Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Where are you today?” I ask quietly.
“I don’t even know my own name right now,” he confesses, making me smile. “Tokyo.”
“What time is it there?”
“Five in the afternoon.”
“Wow.” I turn onto my side and pull the sheet up over my hips. “You’ll be leaving work soon, right?”
“In a few hours. We have some things to hammer out before we call it a night. I’ll have dinner brought in.”
“You’re a good boss.”
My eyes are heavy, so I close them, enjoying the way he sounds on the other end of the line.
“It takes one to know one,” he replies, making me smile softly. “Are you sleepy now?”
“Yeah. Sleepy. Miss you.”
“Mm-hmm.” I must doze, because then I hear him say, “God, I fucking miss you, too, babe.”
“Like it when you call me that.”
“Babe?”
“Yeah, that.”
“Good to know.”
I sigh, feeling myself falling asleep.
“Good night, Polly,” he says softly into my ear.
“’Night.”
CHAPTER TEN
RYAN
Immediately after hanging up the phone, I make a call to Mac and leave a message on his voice mail.
“Hey, it’s me. I need the key to your sister’s house. I’m about to make a call to have air conditioning installed for her. She’s uncomfortable, and that’s not okay with me. I’ll have the HVAC guys get in touch with you so you can let them inside. It’s happening this week. Text me with any issues. And thanks. I owe you.”
I hang up, frustrated that it’s the middle of the night back home. Even more frustrated that I’m not there.
I want nothing more than to curl up around Polly and sleep with her. That conversation is exactly what I’d been needing.
Hearing her voice, her laugh, and the smile through the line is what I needed.
Almost as much as I need to get home.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
POLLY
“Jackie,” I call out as I walk into The Sugar Studio and feel my hips gain at least three pounds. “I’m a little early this morning.”
“No worries,” she calls out from the kitchen. “Give me two minutes. I’m just boxing up your order. These key lime cookies are to die for, if I do say so myself.”
At just the mention of the treats, my mouth starts to water.
“Are you coming to the gala on Saturday night?” I ask her as she carries the boxes to me.
“Of course,” she replies with a grin. “I’ll be in today or tomorrow to shop for a dress. I saw your post on social media that you got some things in.”
“I actually have something specific that I think you’ll love. No pressure, of course.” I pass her my credit card so I can pay my tab for the month and then wiggle my eyebrows. “Are you bringing your man?”
“This is so not his usual thing,” she says with a chuckle, “but I talked him into it. I had to promise him that he doesn’t have to wear a tie, but I am getting that man into a sport coat if it’s the last thing I do.”
“My money’s on you,” I say with a wink.
“Are you bringing Ryan?” she asks.
“He’s out of town.” I shrug a shoulder and try to shake off the disappointment that always wants to come when I think of it. “He’ll have to miss this one. Maybe next time.”
“Well, that’s a bummer. Next time for sure,” she agrees and passes me back my card.
Once I’ve signed the receipt, I lift the boxes and smile at Jackie.
“Thanks, friend. See you tomorrow morning for more cookies.”
“Have a successful day,” she says, waving me off as I push through the door and make my way down the block to my store.
It’s an overcast summer day, and I’m pretty sure we’ll have thunderstorms this afternoon, which usually brings shoppers inside, so I can’t complain about that.
“Good morning,” Jessica says as she unlocks the front door for me and steps back so I can walk through. “God, those smell good.”
“I know. Jackie is a genius with sugar.” I set the boxes on the buffet and start setting out the treats so customers can help themselves. “Did you get those new blouses hung?”
“Yes, ma’am, and the steamer’s heating up as we speak. Melissa should be in soon.”
“I wonder if I should call Katie in.” I prop my hands on my hips and check out my handiwork. “Grace is out of town, but it might be best to have four of us on hand today. I have a hunch that it’s going to get busy.”
“Probably not a bad idea,” Jessica replies as she folds some T-shirts.
With a decisive nod, I pull out my cell and call the teenager.
“’Lo?” she answers. I obviously woke her up. “Polly?”
“Hi, Katie, sorry for waking you up. I was wondering if you might be able to put in a few hours this afternoon. Maybe from noon to five?”
“Sure, I can do that. Thanks, Polly.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you this afternoon.”