Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
These three women are the only reason I leave my house some weeks. For laughs and gossip and, glancing down I stir the straw in my drink, a damn good sangria.
“So are they dating then?” Marlena says lowly, a spark of mischief in her eyes and a smile plastered on her face as she questions.
“Well if they aren’t,” Gemma answers between sips, “they are most certainly screwing.”
Lauren claps leaning back in her chair, “It’s about time they went for it!”
Gemma’s coworkers have been the topic of conversation for weeks now. From the two coworkers staring a little too long, leaving work early at the same time and most recently, staying later together and getting caught red handed.
“I hope they are,” my little romantic heart speaks for me, “they would make such a cute couple.”
“I’m just happy she’s getting laid. It’s been years, hasn’t it?” Lauren questions. She’s far more… reasonable than me. More grounded. Whereas any of these ladies would say I live in a happy little bubble. I guess when you’re an editor of fantasy sagas and romance novels it’s easy to get lost in a world that lends itself to happily ever afters.
The conversation continues but the typical giddiness is replaced by a nervousness I’ve felt ever since I left the doctor’s office.
Marlena’s house is just across the street from me and I find myself glancing up to look at my driveway as Gemma continues filling us in on the details of the office drama.
He should be here in the next twenty minutes.
“What time is he coming again?” Lauren asks and I turn to see all three of them staring at me. Gem is at odds with Marlena in the clothing department, a cotton sundress right beside gray sweats and a simple cotton tee.
With all three set of eyes staring, my ears burn and my face heats. “He said he would pick me up around six.”
“I want to know what shoes he’s going to wear,” Gemma comments as Marlena tells me the pleated navy sundress is perfect. I have a white button down cashmere cardigan to pair with it and white sandals too. Not too dressy but not too casual.
“What shoes?” Lauren scrunches her nose, the ice in her sangria clinking against the glass as she leans forward questioning Gemma’s reasoning.
“Well I’ve noticed if they wear sneakers on the first date they aren’t going to put effort in.” Marlena laughs and Lauren waves her off, all the while butterflies flutter in my lower belly.
I couldn’t count the number of times I thought about Bennet asking me out … while wearing his cleats after a game in high school. Instead of commenting, I simply take another sip of sangria and silently ask the cocktail to calm my nerves.
It doesn’t seem to be helping. With every minute that passes, the anxiousness only soars.
“It’s going to be fine,” Lauren reassures me as the porch swing ebbs and flows. Her brow is arched as she brings the straw to her lips. She eyes me like she knows I’m overthinking everything. I’ve known these women for all my life in this small town, so they probably know every thought flying through my head right now.
“At least you know he likes your boobs,” Marlena says with a shrug and girlish smile and Gemma snickers into her drink before covering her grin.
Lauren doesn’t try to hide her laugh.
“I’m not even sure he really saw,” I tell them as I yet again glance up to check my driveway.
They all answer in unison, “He saw.”
“There is a zero chance he didn’t see.” Lauren puts a finality on it.
A violent blush creeps into my cheeks. I almost tell them what I saw as he left the room, but I keep that piece of information to myself. At least for now, another sangria and depending on how tonight goes and I might spill it.
There’s a golden rule with these wine down Wednesdays: what’s confessed on Marlena’s porch, stays on Marlena’s porch.
BENNET
You learn something new every day. As I read the message from Steve, a good buddy of mine and currently my landlord since I’m renting his place until I find my own, my brow cocks.
Tommy moved away and has four kids.
He adds: So go for it. We all thought you two were going to get together after high school anyway.
I almost text him, Maybe we would have, if I hadn’t moved away. I delete the message and let out an uneasy sigh. It’s a simple story. I had a crush on Bree, but I was too young and dumb and nervous with puppy dog feelings to do anything about it. Then I left for college, then med school, then an internship and I’ve only just come back.
I’m damn surprised, and damn lucky too, that she’s single. Even more surprised that the first week back we stumbled into each other’s paths like we did.