Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
He went for my last strawberry, and I batted his hand away. “Nope. Those are my favorite.”
Sebastian chuckled and snagged a piece of melon instead. “Got it.” There was something about his lingering look that made me think he’d filed that bit of information away for later. We hadn’t discussed the kiss yet, and I wasn’t brave enough to tackle that subject. However, he hadn’t acted horrified, so I figured we were brushing it under the rug.
“How about I treat you to a relaxing day?” Sebastian announced.
“A relaxing day with my bo—” I stopped myself at the last moment, but Sebastian knew what I was going to say. He lifted his brows at me and smirked. “New friend,” I corrected with a tight smile.
“Yep. I know the things we should do. Have you ever been up to Chester’s?”
My eyes widened like a kid on Christmas. I’d heard of Chester’s. It was one of the biggest bookstores in the area. Located north of downtown in West Chester, Chester’s was a two-story bookstore with exposed red brick, iron works, acres of books, and a coffee shop that had a wide selection of coffees, teas, and snacks. I’d been wanting to go for months but had never found the time or scratched together enough money to treat myself. But an afternoon wandering around a quiet bookstore sounded like heaven.
Not to mention, browsing for books meant there was no pressure to make small talk. Silence was encouraged.
“I’ve never been to Chester’s. I would love to go.”
The look of pure joy that filled Sebastian’s face threatened to stop my heart. Being friends with my boss was going to be very dangerous.
5
SEBASTIAN COURTLAND
A bookstore.
I was taking him to a bookstore.
I was worth billions, and I was taking the guy who’d stolen my heart with all his tiny grins and hidden smirks to a freaking bookstore.
Now to be fair, it was an amazing bookstore, but I wanted to sweep Byron away on my private jet to Paris, where we’d wander the streets, munch on pastries, and cuddle together at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I wanted to take him to Venice, where we’d lazily glide down the canals in a private boat and eat pounds of pasta by candlelight.
I wanted to be the one who showed Byron the world and indulge his every fantasy.
And no, I wasn’t about to break into a Disney song.
However, this wasn’t a date, I bitterly reminded myself. This was two new friends hanging out at a bookstore on a lazy Saturday afternoon. It had seemed like a good idea when I’d initially proposed it. Byron had lit up like a Christmas tree, and I thought I’d scored a brilliant coup.
Until we walked into the place, and I realized I couldn’t hover at his elbow the entire time while we perused books. Normal people went off in different directions to follow their own unique interests.
Except my only interest right now was Byron Graham.
My clenched teeth hidden behind a closed-lipped smile, I dragged my sorry ass off to new releases while Byron wandered wide-eyed toward nonfiction.
Chester’s was a magical store, and I was glad to make it our first non-date outing. The delicious scent of coffee, chocolate, and yeast drifted through the air, accompanied by soft music and even softer conversation. People milled through the various aisles of books. The first floor specialized in nonfiction, calendars, periodicals, and children’s books, while the second floor overflowed with the glories of fiction.
When I was here alone, I would normally make a pass through nonfiction to see if there were any new biographies or business tomes I needed to pick up, but most of my visit was spent in equal amounts of time in general fiction, fantasy, and romance.
But I didn’t want to go upstairs while Byron was on the first floor, so I gave in to stalking while texting my friends for help.
Rome: Fuck. You’re a disaster.
Pierce: If he catches you, there’s no way you’re smoothing it over. You’re going to blow it before you get the chance to fuck him.
Rome: Totally.
Declan: Can you pick up the new Stephen King for me while you’re there?
Me: Yes, D. And you’re all useless. What do I say to get him to relax more around me?
Rome: Ummm…you don’t fucking follow him in a bookstore.
Pierce: That.
Declan: Dating your assistant is dangerous.
Rome: They’re not dating.
Pierce: They’re just friends.
Rome: With a little light stalking.
Pierce: So harmless. So reassuring. Not threatening at all.
I rolled my eyes and turned away from my phone for a second. Even without them in the store, I could hear the two hyenas howling with laughter at my dilemma. When I spotted Byron moving away from the bargain bookshelves to the business section, I turned my attention to my phone.
Me: I hate you both.
Rome: You love us because we’re all that remains of your common sense.