Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“I don’t know. She has very firm ideas about what’s right and wrong. Both of my parents do. They didn’t talk to me for a couple of weeks when I moved in with Justin.”
“Really?” I never told Becca about this because it was upsetting to talk about and because she had her own problems at the time, but she sounds more surprised than I would have expected. “You needed a place to stay!” she says. “Our apartment was condemned.”
“I know, but they said I should have moved back home if living with Justin was my only other option, even though they turned my old bedroom into a sewing room long ago.”
I don’t tell her that they actually referred to me staying with Justin as “living in sin.” It makes them sound like they’re ancient.
“I know I’m a grown woman,” I say, “and I don’t need to follow my parents’ rules anymore, but going against them on this issue would be a pretty big deal.”
Becca leans on the counter across from me, a sympathetic look on her face. “I guess I can’t give any advice on parental issues, my relationship with my mom being what it is.”
“In addition to all of that,” I say, “I want to be in a serious, long-term relationship with someone. I’m looking for marriage potential, and having fun with four male strippers doesn’t seem like it would further that goal.”
My friend shakes her head, even as she looks at me with affection. “Listen to what you just said, Jade. ‘Fun with four male strippers.’ That’s a no brainer if I’ve ever heard one.”
“We are so different. It’s amazing that we get along so well,” I say laughing. “I can’t imagine being in a relationship with men who take their clothes off for other women.”
“Even though your goal is to find a forever love, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time while you’re looking for Mr. Right. Just look at me. All I ever wanted was some quick fun, and I found love when I least expected it.”
“You’re saying that if I fool around with the strippers we might fall in love with each other?”
“Anything can happen,” she says, “but my main point is that having fun with them doesn’t need to get in the way of your search for husband material. You can hook up with four hot men and still date men you think are more suitable, too. Men you can bring home to your parents.”
“So you’re saying I can have my cake and eat it too?” I ask.
“I mean …” Becca stretches her arms wide, gesturing to our surroundings. “You do work in a bakery, after all.”
14
The right partner
About an hour after Becca leaves, more familiar faces come through the door. Four faces, to be exact, the ones that have been starring in my dreams at night, and throughout much of the day.
It’s always a thrill to see them, but today it’s accompanied by a massive amount of embarrassment.
“How are you feeling?” Dodge asks.
“Okay. People have been pushing aspirin on me all day.”
“I’d have never pegged you for such a party girl,” Maddox says with a sexy smile.
I groan and turn partially away from them, resisting the urge to cover my face.
“Hangover aside, did you have a good time last night?” Chase asks.
“From what I remember, yeah,” I say, “I had too much of a good time. I wasn’t expecting you to bring me on stage!”
“We couldn’t resist,” Diesel says. “Did you like it?”
I hated being in front of the crowd and under a spotlight, but I loved being close to all of them. “Parts of it,” I admit.
“Which parts?” Maddox asks, touching his body. “Abs, shoulders … other parts?”
I groan, exasperated. “You’re the worst!” My tone makes it clear that I actually think he’s the furthest thing from the worst. “Thank you for taking me home, by the way,” I say, turning toward the twins. “I’m sorry that I needed to be carried.”
“You remember that?” Dodge asks.
“Not clearly. Rachel filled me in this morning.”
Dodge nods. “Ah, I see.”
“Also, I’m very grateful that you were gentlemen. Thank you.” This part isn’t entirely true. I wish they’d have slept with me last night because then I could have blamed alcohol for my bad behavior. And no matter how drunk I was, I have a feeling that I’d have remembered every second of it.
“We’re always gentlemen,” Diesel says, “but we’re not saying it was easy.”
“Your hair looked beautiful last night,” Dodge says. “Actually, all of you did.”
“Thank you.” My hand goes to the band on my ponytail self-consciously. “I have to wear it pulled back at work.”
“Of course,” Maddox says. “We understand. We have a dress code at our work too.”
“Don’t you mean an undress code?” I tease, and my heart soars when Maddox and the twins crack up and Chase’s face broadens in a big grin.