Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73035 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73035 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Oh.
Oh…
“Did…did she say what we had in common?” That was very vague…and slightly troubling.
Shaking his head, he studied me like I’d suddenly gotten more interesting. “No, but I think the fact that we both date men is part of it.”
Hmm, well, that was one question off my plate, but it didn’t answer anything else. It also didn’t tell me why he wasn’t angry anymore. Usually, people frowned and said I was weird, at the very least.
Before I could figure out where to go next with the conversation, he helpfully continued. “I signed a confidentiality agreement that said I can’t repeat anything we talk about without your permission.”
That was good to know.
When I just stared, still confused, he chuckled. “So…are we talking here or going out to dinner? It’s been a long day.”
Yes. It was getting late.
“Um, would you like to stay for dinner?” What did I have that I could make for him? The only thing I knew I had was fun stuff in the freezer. “I’m not prepared for guests, but…”
This just kept getting stranger and stranger, and some of what he’d said finally sank in.
“A confidentiality agreement? Really?” His immediate nod and the smirk that accompanied it made me wonder what she’d been thinking…and what exactly she’d said.
She was scary sometimes.
“Alright. Yes.” Nodding, I looked around and frowned. “What did you say your name was?”
Had he said what his name was?
“Gray.” This time as he straightened, he held out his hand. “I know some of your aunts and uncles, and unfortunately your grandmother, better than I do your stepfather.”
Yes, I could see how that would be stressful.
“I’m sorry.” Ignoring his laughter, I shrugged as I shook his hand. “They usually are well-intentioned?”
His snort said he didn’t buy that line either, but it also said we had at least that in common, so I stepped back from the door and waved him in. “One hour?”
Gray’s chuckle was happier as he nodded. “Yes, that was the deal.”
Yes, there was some kind of deal.
“Could you go over that one more time?” It still didn’t make sense, and I was hoping I’d missed something that would make it all sound more rational.
As I led him through the downstairs of the house and into the kitchen, he explained about the auction and about how Grandmother had bought him…well, she’d purchased his time actually, but that wasn’t much better.
When he was sitting down at the table with a glass of water, because for some reason I didn’t have anything else, I finally understood most of it. But I still had no idea what she’d been thinking.
“How about we say she booked your time in a professional capacity?” Wait. Did that sound like he was a prostitute?
He seemed to be trying not to laugh, so possibly.
“Never mind. I’d be very happy to do whatever I need to so that you can go, but I don’t know what paperwork you signed?” I wasn’t sure if any of that could be a problem later, but I was unexpectedly relieved when he shook his head.
For some reason, I wasn’t sure I wanted him to leave yet.
“No, we’ll do our hour and you can help me figure out what we have in common.” Leaning back in the chair, he took a sip of water before gesturing toward me. “I’m assuming you paint?”
Looking down in confusion, I realized I hadn’t changed clothes like I’d thought I had.
“Yes.” Frowning at the colorful mess I was wearing, I looked up to see him smiling again instead of telling me that I needed to go change and get presentable. “I mostly paint.”
“I run an art gallery.” Gray was looking thoughtful as he studied my shirt…and me probably. There was usually paint in all kinds of unexpected places. “Do you think that’s what your grandmother was talking about?”
Oh, I hoped so.
“Maybe?” Shrugging, I started wandering around the kitchen for dinner options. It wasn’t looking good. “She’s got strong opinions about me not using my talent enough?”
She had strong opinions about everything.
Gray chuckled as I started digging through the freezer to look for options. “Yes, I can see that. But—and please forgive me for being nosy—I don’t think that’s it. If it was, she could’ve just invited us to dinner at the same time and introduced us.”
That would’ve been logical.
If she’d just been thinking about the art.
Please let her have been thinking about the art.
“What else do we have in common, Camden?” Something about the way he said my name, low and with a hint of teasing, sent a shiver through me.
Thankfully, I’d already set the food down on the counter, so I didn’t think he’d noticed.
He had.
Somehow he’d ended up right behind me.
As he reached around me, he picked up the brightly colored box and turned it over to read the label like there was nothing curious going on. “I was expecting dinosaur nuggets, but ABCs are fun too.”