Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 23426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I tell him all about my life back in Sacramento and why I moved. He’s hanging on every word. It’s intimidating to have such a gorgeous guy fully focused on me while I’m speaking, but it’s also pretty cool.
Just as I’m about to ask him about his life here in the Greene Mountains, Scott returns with the cake.
“I got to the part where Mr and Mrs Dursley wake up,” Scott says as he puts the cake on the counter.
I chuckle when I see it. There are paragraphs of text on the cake written in thin black icing. Even I have to admit that he did a pretty good job.
“That’s thirty-five dollars,” Scott says as he enters it into the cash register.
“Great,” Julian says as he pulls out his wallet. “And I’ll take twenty blueberry Danishes.”
“You don’t have to!” I say, jumping in.
Julian grins at me. “I told you, they’re delicious.”
Scott’s face scrunches up. “Those Danishes?” he says as he points at the disfigured ones I made.
“I want them,” Julian says in a firm voice. “They’re the best Danishes I’ve ever had.”
Scott is looking at him like he’s crazy, but he shrugs and then starts packing them up.
“Thank you,” I mouth to Julian while smiling shyly.
He winks at me and it makes me feel like the most special woman in the whole world.
I can’t wait to tell Trish that they’re all sold when she comes back. It’s the type of win I needed today.
He pays for everything and even insists on paying full price. He’s so freaking sweet.
“When can I see you again?” Julian asks.
“I work Sunday to Thursday,” Scott says. “You can come see me here. Or, we can go bowling or hang out in my room whenever you want. Do you like movie theories?”
I giggle behind my hand.
“I was talking to the lady.”
Scott turns back and looks at me. “Oh.”
“I’m free tonight,” I say with a playful shrug.
“I’ll take you out for dinner,” he says like it’s a statement and not a question. “I’ll pick you up at eight?”
“Eight works,” I say, trying to hide the explosive smile that’s trying to burst out.
He takes his Harry Potter cake and his large bag of gnarled Danishes and smiles at me. “See you then.”
We look at each other for a long moment and then he leaves with a smile.
I immediately turn to the window and watch him cross the street with my pulse racing.
Scott stands beside me at the window. “Can I come too?”
Chapter Seven
Abby
I slip out the back door a few minutes before Julian is supposed to pick me up. Excited nerves tingle through me as the cool evening breeze washes over my face.
I hope I look okay. I hope he’s going to like me.
I’m wearing a white summer dress that makes me look curvier than I am and some open-toed flats that aren’t so bad to walk in. I’m having an amazing hair day and my makeup turned out really well. I look pretty damn good, I must say.
My heart is thumping as I walk around the building to the sidewalk. I spot him waiting for me, looking ravishing in some beige chino pants and a short-sleeved buttoned-down collared shirt. The sleeves are rolled up on his biceps once or twice and the sight of those carved muscular arms are making me a little lightheaded.
“Wow,” he whispers when he spots me approaching. “You are stunning.”
I smile shyly, my cheeks blushing again. “Thank you,” I say. “You look very nice too.”
Which is the understatement of the century…
The sun is starting to set, but it’s summer, so it’s taking its time. The vast Montana sky is a gorgeous panorama of vibrant colors and vivid mountain peaks. The moon is out and some party animal birds are still out in the sky, flying past their bedtime. It’s perfect. A perfect night for a date that might change everything.
“I’m happy to see you’re still alive,” I say with a shy laugh. “My Danishes didn’t kill you.”
“No,” he says with a playful grin. “But I think they chipped a tooth.”
“Sorry, no refunds,” I say with my palms up. “You buy my baking at your own risk.”
He laughs and all of the nervous nerves are replaced with excited ones. This is going to be a fun date.
“What did you do with that Harry Potter cake?” I ask. “Are you going to throw a Hogwarts-themed party?”
“Maybe I will. But sorry, no Hufflepuffs allowed.”
“No fair.”
“Maybe I could make an exception for the hot local baker,” Julian says with a grin. “Did you see how much text that guy put on it? It was impressive.”
“I just hope the bakery doesn’t get sued for copyright infringement,” I say with a laugh.
He smiles at me. “My mouth is sealed.”
I hope it’s not sealed for long… I want another one of those delicious kisses.