Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
My phone began to ring, and I looked down at it on the counter, where I had laid it, to see Hamilton’s name lighting up the screen. I pressed Answer, then turned it on speaker so I could continue to work.
“Good morning,” I said to him before pulling the milk out of the fridge.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Smiling, I set the milk down and turned to get the oil. “Flattery before coffee is always a plus,” I told him.
“Before? Did I wake you?”
“No. I am brewing it now.”
“Oh good. I miss you.”
Pausing, I stared down at the phone. Truth was, I hadn’t much thought about him. That was a bad thing. Especially if he meant what he had said and he missed me. Maybe that was just him being polite.
“What? You’ve not found another female to charm by now?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood and get out of telling him I missed him, too, because, well, I didn’t.
“Oakley, you’re real damn hard to compete with. Trust me.”
I chewed on my bottom lip nervously. Uh-oh. What did I say to this? I needed my coffee first. Glancing over at it, I was relieved to see it was done.
“That’s flattering, but I learned long ago not to believe all the words that fall from a pretty boy’s mouth.”
He had no idea how thoroughly and painfully I had been taught that lesson. I had said it in a teasing tone, but I meant it. Every word.
“Pretty boy? I’m wounded. You don’t think more of me than that?”
I filled my mug and took a sip just for the caffeine jolt before adding cream and sugar, then turned back to the phone. “Okay, fine. Beautiful man. Is that better?”
He laughed then, and I relaxed. Good, he wasn’t being serious. I didn’t need him going deep on me. He was a model, for God’s sake. He took pictures in his underwear with half-naked women all day. Gorgeous females with perfect bodies, who I was sure flirted with him. Daphne had told me all about his wild exploits. It was one reason I’d agreed to date him. He would never want more than casual from me.
“What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” he asked.
I frowned and stared at the phone. Why was he asking me that? I had no plans for Thanksgiving other than driving home. My dad hadn’t called and invited me over. He was still ignoring me. Wilder would want me out of his house as soon as my eyes opened.
“Uh,” I said, “nothing.”
My phone dinged with a text alert, so I picked it up. Wilder’s name was on the screen.
“Hold that thought, Hamilton. I have a text from Sarah’s dad. I need to check it.”
Opening the text, I hoped he wasn’t about to tell me he was coming home today and I had to pack up and go already.
You have plans on Thanksgiving.
That was all it said. I looked up and scanned the room. Had he heard my conversation on that camera of his? The phone dinged again.
Look to the left of the chandelier in the far corner.
I did as he’d said, and the phone dinged again. I dropped my gaze back to his text.
That’s it.
I picked up the phone and texted.
Thanks. I can now tape a piece of foil over it.
Grinning, I pressed Send, then looked up at the far corner and smirked.
That’s just one of them, Oakley, and foil doesn’t mute the sound.
I scowled at the camera before replying.
Whatever. I’m on the phone, but you know that. Are you saying you won’t be home on Thanksgiving?
I waited while the dots popped up to show that he was texting.
I will, but I won’t make it until right before lunch. Plans have changed. I need you to take Sarah to my mom’s. My mom will force you to stay and eat. If you don’t stay, she will blame me, and she won’t feed me, and I want my mom’s turkey dressing and pecan pie.
I reread that three times. He was telling me that he wanted me at his mother’s for Thanksgiving. I hadn’t misread that.
Okay, I can do that.
I hadn’t known what else to say to him. It had taken me off guard.
What are you making for breakfast?
I glanced up at the corner, unable not to, knowing he was watching me. I started to just tell him since he could hear me, then remembered that Hamilton was still on the phone.
I pressed Mute, then said to the camera, “Turkey-shaped pancakes.”
“I’ll have to check back in a bit and see those.” His voice came over the kitchen speakers, causing me to jump. Then, he laughed.
“You can talk through the thing too?” I asked, still staring at the tiny camera.
“Yes. I’ll call Sarah later. Make sure she has her phone with her today.”
“Will do,” I replied.
When he said nothing more, I unmuted my phone, then put it back on speaker. “Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to be gone so long.”