Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Almost too well.
“Well, that would be me,” she said, reaching into the fridge for three beers.
Both men shook their heads when she offered them.
Okay, just her, then.
She used the edge of the countertop to pop the lid off and took a sip.
Actually, maybe beer wasn’t the wisest choice on an upset stomach. When was the last time she’d eaten?
“You?” Hayes asked.
“Are you saying that you’ve been doing the renovations yourself?” Corbin asked.
“Yeah. That a problem?” She braced herself for their ridicule while trying to act like it didn’t matter to her.
Be casual.
What they think doesn’t affect you. It can’t hurt you.
Setting down her beer, she searched around in a cupboard and found a bag of Cheetos at the back.
Score!
Opening them, she took a handful before remembering her manners and offering them some. Again, they both shook their heads.
Their loss. More for her.
“That’s . . . that’s . . .” Hayes stumbled over his words.
“Ambitious,” Corbin said quickly. “And brave of you. I wouldn’t know where to start.”
Hmm, she got the feeling he was pretty good at anything he did.
“Well, online videos help a lot.”
“You . . . you’re doing this with online video help?” Hayes said in a strangled voice. “Please tell me you don’t do the electrical and plumbing yourself.”
“Okay. I won’t tell you that.” She had to bite her lip so she didn’t start laughing.
“None of us are staying here!” Hayes snapped.
“She’s joking,” Corbin told him. “Right, Bebe?”
She was chewing on a huge mouthful of Cheetos, so she just nodded.
Hayes eyed her suspiciously.
“Sorry the house is a bit of a mess. But it’s easier for me this way. I’m allergic to cleaning.”
Hayes mumbled something she couldn’t make out.
“I also can’t cook. So, you know, this is dinner and you might want to eat up.” She held out the bag of Cheetos to them.
“That is not dinner,” Corbin told her firmly. “And I know how to cook.”
“You do?” She gave him a delighted look. “Can you make lasagna?”
“Uh, sure.” He moved to the fridge and looked into it. “You’ve got creamer, cheese, and beer in here.”
“What? You can’t make lasagna from creamer, cheese and beer?” she asked.
“Well, you’ve got one of the major ingredients.”
“That’s the spirit!” She grinned at him. “I’ll go to the grocery store if you make me a list.”
“No, we’ll go,” Hayes told her. “I’ll come with you. Corbin, do you want to get started on the security system?”
“Uh, it’s after five,” she pointed out. “Aren’t you guys, like, off-duty or something?”
“We’re never really off-duty,” Corbin told her. “If you show us where we’re sleeping, I’ll get started on the shopping list. Afraid there’s not enough time for lasagna, though.”
“Bummer.”
“I’ll make a chicken salad and garlic bread.”
“Rock on.”
8
“Can you believe this place?” Hayes said later that night. He was leaning against the doorway to Corbin’s bedroom. Although, bedroom was a bit of a stretch. There was a bed, but it was jammed against one wall in a tiny room.
Corbin just shook his head. He’d wanted to insist that he be the one to take her to the grocery store. But that was ridiculous. He had no right to be jealous of Hayes spending time with her.
Bebe wasn’t his. Hell, he’d just met her. This was nuts.
“I know.”
“It should be condemned. Knocked down and started over. And she’s doing it herself? Why?” Hayes demanded.
Corbin didn’t get it either. Her father could easily bankroll the renovations on this place. But she probably didn’t want to be indebted to him.
But her mother had mentioned she had a trust fund. Wasn’t she using that?
None of it was really their business, though.
“Do you think her parents know she’s living like this?” Hayes asked.
“I guess so.”
“Wouldn’t let any daughter of mine live here. Let alone one who was receiving threats. I’m going to take the first night shift.”
Until the security system was set up, they’d decided to work in shifts so someone was always awake at night.
Hopefully, they could catch a nap during the day.
“Doesn’t really seem like a spoiled brat lives here, huh?” he murmured.
“She does seem reckless, though. That mess downstairs . . .” Hayes shook his head. “What if there’s a fire? An emergency, and we have to get out quick?”
“Then we grab her and get out.” Hayes had a mind that always went to the worst-case scenario, but Corbin understood where he was coming from.
Corbin was worried about her living in this place. The power tools were just lying around among bits of wood. Did she even unplug them when not in use? And why did she hardly have any food? Was it really because she couldn’t cook? Then what did she live on?
He understood pride. Not wanting to ask your parents for help. But why didn’t she get a job? When they asked her about her schedule over dinner, which she’d inhaled, she’d just shrugged and said she went with the flow.