Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 94546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
He was lying, but I happily played along as if he didn’t.
After shutting up my cell phone, I roll over to greet Jack with a good morning peck. My lips touch nothing but air when I discover the other side of my bed is empty. As I jackknife into a half-seated position, my eyes shoot around the room. Jack’s pants he only removed after shuffling from the entryway to my bedroom are no longer by the door, and his watch isn’t on the bedside table.
I flop back with a groan before tossing my arm over my eyes. It was presumptuous of me to think he’d sleep over two nights in a row, but he seemed so comfortable in my place yesterday. If you had only met him, you’d have no clue he’s a multimillionaire.
Perhaps he took more heart to his sister’s worries after having a moment to consider them. Although I can’t testify that their confrontation yesterday was about me, it gave off that vibe. Marissa’s eyes were full of remorse when she said goodbye to Caleb and me, but something was still off about her. I could have pressed the matter further, but come on, tell me you wouldn’t have responded the same way I did after hearing a man pretty much say your entrance into his life was a gift. I was lost for words as I am now when a delicious smell wafts under my closed bedroom door.
More impatient than I am prudent, I curl the messy bedsheet around my body before exiting my room. My steps quicken when I recognize the smell. Not because I’m excited to eat Loco Moco for breakfast, but because there is only one man I know who makes that dish.
Jack.
My theory is proven accurate when I burst into the kitchen with so much spring in my step I almost barrel Caleb over. He’s leaning against the refrigerator, talking to Jack while drinking orange juice out of the carton.
I snatch the carton out of his grasp before nudging my head to the glasses, then I shift on my feet to face Jack. “Good morning.” Either my voice is croaky from just waking up or the number of screams I released last night. I’d say it is most likely a bit of both. “Did anyone tell you it is not customary to eat rice for breakfast?”
“Depends who you ask.” He kisses my temple in a way that makes my heart melt before he gets back to frying eggs with the spatula Jess lent us last night. It is clean, along with the table we left in a horrible condition.
Grimacing, I spin back around to face Caleb before handing him the orange juice. He can drink anything he likes out of the carton if it keeps him quiet about the mess we left in our wake last night.
“Oh… no… you’ve gone and got yourself confused, girl,” Caleb pushes out with a hearty chuckle when it dawns on him why I’m being overly accommodating. “I did not tidy up after you.”
My brows furrow in confusion. “Then who did?”
Caleb shrugs before he shoots his eyes in Jack’s direction. “He was awake when I came home this morning, so perhaps you should ask him.”
I don’t know what task to tackle first. Jack and his ability not to sleep or where Caleb slept last night.
“And we’re also not going there anytime soon.” After pressing his lips to a similar area Jack’s did only moments ago, Caleb peers at Jack over my head. “Fitz, right?”
Jack dips his chin. “I’ll call ahead and let him know you’re coming. He will show you the ropes.”
My eyes dart between Caleb and Jack, completely lost. The faintest pink hue on Jack’s cheeks keeps him quiet, but mercifully, Caleb has no issues communicating with his favorite cousin. “Jack offered me a job. It’s at the bottom of the totem pole, but he said I could work my way up.”
My heart warms that Jack already knows Caleb well enough to know he wouldn’t accept a job with the hierarchies on the top floor. He likes to start at the trenches and build his way up. It is the way he’s always been. That’s why he agreed to move to Seattle with me and have a fresh start. We’ve not exactly made it, but we’re living our life the best we can.
“That’s fantastic, Caleb. I’m so happy for you.” I hug him before pulling back to arm’s length. “But does that mean I have to share the cooking responsibilities again now?”
Caleb laughs. “From what I’m seeing, probably not.” He nudges his head to Jack, who’s doing a good job of pretending he isn’t eavesdropping before he drops his eyes to mine. “I like him.”
“You do?” In my excitement, I almost vocalize my question instead of mouthing it.