Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
There was a deep-seeded dread inside me that I had a hard time deciphering and it wasn’t about leaving Nanna, so what was the root of it?
My mind went a mile a minute and I slowed my paces. With every step I took, a new possibility presented itself.
The inevitable sting of change.
Working again and being useful to somebody other than your grandmother.
Living your life solely for you.
Honestly, I thought it was a bit of all of those things and if I were being one hundred percent honest, I felt ashamed for wanting all of those things.
At long last, I approached the bus with a forced smile. Nobody needed to know about my internal dilemma. Every time my stomach pitched, my smile widened. I would not let my fear show.
Would it be inappropriate if I started hyperventilating?
Yes.
Too late.
That was when a man in a black suit came to stand in front of me. He held out his hand, palm up, and spoke firmly. “Ma’am, I’m going to need you to take a step back for me.”
Eyes wide as saucers, my heart lurched, but I did as I was told.
Ah, crud.
He lowered his sunglasses marginally. “State your business.”
My mouth opened, but nothing came out. Well, that’s not true. I squeaked like a gerbil then stupidly stood there speechless.
I wasn’t exactly good with confrontation. Like in ninth grade, when Becky Amour cornered me by my locker and asked me if I was as stupid as I looked, and I vomited on her white K-Swiss sneakers.
I still can’t believe she sent me a cleaning bill.
My gut clenched painfully.
I still can’t believe I paid it.
The man’s brows narrowed before he huffed out a breath. “Yeah, you need to move along.”
A gentle hand on my shoulder spun me around and guided me partway across the depot. “Yo, Craig.” Loud footfalls followed and then a tall body was blocking me. I squinted into the sunlight, peering up at the man, pushing my glasses up my nose.
Noah grinned down at me. “Where you going, short stuff?”
A harsh breath left me in a whoosh and my hands shook. I almost doubled over in relief.
Oh, thank God.
Noah was here and he’d save me from the brute named Craig who, by the way, uttered an incredulous, “You know her?”
My mind poked its tongue out at him.
“Craig, this is Emily.” Reaching down, Noah took my luggage in his hand, put his arm around my shoulders and guided me back toward the bus. “She works for us.”
Craig frowned then blinked at me. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
My heart thumped in my chest and a flush started at the base of my neck. The words were whisper-quiet. “You scared me.”
Noah glared. Craig’s muttered reply was affronted. “Way to make me feel like a jerk.” Then he reached across Noah and held his hand out. “I apologize.” I hesitated before placing my hand in his. He held it firm and gave it a single tug. “Nice to meet you.”
Okay, so maybe Craig wasn’t a brute, just cautious. I could appreciate that.
“Nice to—” It was hard to breathe, my voice fading into a hush. “—meet you.” I followed this up with silence and a lot of it.
Craig released my fingers, his brows raised, and pursed his lips. “Well, this conversation has just been thrilling, Emily. We should do it again sometime.”
“Leave her alone,” uttered Noah, chuckling lightly. The second we approached the bus, Noah took my suitcase and threw it into the holding with the others. He looked down at me, knitting his brow. “That’s all you brought?”
Without thinking, I immediately responded, “That’s all I own,” and when Noah’s face turned solemn, the flush at my neck rose to heat my cheeks. I dipped my chin and held the small duffle close to my body.
Pity party down aisle two.
“Look who decided to show,” called Hell, and I glanced up at him, smiling. When he was at arm’s length, my smile widened and he returned it. “How you doing, Emmy?”
Emmy?
That was the second time he called me that and, after mild consideration, I decided I liked it.
Warmth spread through me. “Fine.” My smile turned into a grin. “How are you?”
“Bitchin’. You know how it is. All I do is kick ass and take names.”
Yes, they were words but the order of them was just baffling. I had no idea what he just said and that made me laugh. “I don’t know what that means.”
Hell looked down at me as if I were the cutest thing he’d ever seen and lifted his arm to rest it on top of my head, using me as a kickstand. “That’s because you’re so little.”
I couldn’t quit giggling, and from behind me, I heard a strong male belch. My eyes widened at Connor and he smirked. “Oh look. The help.”
Wow. Okay then.
Time apart clearly hadn’t changed his view of me.