Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“As much as I’d love to stay here all night, Aurora and I are meeting Roman at the pool in an hour,” Hollis says.
“Shilps and I are going to the movies,” Ashish announces.
“Bea and I are staying in.” Tristan rubs his mouth to hide a smile as he looks at his girlfriend.
Flip ignores him. “It’s chess night with Dred. She always kicks my ass.”
Ah, yes. Dred. Flip’s neighbor, member of Willy’s Badass Babe Brigade, and the one woman Flip truly has a completely platonic relationship with. He calls her his other “little sister.”
We settle the tab, and all the paired-up people link hands and head out.
Willy hugs Shilpa and excuses herself to the bathroom. She doesn’t even look in my direction. It’s not surprising. Her disdain for me is warranted.
Ashish arches an expectant brow. “You coming?”
“I’ll just finish this.” I hold up my half-full whiskey on the rocks. I’m probably four drinks in. “And make sure Willy gets to her car.” Then I’ll call a ride for me.
Shilpa hides a smile in Ash’s biceps. I pretend I don’t see her and also that I’m not this transparent.
He claps me on the shoulder. “Have a good night.”
“You too.”
I take a seat at the bar and scroll through my phone while I finish my drink. My Willy radar goes off a minute later. She’s halfway between me and the bathroom, talking to some guy.
The dude is gym fit with shoulders and biceps that pop, probably because he’s half flexing. All white-toothed smile and fancy clothes, he exudes confidence. He’ll need it with someone powerful like Willy. She could chew most men up and spit them out.
Her eyes dart my way briefly. I have a PhD in Willy’s body language, and based on her panicked expression and the way she’s crossing her arms, she’s desperate to escape. That’s rare for her. She’s usually calm, cool, and collected—apart from when she’s dealing with me.
I down the rest of my drink, slide out of the booth, roll my shoulders back, and head straight for her. As I get closer, I pick up some of their conversation. Her voice is pitchy; it’s the same tone as her voice memos after I tell her I’m running behind for a promo op. She believes I do it on purpose, but typically it’s a result of unfortunately timed boners.
Her eyes flare at my approach. “Dallas.” Her smile is manic as her hand closes around my forearm and she pulls me to her side.
“Here he is! This is him.” Her nails dig into my arm.
My dick is instantly rock solid. “Here I am.”
“Dallas, this is Bert. Bert, this is Dallas. My boyfriend.”
I’m already shocked that she’s willingly touching me, so I’m pretty sure I imagined the words my boyfriend. I look down at her, waiting for the punchline, but her smile is wide, and there’s real fear swimming in her eyes, as though she expects me to do something to embarrass her. Like deny it.
What she doesn’t realize is that I’ve been waiting a decade for this very moment. I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her into my side. She’s tall. Nearly six feet of curvy, perfect woman. “Luckiest man alive.” I barely have to bend at all as I press my lips to her temple. She always smells like summer. This is the best moment of my entire life. “Bert, it’s nice to meet you.” I extend my hand. My smile feels like it could split my face in two.
He takes it, grudgingly. “Dr. Bert Cleaver.”
“Seriously?” I ask. Whiskey lips have no filter.
“Yeah. I’m a cardiologist.”
“Huh. Good for you.” Why does Willy know a cardiologist? Is she having heart problems? Does all my bullshit cause her too much stress? She’s definitely been stressed lately. More than usual.
“Thanks.” His eyes move between us suspiciously. “How long have you two been a thing?”
“Oh, it’s new. Very new. We just made it official.” She looks up at me, imploring.
I jump in with both feet. “I can’t tell you how awesome it was when she finally said yes to being my girlfriend.” I kiss her temple again. Her nails dig into my ribs. My dick rejoices. “Gotta be honest, I’ve been trying for years to get the girl. And now, here we finally are.”
“Wow. That’s…” Bert swallows compulsively and smiles woodenly. “Well, I guess you turning me down for dinner makes sense.”
I plaster a smile on my face. “How do you two know each other?”
“We went out a couple of times,” Willy says.
“Four times. We went out four times,” Bert clarifies.
“Four times. Right.” Willy’s cheek brushes my chest.
I hug her tighter to my side.
“Your dating profile is still active,” Bert states.
“I need to take that down.” Her voice rises three octaves.
I smile and stroke her cheek, tipping her chin up so I can kiss the end of her nose. “Always keeping me on my toes.”