Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Monroe shrugs. “Doesn’t matter now.” The look that she gives me has me believing her.
“Well, I’m starving. Let's eat.” Her mom links her arm with her dad's and turns to give the hostess their name for our table.
I bend my head, my lips next to Monroe’s ear. “Just like that?” I ask.
She smiles. “Just like that. They trust me. They know you’re a good man, Legend.”
“They don’t know me.”
“They know Emerson, and they know Forrest. They lump you in with my association. I’ve talked about all of you over the years, and I can admit my crush has been noted.” Her cheeks pinken. “This is going to work out. I’m the best candidate because of our extended history. Now, stop stressing so much, boyfriend, and feed your girl.” Her grin is infectious.
Placing my hand on the small of her back, we follow her parents to the booth. I slide in next to her, and she snuggles up close to me.
“What sounds good, babe?” she asks.
“Not sure yet,” I reply, still wrapping my head around her parents’ easy acceptance of us.
“I kind of want the chicken strips and fries. They’re hand-breaded and are so good, but I also kind of want the steak and shrimp.”
“You get one, I’ll get the other. You can have both.”
“You sure?”
I press my lips to her temple. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Aw,” her mom coos.
I stiffen. It’s easy to forget there’s anyone else in the room when I have Monroe’s full attention. I scoot over just a tad. Well, I try to. My new girlfriend isn’t having any of it. She loops her arm through mine to hold me still.
We make small talk with her parents about what they’re going to order, and to my surprise, they do the same thing as us, ordering two meals with the intention of sharing.
“She gets it honest.” Her dad chuckles. “This one can never decide. We always end up sharing.”
“Dear, I think he knows her pretty well. He agreed easily enough. I’m sure this isn’t the first time for them,” her mom says.
“Nope,” Monroe chirps.
She thinks I made the offer to impress her parents. And while that might be true, it’s also who I am. She’s mine. We may be pretending, but in the eyes of the world and the law, she’s going to be my wife, and I’ll treat her accordingly. Just because I’ve never found a woman to become my world doesn’t mean I don’t know how to treat her and make her feel as though she is.
Our food is delivered, and the four of us eat and continue with the easy conversation. We talk about the shop, Monroe’s job, her parents’ cruise, and all the while, Monroe and I eat off each other's plates. It’s not something I’ve done before, but then again, I don’t date. I don’t mind sharing anything of mine with her. Monroe is one of those people who are easy as hell to be around and talk to. She’s gorgeous, smart, loyal, and well, she’s the total package. We’re pretending, but I’m one lucky son of a bitch to have her be mine. Any man would be, but I’m starting to see that there might not be a man who’s actually good enough for her. The more time we talk and spend together, my fondness for her grows. We’re a week into this thing, and I’m already struggling.
Not that I’ll ever tell her that. We made a deal, and I won’t go back on that.
I’m going to enjoy this time with her.
“You kids have fun. Be safe,” Monroe tells her parents as we’re standing outside on the sidewalk.
“Legend, thank you for dinner. You didn’t have to do that.” Her dad offers me his hand.
“It was my pleasure.”
“Are you coming home tonight?” Monroe’s mom asks.
“I’ll probably stay at Legend’s. We’re going to have lunch with his parents tomorrow,” she tells them. She steps out of my arms and hugs them both. “I love you.”
“You, too, sweetheart,” they say at the same time.
“Big weekend for the two of you as well.” Her mom smiles at us.
“Yeah, everyone has been really supportive. Not that it matters. We’re in this.” She turns to look at me over her shoulder, and I hold my arm out, inviting her into my embrace. She steps into me, wrapping her arms around me.
“Oh, Monroe, I have something for you. Come with me to the car.” Her mom motions toward their car that’s a few spots down, and Monroe releases me, following along behind her.
“She’s our entire world,” her dad says once they are out of earshot.
“Yes, sir.” I don’t really know how to reply to that. Maybe I should have said she was my entire world, too, but “yes, sir” was the best I could do.
“You’re quite a bit older than my daughter.”