Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Come on, I promise baking isn’t torture,” she laughs.
“I know,” I respond, my eyes lingering on the doorway Curt left from. I want to chase after him but I don’t want to be too needy. My mother used to tell me all the time I was too needy. I always try so hard to not be.
“Then why do you look like you want to cry?”
“I don’t.” I spin back around.
“Would you rather be with Curt?” She gives me a knowing smile. “I don’t blame you, but I think you need a bit of a distraction for now.” She hands me a pink apron. I put it on, and when she ties it for me, I do the same for her.
We spend the next few hours baking in the kitchen. I realize that Phoebe and I might come from two different worlds, but when it comes to our parents, we actually have a lot in common. Both of us lacked any real guidance from them. I also point out to her if not for her father trying to buy me, who knows where I’d be right now. In a way he might have saved me.
“How is it going, ladies?” Boone asks as he comes into the kitchen. He goes straight for Phoebe and wraps his arms around her. When he pulls her in for a deep kiss, I look away.
“You tell me,” Phoebe says. We just tried the test cake. I loved it but I’m not sure I’m the best tester at this point. I love anything when it comes to food.
“You always taste sweet, but let me have another bite to be sure.” He kisses her again, and I glance at the doorway, wondering where Curt is.
“We’re going to make two cakes tomorrow. Demi loved the vanilla and strawberry so we’re doing both. Why choose when you don’t have to?”
“I love your logic,” I say with a laugh. “Where’s Curt?” I can’t help the small fear I have that he might up and disappear on me. It’s what my mother always did, and she constantly reminded me that no one stays around for long.
“Getting your room ready for the night. It’s late,” Boone answers, and I glance at the clock on the oven to see it’s already eleven.
“Angel.” I spin back around when I hear Curt’s voice, and a pressure I didn’t realize I felt leaves my chest. He’s still here.
“You stayed.” I rush over toward him.
It’s not until I’m launching myself at him do I remember him saying we need to keep some space between us. I’m also trying not to be too needy, but I’m terrible at this. It’s too damn hard. Curt is like water to me after spending an eternity in the desert. Sometimes I think I might have even dreamed him up. That this all could be fake because right now it’s too good to be true.
“Angel, I’m not going to up and leave you.” He brushes my hair back away from my face. “You’ll see with time.” He doesn't sound annoyed or tired of me. “Let's get you to bed.” He takes me by the hand, leading me out of the kitchen. “Did you have fun with Phoebe?”
“Yes, she’s sweet.”
“She is,” he agrees.
“She told me you didn’t want her to marry your brother.”
“It wasn't anything against her. Boone wasn’t acting like himself, so I was worried.”
“But not anymore?”
“No, not anymore.”
“What changed?” I ask as he opens a door, revealing a bedroom. There isn’t much to the room but a bed. One that’s not as big as the ones at Curt’s place.
“I have a better understanding of what my brother went through.” I turn my head to look up into Curt’s eyes, and my breath catches at the hunger I see there. “Now I’m going to tuck you into bed.”
“You’re not coming to bed?”
“Soon,” he promises as he guides me over toward the bed. “Very soon.”
Chapter Ten
CURT
“I don’t have any pajamas.” Demi looks up at me as she sits on the edge of the bed.
“I didn’t think to bring clothes, so we’ll have to make do tonight.”
I reach for the buttons on my shirt, and she watches me as I do the cuffs first and then down the front. When my dress shirt is off, I place it on the chair by the bed and reach for the white shirt I’m wearing under it. It’s simple and thin but should be enough to cover her while she sleeps. At least for now.
“Here, put this on.” I hand it to her, and she brings it to her face.
“It’s still warm.” She smiles, and god, I love how she looks at me.
Her eyes move across my bare chest, and I wonder if she likes what she sees. “You can go into the bathroom and change.”
She practically skips to the bathroom, and I sit on the edge of the bed with my head in my hands. I talked to Boone about this earlier and he did his best to distract me. I wasn’t lying when I told Demi that I understood better what he was going through with Phoebe. Ever since I first saw her, I’ve been fighting with myself, and I’m ready to have control of the situation.