Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
She smiled and I nearly stumbled. Mom thought it was from being sick, but that had nothing to do with it. It was from the woman standing in front of me. Her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, no makeup on, and a smile that made my heart feel like it was tripping over itself. She was the reason I had lost my balance. Everything about Clare seemed to make me off balance.
“Your fever broke, and you don’t need me here watching over you.”
But I want you here.
“Um, thank you, Clare. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. Now I expect you to be there for me if I get sick.”
I nodded. “I will be.”
Something moved across her face, but it was gone before I could read it. She turned to my mother. “It was so good seeing you again, Jennifer. I’ll leave you to take care of our patient.”
My mother pulled Clare in for a hug and whispered something into her ear. Clare drew back and grinned before turning her attention on me.
“If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Do you need a ride home?” I asked.
“No, I called an Uber.”
Turning to open the door, I found myself calling out her name. “Clare?”
She glanced back. “Yeah?”
“Thanks again.”
With a wave, she replied, “Sure thing. Bye!”
“Bye, sweetheart,” Mom said as she walked out into the hallway. “Thank you again, Clare!”
I turned and walked back over to the couch and sat down. I stared at the chair across from me and realized that the last two days had been miserable and wonderful all at the same time.
The door softly clicked shut and I heard Mom moving around in the kitchen. I glanced down and saw a book sitting on the coffee table. It was the book Clare had been reading. Reaching for it, I picked it up.
Dare Me by Samantha Chase.
“Now why can’t you find a girl like Clare, Wes? She has everything. Beauty, brains, a kind heart.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything. Instead, I leaned back, opened the book, and began reading.
Clare
Parties and Stolen Kisses
The surprise anniversary party at Preston and Harmony’s house for Wes’s parents, was a hit. They were both surprised and had no clue the kids had been planning the party. The decorations screamed romance, winter, love, and holiday, all in one, and I, for one, was glad we had all taken the time to make them. It made everything just more personal.
I glanced around the room at all the couples and realized that Wes and I were the only two single people in the group. Even Angie brought a date.
Blowing out a breath, I made my way to the makeshift bar and asked for another glass of champagne. Once I had that in hand, I turned to the food table. Rory and Harmony had decided to keep the party simple with finger foods so that people could mingle and nibble at the same time. The cake, however, was beautiful, and I was dying for them to cut into it so I could try it. It was a Snickers cake. Their parents both loved Snickers, and my mouth watered every time I looked at the damn thing.
“If you keep looking at the cake like that, I’m going to start to get jealous,” Wes softly said as he came up behind me.
Letting out a soft groan, I replied, “When can we cut the cake? It’s sinful to tease everyone with it. And if I’m being honest, a tad bit cruel to keep us waiting for dessert like this.”
“Be honest with me,” Wes said, standing next to me now. “How badly do you want to run your finger through the caramel that is running down the cake.”
I put my fist up to my hand. “It’s taking everything I have not to do it. I mean, look at that thing! It’s practically begging for someone to taste it.”
“Okay, I have plan. I’ll keep a look out, you take this spoon and get a smidge of it. Then you keep an eye out for me.”
Laughing, I playfully elbowed him. “Stop it. I am not about to do that to your parents’ anniversary cake. We can wait.”
He sighed. “Can we, though? If I have to eat one more of those little meatball things, I’m going to explode. Whose idea was it to serve this kind of food? I’m a man…I need more than appetizers to hold me over.”
Turning to face him, I leaned in so no one else would hear. “I did see some chicken salad sandwiches in the kitchen.”
Wes raised his brows. “For real?”
I gave him a mock hurt look. “I would never lie about food.”
With a quick glance around, he whispered, “You go to the kitchen first, then I’ll follow.”
Before I turned to walk to the kitchen, he grabbed my hand. “Don’t eat them all!”