Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 73043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
I appreciated his concern, but I was sober and aware of my surroundings at all times, processing information quicker than the average person. He should know because he did the same thing. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for inviting me to spend the Fourth with your family.”
Severe disappointment moved into his eyes, but he didn’t voice further protests. “You’re very welcome, Atlas.” He gave me a pat on the back of the shoulder. “See you on Monday. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
“I look forward to it.”
He stepped away so his wife could say goodbye.
Instead of shaking my hand or giving me a pat on the arm, she enveloped me in her arms for a hug. “It was lovely to have you. Hope we see each other again soon.” She gave me a tight squeeze, her hair brushing against me, smelling like flowers. When she pulled away, she sent me a smile with her eyes as well as her lips.
It felt like I’d just gotten a hug from my mom. “Me too.”
She walked away with her husband, and then Daisy trailed out, her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes narrowed with playful hostility. “I know Dad can be bossy sometimes, but he means well.”
“I know he does.”
“He just cares—a lot.”
“Yeah…I know that too.”
“Well, I guess I’ll see you on Monday.”
Her parents went back into the house and shut the door. I glanced at them then turned back to her. “You think anyone saw us?” I felt the smile tug at my lips, already anticipating her reaction before I finished asking the question.
“God, I hope not. But my mom has eyes in the back of her head, so…” She shrugged. “But even if she didn’t, I’d tell her. I tell my mom everything.”
“That’s cute. Gonna tell her you’re going to go out with me?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Goodnight, Atlas. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Alright.” I leaned against my car as I watched her turn around and walk to the front door.
She must have felt my eyes because she turned around to look at me from the door.
I repeated what she’d done to me when I’d spoken to Lydia, air-squeezing her tits then mapping out her curves with my hands.
The chuckle that left her lips was uncontrollable. Her eyes lit up too, in this beautiful way that reminded me of the fireworks I’d barely gotten a glimpse of. With a smirk on her lips, she walked inside.
13
Daisy
Mom sat with me at the table on the patio, my dad and brothers far on the other side grilling up lunch, while Emerson and Sicily were watching the boys. “So…were there any fireworks?”
I snaked my hand into the chips and got a huge scoop of guac before I shoved it into my mouth. “Still got eyes in the back of your head, huh?”
“Yep. They grew in once I became a mom.”
I dipped another chip and popped that into my mouth. “Did you tell Dad?”
“God, no,” she said with a chuckle. “He doesn’t want to know anything about anything ever.”
“Really? Wasn’t clear when he became Lady Whistledown.”
Mom chuckled as she grabbed a chip. “His work is done, so he can move on now. So, how was it?”
“Pretty good.”
“That’s all you’re going to give me?”
“You want a blow-by-blow or what?” I asked incredulously.
“That’s what you normally do. Being private about this one…”
“Because Dad works with him, he’s my boss, it’s just weird.”
“I don’t think it’s weird at all. Your dad was my boss, but that didn’t stop me from—”
“Whoa, let me stop you right there.” I held up my hand. “I love that you guys are all in love and shit all the time, but let’s skip the details.”
“Fair enough. So, on a scale from one to ten.”
“You aren’t going to leave me alone, are you?”
“Nope.” She dunked her chip into the guac before she took a bite.
“Alright…pretty high.”
“Like a ten?”
“I never give anyone a ten. Out of principle. But it’s up there.”
“Ooh. Going to go out with him, then?”
“Not sure.”
“What are you uncertain about?” Mom was in cutoff shorts and a black tank top, her long hair back in a ponytail, looking like Emerson and Sicily with her aviator sunglasses on the bridge of her nose, rocking heels with those toned legs. “He’s hot, smart, successful, your father likes him…and he’s a good kisser.”
“He’s my boss. That’s so not a good idea. And then he’s close with Dad, which is an even worse idea.”
“Why?”
“Because what happens when we break up? Super awkward.”
“I’m sure you guys can be professional. And maybe you won’t break up.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not holding my breath on that.”
She studied me through her sunglasses as she broke a chip apart and dunked it into the guacamole. “Does this have anything to do with Mason?”
“Psh. I’m so over that clown.”
“But he hurt you pretty bad.”