Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 95147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Yes, sir. I’ll be right back with your champagne and orange juice.” She took the menus, and I was left speechless again.
“How did you know that I’d eat that?” Note I didn’t say that it’s exactly what I wanted.
“Because it’s the best thing on the menu.”
“Oh, you must come here a lot then. I’ve never been.” Why am I so nervous all of a sudden? Is it because I’m about to eat in front of him for the first time?
“Haven’t you ever been here before?” I snorted inelegantly.
“I don’t fit in in places like this.”
“Why is that?”
“Look around you; what do you see? The rich and the beautiful. It’s always been this way ever since this place opened years ago.”
“I never knew that; tell me more. Was the staff here ever disrespectful to you because of your body?”
“It’s not like that. It was just known, you know, that this was the new place for the in-crowd to gather.” I shrugged my shoulders as if it didn’t matter.
“I’m sure the owner appreciates it. He’s probably some stuck-up jerk, just like all the other beautiful people. The place looks better with the supermodel types in the window sitting down to brunch as people walk by or milling around at the bar after work on a Friday, so I can’t say that I fault him; money first, right.
“I’m sure he doesn’t.” Why is he so upset again?
“Why? Do you know him? Is he a friend of yours?”
“Yeah, he’s my business partner; we own this place together.”
Oops! If looks could kill, I’d be dead.
‘This cock blocking bitch!’
‘Not now, Ms. Kitty.’
STEPH
After I so succinctly put my foot in my mouth, I expected things to get awkward, but I don’t think Mace does awkward silence well. He was more the smoldering type. I was saved by the waitress bringing the champagne and orange juice to the table with a smile. “I’m sorry!” I said around my five toes and half a hoof as soon as she walked away.
“For what? Your insecurities don’t harm me, just you.” Harsh! But is he right? I’d spent two years trying to put all that behind me. I rigorously shook off all the bad karma from past days and had made myself into something I never thought I could be, a confident woman. But now, it seems at the first sign of adversity or one of my old hang-ups coming to the forefront, I morph back into that insecure girl and woman who never fit in, never felt like she was enough.
Had I really been fooling myself? No, I’ve come a long way from where I once was, which was under everyone else’s feet. “Those insecurities were foisted on me since I was able to understand the English language. You wouldn’t understand. You’ve probably always looked like that. Thanks!” I accepted the mimosa he’d made and passed to me in the expensive crystal flute. No wonder the pancakes cost thirty dollars; they have to pay for the dinnerware somehow.
“So what if I’ve always looked like this? There are way more important things than body size in life. If you let something like that keep you from being happy, or fulfilling your life, then that’s on you and no one else, not even the idiots who judge you because of it. Listen, Stephanie, I’ve decided I’d like to fuck you at some point, so let’s not fuck it up with bullshit, shall we.”
Ms. Kitty liked that, but I was just a little bit put out. “So what’re you saying? That my grievances have no merit?”
“I wouldn’t dare say that to you or anyone else. What I am saying is that insecurities are not cute. Not only that, but if you’re waiting for someone else to make you feel good about yourself, then you’ve already lost the game.”
“I thought you were stronger than this; at least you seemed so the night we met. Or are you only that way when you’ve been drinking?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a real meanie?”
“You’re gonna have to do better than that cupcake.”
“What?” My heart was beating in my ears.
“I was an asshole to you for five minutes straight, and that’s all you have to say? That I’m a meanie? Tell me to go fuck myself. Tell me that no, I absolutely don’t know what you’re going through because I haven’t lived it, and I don’t know shit.”
“Wait, what’s going on? Aren’t you mad about what I said about your business?”
“Yes, I’m mad, but not at you. I’m mad that you or anyone would genuinely feel that way about anything with my name on it. I have PR people in charge of this stuff, and no one ever told me anything about something like that happening.”
“I’m sorry that you came into my place and were mistreated. that will never happen again.”