Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
I give him a smile and grab my purse. “I’m ready.”
“Me too.” His dark eyes roam over my body, leaving goosebumps in their wake, and I’m pretty sure he’s ready for more than breakfast.
“Where are we going?” I ask him as we walk down Main Street.
“There’s a great little restaurant around the corner called the 5th Avenue Café.” He smiles down at me. “They have the best French toast in the entire country.”
Oh, man. Mr. Greek God knows the way to my heart. “I freaking love French toast.”
“I know.” Knowing Mr. Greek God is putting such an effort into wooing me makes it hard to resist him. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m already falling hard for Roman. It’s fast and crazy, but my heart won’t listen to reason.
We step into the diner and right into the nineteen-fifties. A middle-aged, blonde-haired woman standing behind the counter calls over to us, “Grab a seat wherever you want. I’ll be right with you.”
We sit in a booth near the window and find menus stuck between the napkin holder and the salt and pepper. I automatically grab one and start looking, even though I already know I want lots of coffee and French toast.
“Good morning.” The waitress walks over, and I check out her light blue retro uniform. I have to squint hard to see what her pink name tag says and giggle to myself when I read: I answer to whatever gets the most tips. “Can I start you with coffee or orange juice?”
I don’t hesitate. “Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.” I glance up at the waitress pleadingly, and Roman snickers.
“I’ll have the same,” he adds.
“I’ll have the much-needed caffeine infusion coming right up.” The waitress rushes over to the counter and returns a few minutes later with two full coffee cups. I sip on my coffee, hoping it gets my brain circuits firing while Roman orders our breakfast.
After the waitress walks away, I notice Roman keeps checking his phone and I’m starting to get a little suspicious. “Is everything okay?”
“No one has heard from my sister for several days.” I didn’t even know he had a sister. “My older brother is looking for her, and I’m waiting to hear from him.”
“I’m sorry.” I reach across the table and squeeze his hand, hoping to ease some of the tension etched on his features. “I’m sure she’s fine. As a little sister who has two older brothers breathing down her neck, I can tell you that sometimes you just need to get away.”
“I hope so.” He runs his hand down the front of his face. “Gabbi tends to find the maximum amount of trouble in the minimum amount of time.”
“Tell me about your family.” I want to know all about him, and maybe it will distract him from his worry.
Roman sits back and sighs. “It’s just me and my two siblings. Jordan is two years older than me, and Gabbi is sixteen years younger.” The name Jordan Sterling sounds awfully familiar. “My brother is the majority owner of the Silver Spoon Falls Falcons hockey team.” That’s where I know it from. His brother is pretty well-known in sporting circles. “And Gabbi recently graduated from college with a nursing degree.”
“And you own The Sterling Rope,” I add the obvious.
“Among things.” He sips his coffee and glances down at his phone again.
“What other things?” I ask, hoping to distract him. I can’t believe how much seeing him worried and distracted affects me.
He glances at me and shrugs. “I’m on the board of directors of our family company, Sterling Pharmaceuticals, and I’m a silent owner in the Falcons, plus a few other businesses here in Silver Spoon Falls.” Holy cow. He’s not wealthy; he’s stinking loaded.
“Sounds like you stay pretty busy.” I suddenly feel like I’m way out of my depth here.
“Not really.” He slides his hand across the table and takes hold of mine. I don’t resist when he laces our fingers together. “I work a couple days a week at the club, and I’m mostly a silent partner in all the businesses, so I attend board meetings and read reports.”
“What do you do with the rest of your time?”
“Honestly, I’ve been getting bored. I was starting to look for something to occupy me, and the next thing I know, you drop right into my lap.” As he stares into my eyes, I fight the urge to melt on the spot. “And I have no doubt you’ll keep me on my toes for the next fifty years or so.”
Holy cow! He’s moving fast, but it doesn’t feel wrong. In fact, nothing has ever felt this right.
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” The words pop out of my mouth before I’m able to stop them.
“Hell yes. Once I figure out this shit with my sister, I plan to show you how up to it I am.” He winks at me, and I almost melt on the spot.