Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
She laughed, stepping back and withdrawing her hand. “Trainer by day, damsel rescuer by night—is that how it is? Good plan.”
I laughed. “With the move you just pulled, you didn’t really need me. Impressive.”
She shrugged. “A girl needs to protect herself.” She sighed. “Okay, I have to finish up and head home. Thanks again, Ronan. I hope to see you again.”
She moved away before I could say anything else. I paused, but I took my cue, picking up my bag and the container of cake. I quickly dropped a couple of extra twenties into her jar, then headed outside. She deserved them after dealing with that jerk. I glanced at the gym across the street then behind me at the diner. She thought I worked at the gym. Twice, she had mentioned it, and I never dissuaded her.
I headed back to the office, throwing my bag in the back of my car and driving toward the condo. I wondered why I hadn’t told her. The first time, it didn’t really matter—she was my waitress and it didn’t seem worthwhile to correct her. The second time, though, I should have told her I just worked out there on occasion, not let her assume I actually worked at the gym. I was an honest guy, so I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t fixed her wrong assumption.
Except, it had been nice to be just Ronan for a bit. Just a guy having a burger after work. Not one of the triplets. Not the son of the rich business tycoon Aiden Callaghan. Or the wealthy man I was in my own right. Beth had zero clue who I was, and it seemed as if she didn’t care.
After what had happened to me the year before, I liked that.
And the bottom line was, aside from the occasional night I went to the gym, I probably wouldn’t see her. I had no idea of her schedule, hadn’t inquired, or even asked her for her number. Maybe she didn’t work every night. Maybe I had imagined that connection I felt toward her. Maybe I had been the only one to feel it. For all I knew, she had a boyfriend. She hadn’t offered her number either, so perhaps the odd sensations had been only on my end.
I parked in the garage and headed up to my empty condo, wondering why those thoughts made me feel strangely sad.
Chapter Three
Beth
Ronan disappeared around the corner. I absently wiped the tabletop, watching his long strides as he moved away, a strange ache in my chest when I could no longer see him.
He’d caught my attention the moment he entered the diner. I was sure he caused that reaction most places he went since he definitely stood out in the crowd. He was tall and broad. Massive. His shoulders were wide, his arms thick, sinewy and strong. I was fascinated by the way his forearms rippled with muscles as he moved them. He used his hands a lot when talking, drawing my eyes to the sexy gestures.
When I approached his table, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had seen him come from the gym, and I assumed he was one of the many trainers who worked there. He certainly looked like one. Quite often, the staff at the gym ordered a salad or the protein plate to go. They rarely engaged much if they ate in. One had pushed me constantly about becoming a member, only stopping when I informed him there was no way I could afford their fees. He had paid his bill and left after that, and I hadn’t seen him again.
Ronan’s voice surprised me. It was surprisingly low, rich, and deep. He spoke softly, although his words were clear and easy to hear. But when he laughed, the sound boomed. I had a feeling he laughed a lot at times from the crinkles around his beautiful green eyes. Bright and warm, they were set off by long lashes under thick eyebrows that suited his masculine face. His nose was long and straight, his wavy hair a deep brown that brushed the back of his shirt. Scruff showed off his expansive jaw. His smile was wide and friendly.
I also noticed a trace of sadness in his eyes, even when he smiled. But he was polite and charming. His order surprised me. I liked how he responded to my teasing. The massive amount of food he inhaled wasn’t what I expected, but then again, I had a feeling nothing Ronan did was the norm.
He ate slowly, cleaning off every plate I had brought him. I’d made sure to add lots of extras to the salad and that his burger was hot and had extra pickles when he mentioned he loved them. I cut his piece of hummingbird cake larger than normal, hoping he would enjoy it.