Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“We’re just getting started. You ain’t seen nothing yet.” His tone was matter-of-fact, but his slow smile showed a certain amount of pride in his work.
“Well, I appreciate the help, especially on short notice.”
“No problem.” Cal dusted off his work gloves before removing them. “Wish your boyfriend tolerated me more.”
“Boyfriend?” I tried hard not to squeak like Marta or Kyla might. Not that the term was inaccurate, and I’d been the one waxing poetic that morning to Worth about being partners, but it still felt weird, being publicly linked to the guy I’d dreamed about for so many years.
“It’s about time someone other than us is in the gossip hot seat.” Mouth twisting, Cal offered a lopsided smile.
“Worth isn’t exactly my…” I struggled with how much to tell Cal. I was far closer to Holden, Monroe, and even Knox. Not that I’d give them the lowdown either. Both because of privacy and because I hadn’t figured everything out myself. And there was the teeny matter of Worth not agreeing on whether we were a thing. “I’m not sure there’s a label for it…”
“Oh, there’s a word all right.” Cal chuckled darkly. “Probably not in your vocabulary though.”
“You’d be surprised,” I snapped back.
“Maybe so,” Cal allowed, studying me closer.
“And Worth doesn’t hate you. It’s complicated.”
“Feelings generally are.” He stared off into the summer sun, gaze distant. He might sound pragmatic, but he’d seen some stuff. “Hey, there’s your guy now.”
I followed Cal’s gaze across the parking lot to Worth’s shiny sports car. As he exited, he smiled, sunlight glinting off his dark-gold hair. God, I loved when he smiled so freely, dimples showing, no hint of inner pain. I wanted to make Worth happy in the worst way. I’d told Worth it couldn’t be my job, but I wanted it to be. I knew better than to think I could fix another person, but Worth made me forget everything other than how much I wanted him. Needed him.
Loved him. I wouldn’t say the word around Worth, of course. But in my own head? Who cared if others would say my feelings were too fast. I’d waited thirty-five years for Worth Stapleton to notice me, and now he had.
I’d told Marta to enjoy the moment, not worry about the future. Maybe that was the key. Figuring out how to love Worth in the now and deal with the possibility of letting him go in the future.
“Hey, Sam.” And then he turned that full-wattage smile on me, and I could barely breathe, let alone remember what I’d reasoned out. Forget pragmatic. I was all-in with Worth.
Chapter Twenty
Worth
Sam was waiting for me as I crossed the parking lot of Blessed Bean. I smiled, caught by surprise at the unexpected pleasure of having someone to return to, someone who was genuinely excited to see me. Not a paid coworker or social-climbing hanger-on, but someone happy to see me exactly as I was right then—nominally employed, mental health work-in-progress, and all.
“How’d your meeting go?” Sam asked as I reached the patio-in-progress.
“Fine,” I lied. I’d gone because I was many things, but a liar wasn’t one of them. However, it had been supremely uncomfortable sitting in a circle of folding chairs with a bunch of strangers, all of us new to battling depression and anxiety. No one had spoken much, but the chipper young counselor leading the session had at least been a sunny distraction. “A little boring, honestly.”
“I’m still glad you went.” Sam reached out and rubbed my upper arm. He wanted me to go for my own reasons, and maybe I’d get there eventually, but for now, if it was this important to him that I try the group, I’d keep going.
“I stopped by the house on my way back and let Buttercup out. She and Delilah were napping together.”
“Seriously?” Sam blinked, eyes creasing adorably in the bright afternoon sunlight. The sun made his hair glow more red than usual and his freckles stood out like little flags, inviting me to kiss each one. Alas, we were in front of his place of business, and no kissing was likely to occur.
“Yep. No claws or fangs involved.” I laughed and leaned into his grip on my arm. I might not get kisses, but I could enjoy the casual touch. “I think they like each other.”
“I’m amazed.” As Sam laughed, an unfamiliar laugh joined in. My gaze finally left Sam’s face to discover we weren’t alone. Cal. How had I missed him also standing on the patio? He’d been working when I left, so I shouldn’t have been surprised, yet I was. My whole focus had been on Sam, and unreasonable as it was, I resented the intrusion.
“Hey, even us cranky souls need companionship, right?” Cal chuckled, but I didn’t. I didn’t like the implication that he and I had anything in common. Simply sharing a joke with him felt…wrong somehow. Disloyal. To whom, I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t shake the dark mood rapidly chasing away my bright afternoon.