest. “I’ve got to save up for my electricity bill.”
Kaden starts to chuckle. “All right, boss, I’ll buy tonight.” He pulls out his black card. “You owe me, though.”
“I’ll pay you back when I take on my next case.”
“So never.”
I shrug. “Times are tough, and you can afford it.”
“I don’t mind paying.” Natalie reaches for her purse.
I realize my joke has gone too far. I lay a hand over her wrist. “No. It’s all good. I can manage a few rounds. I’ve even got enough for a few dinners. We’re just playing.”
“It’s the twenty-first century. Women pay for themselves. That’s why we have jobs.” She tugs at my grip, but I won’t let go.
“Don’t make me get on my knees and beg you. There’s only so much my poor man-ego can take.”
She hesitates, which is very sweet but also humiliating. It was one thing for Julie to think that I could not scrape two pennies together, but I don’t want this beautiful girl to think I couldn’t provide for her.
“I’m really doing okay,” I say quietly. “I never corrected Julie because it didn’t matter. We weren’t dating.”
“You went out to eat with her?” Natalie asks.
“Yeah.”
“That’s dating, Dylan.” She wrinkles her nose and leans around me so she can capture her friend’s eyes. “I’m ready to go home, Frankie.”
And after that, it’s not but two minutes, and it’s just Kaden and me at the table.
“That went well,” I say.
“About as good as my last play of the season. You suck as a wingman, Dylan.”
“Does this mean that you aren’t buying this round?”
I duck to avoid the napkin Kaden throws at my head, but it’s not for nothing he’s a pro quarterback.
Chapter Six
NATALIE
In our friend group, Luna is the sweetest. Considering her upbringing, you would think life would have jaded her, but it hasn’t. Her past, however, left a few scars along the way. One of those being her constant pursuit of perfection and her need to fit in. I honestly think only Frankie and I know the real her. The parts of herself she hides away.
I wonder if her soon-to-be husband knows them. I’d like to think he does. I have seen the way he stares at her. I think it’s love, but what do I know? I’m more worried about the world she’s marrying into. They aren’t rich; they are wealthy. Their wealth surpasses my comprehension.
Luna wants to fit in with them. I know it. That’s why I’m racing down the hallway to get the hell out of here. I can’t be late. I don't anticipate Luna becoming a bridezilla, but given her past behavior, I know she will strive for this wedding to be flawless. I could get down with that if I thought it was a dream of hers. Sure, most girls want a damn good wedding, but this is to prove she can fit in with the Montclairs.