Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“That wouldn’t be a good idea for so many reasons—the biggest being I live in New York, and he lives here.”
“That’s an obstacle not a barrier. People can move.”
I laughed. “Not Fox. The man doesn’t like change. He’s a creature of habit. He eats the same thing for dinner on the same night every week. If you look up the word immovable in the dictionary, I’m pretty certain there’s a picture of Fox Cassidy. And of course, my work and apartment are in New York.”
“I see.” Cynthia paused and wrote some notes. “Aside from this new arrangement with the neighbor, how have you been feeling? How has your sleeping been?”
I’d slept better than I had in years after sex with Fox. The man was like a sleeping pill. “Really good, actually.”
“What about your energy level? Have you been spending time in bed when you’re not sleeping?”
“Well, this weekend I spent a lot of time in bed not sleeping.”
Cynthia smiled again. “Right. I guess I walked into that one. Appetite okay?”
“Are we still talking about the time I spent in bed the last few days?”
She laughed. “I was referring to your hunger for food. But I think it’s great that your sexual appetite is strong.”
“I’ve been eating pretty well, too. Honestly, I feel like the old me again—the one before the meltdown, I mean.”
Cynthia and I spent another forty minutes talking. For a change, when our session ended, I didn’t have the urge to climb into bed and curl into a ball.
This afternoon, when I’d gotten back from lunch with my uncle, I’d made meatballs and sauce while I tiled the backsplash in the kitchen. The pot had been cooking all day, so I lowered the temperature to simmer. Not long after, Fox knocked. My heart rate picked up, which caused an internal war.
This is just sex, Josie. Don’t get excited to see the man.
Why can’t I be excited to see him? Maybe I’m excited about the prospect of having sex with him again and not about his company.
No, you’re not.
Yes, I am!
I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants and opened the screen door with a smile. “Hey. Come on in.”
Fox stepped inside. An awkward few seconds ticked by. We’d been making out for days, so it seemed odd not to kiss hello. Unnatural almost. His eyes immediately zoned in on my mouth, so I thought he might be feeling the same way, though neither of us made a move.
Fox cleared his throat and looked away. “You cooking? Smells good in here.”
“I am. I made meatballs and sauce. Are you hungry? I can make you a plate. Though I have to warn you, the meatballs are heart-healthy. Made with mostly turkey. Only a little beef for flavor. I’m not sure you’d approve. You seem like a real meat-and-potatoes guy—with the meat being the unhealthy kind.”
Fox’s lip twitched. “I like healthy foods.”
I thumbed behind me. “You want some?”
“No thanks. I ate already. I need to head to the rink. We had to shift practice to Monday this week because the rink is getting some work done on Wednesday, and I told one of the guys we’d run a few miles together beforehand. He wants some extra training.”
“Oh. Well, have fun.”
He nodded and took an envelope out of his back pocket. “I just stopped over to give you this.”
“What is it?”
“Your two-thousand dollars. The part Ray didn’t spend already, anyway.”
I took the envelope and peeked inside. “I don’t understand. Why do you have it? I gave it to my uncle for his medical bills.”
“There are no medical bills, Josie.”
“What do you mean?”
“I got wind that Ray was shooting his mouth off about a sure thing he was going to lay heavy cash on. Found him at the dog track before the betting window opened.”
“So he lied to me and was going to gamble the money?”
Fox put his hands on his hips. “I hate to break it to you, but your uncle is a piece of crap. He lies, cheats, and steals. I know you look for the good in everyone and want to think he’s changed. But he hasn’t. I understand if you want to get to know him, though I don’t think he’s worth your time. But please don’t give the asshole any more money. I might wind up in jail getting it back next time.”
I looked down at the ground, feeling like an idiot. “Okay.”
Fox put two fingers under my chin and tilted my head up so our eyes met. “That’s on him. Not on you. You feel me?”
“I really thought he’d changed. He was so sympathetic and believable.”
“That’s what makes him a good con man, sweetheart.”
“But you knew it…”
“That’s because I’m cynical as fuck. You’re optimistic and all things good.”
I sighed. “Thank you for getting it back.”
He nodded. “No problem. How you feeling? Did the Epsom salt help?”