Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 94106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Men have liked younger women throughout history.”
He wagged his finger at me. “I thought you might say that. So I’m prepared. Hugh Jackman’s wife is thirteen years older than him. Allison Janney’s boyfriend is twenty years younger. And Holland Taylor is thirty-two years older than Sarah Paulson.”
He definitely got credit for ingenuity. Luckily, I was let off the hook from having to respond by the sound of someone knocking at my front door.
“Valentina?” Bella yelled.
I went to let her in, while Ford stayed on the back deck.
“Hey.” I opened the screen door. “How did your interview go?”
“It went great. They offered me the job. But I need your help. I was hoping you could help me convince my brother to let me stay out here for the summer.”
Ford bellowed from the back deck. “Still can’t fight your own battles, huh, Bella?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Shit. I didn’t know he was here.”
I offered a sympathetic smile. “Sorry. But come on out back. And congratulations on getting the job.”
On my way out to the deck, I grabbed Ford another beer. Handing it to him, I took my seat without thinking anything of it.
Bella looked back and forth between us. “Well, don’t you two look cozy?”
I felt compelled to explain, even though we weren’t doing anything wrong. It wasn’t unusual for two neighbors to sit together and share an afternoon beer.
“My kitchen sink was leaking, and Ford fixed it for me. It took him hours. He just finished up.”
Ford looked over at me and shook his head. He knew what I was doing.
“What do you want, Bella?” he said.
She put her hand on her hips. “I want to stay. Your apartment is boring, and I love it out here. The restaurant hired me to work their busy shift—Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays—so I’ll be working all the time and won’t be able to get out of control.”
Ford sat up and scratched his chin. Bella took the opportunity to keep selling.
“Plus, Valentina will be out here all summer, so she can keep an eye on me.”
He looked over at me and pushed his sunglasses down his nose to meet my eyes. “You’re staying out here all summer? Not just weekends?”
I nodded. “I have to go into the city to take my teaching exam next week, but other than that, I don’t have any plans to leave.”
Ford squinted. I could see the wheels in his head turning. He rubbed his chin. “The entire summer, huh?”
I nodded hesitantly.
He looked at his sister. “You know what? Go ahead. Stay. I think it might be good for you to spend time out here this summer after all.” He flashed a mischievous smile. “In fact, I’m looking forward to spending as much time out here as I can, too.”
Well, that most certainly backfired.
***
Later that night, I was studying on the couch when Ford knocked on the door. “Hey. I have to head back into the city early tomorrow morning before traffic. I just wanted to talk to you about Bella.”
“Sure, come in.”
He looked at the books strewn all over and my pile of homemade flashcards. “Cramming for your exam next week?”
“Yeah. It’s on Thursday.”
“You know, I speak some Italian. Maybe I can give you a hand, if you need it.”
“You do?”
“I did a semester abroad in Rome my second year of college. Actually, I was only there about seven weeks.” He looked away. “That’s where I was when I got the call about my parents’ accident.”
“Oh God. I’m sorry. That must’ve been awful—getting a call like that when you’re so far away.”
He nodded. “Say something in Italian.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Anything.”
I thought for a moment, then said, “Spero davvero di non bombardare questo test.” I really hope I don’t bomb this test.
Ford grinned. “I have no idea what you said, but it sounded sexy as fuck.”
I laughed. “Let me hear you say something.”
He cocked his head to one side. “Mi piace molto il tuo aspetto senza un reggiseno.” I really like the way you look without a bra on.
My eyes widened, and I looked down. Sure enough, my nipples were practically piercing through my shirt. I hadn’t been expecting company. I folded my arms across my chest. “It’s cold in here.”
“Really? I’m kind of warm.”
So damn cocky.
“You said you wanted to talk to me about Bella?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. If the house starts shaking from a party, will you let me know? I won’t be able to get back out here until next weekend.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll keep an eye out for her.”
“Thanks. She’s a pain in my ass. But I want to keep her out of trouble.”
I smiled. “You have a soft side, Ford.”
He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before moving his mouth to my ear. “I have a hard side I’d like to show you, too.”