Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“Don’t be sorry. That was the most excitement I’ve had in the last hour.”
“The last hour?” she asked with amusement. “Was the rest of your day pretty exciting?”
“More than you’d think.”
Huh. She’d never have guessed that being a real estate agent could be that exciting.
She fiddled with the sleeves of her sweatshirt, drawing them over her hands. “Anyway, I am sorry about that. You didn’t have to come to my defense. I just hope it doesn’t bite you in the butt.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Do you really not know who Brad is? He’s the deputy mayor. Laura’s father is the mayor.”
She waited for his reaction, his chagrin. She should have tried to pull him away before Laura started her shit. Or told him then who she was. It wasn’t fair that he didn’t know what he’d been getting himself into.
“Am I supposed to be worried because her dad is the mayor?” he asked, sounding amused.
“Uh, well, he kind of gives her whatever she wants.” She felt so exhausted. She just wanted to go home and crawl into bed.
“So that’s why she’s a spoiled little bitch?”
She winced. “Yes. I just hope she doesn’t complain to her dad to get him to make things hard for you.” She nibbled at her lip. “Will you tell me if that happens?”
He studied her. “You’re worried about me?”
“Well, yes, of course. You stood up for me. You don’t deserve for anything bad to happen to you.”
“Many would disagree with you,” he said quietly.
“What?”
“I said you’re very sweet.”
She didn’t think that was what he’d said at all, but she decided not to argue with him. That would be rude. Especially when he’d been her knight in shining armor today.
“I’ll be fine.” Reaching out slowly, he brushed back a stray strand of her hair.
She waited for her skin to crawl. But instead it just heated where his fingers touched her.
What was wrong with her? Why was she reacting to him like this? This was . . . odd. Touch wasn’t a casual thing for her. It took a lot to let someone close.
Usually.
But it felt like her body knew him.
This wasn’t normal. She stepped back, accidentally whacking her head against the pole behind her.
“Ow.” Tears filled her eyes and Frank’s eyes narrowed.
“Be careful,” he scolded. “You could really hurt yourself.” He slid his hand behind her head and touched it lightly. “Does that hurt?”
“Oh no, it’s fine.” She didn’t want to make a fuss.
He leaned in so his face was level with hers. “Are you lying to me, little one?”
A shiver ran through her. Yep, she definitely had to get away from this guy.
Way. Too. Potent.
And he was giving off a Daddy vibe that called to her. But she didn’t know him. And this . . . this wasn’t good.
“I have, um, to, um, go.” And now she was stumbling over her words. Awesome. She was a complete mess.
Instead of trying to get her to stay, he stepped back, his gaze filling with understanding.
Oh, great.
He knew. He knew what had happened to her. And now he thought he’d triggered her or something.
Yep, she really had to go.
Shame and humiliation twisted in her tummy.
“Thanks for your, uh, help.”
She had to get out of here. But she needed creamer.
Get creamer and bananas. Get out.
After grabbing some creamer, she moved up to a check-out. She dropped her wallet and nearly burst into tears.
This was ridiculous.
Be stronger.
She tried to calm down, but she could feel herself heading toward a panic attack.
Not here. Not here.
She could fall apart in her car. But she wasn’t going to be more fodder for gossip. Grabbing her wallet, she took a deep breath and held it. Then let it out slowly. Somehow, she managed to pay for her groceries. Everything became a bit of a blur as she made it to her car.
It took her three attempts to unlock her car and she collapsed into the driver’s seat. Her bananas got even more bruised as she threw them onto the passenger seat.
She wasn’t sure how long she sat there. Eventually, she had this strange feeling of being watched. But when she glanced around, she couldn’t see anyone.
The odd thing was, this wasn’t the first time she’d felt like this. In fact, she felt like this a lot. Sometimes even when she was at home. She’d wake up in the middle of the night with this feeling that someone was in her room.
There was something wrong with her. When the story first came out about the senator, she’d felt hunted. Talked about. There were whispers and pitying looks. She’d had reporters watching her, following her, eager for her story.
“Come on, get it together.” Starting her car, she carefully backed out of her parking space.
Looking around, she spotted Brad and Laura standing by a late-model BMW. Laura was gesturing wildly and when she stepped to the side, Autumn gasped in shock as she took in the other woman’s car.