Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Hell, the guy is running circles in my mind, and I don’t even know his name.
“Earth to Charli,” I hear Lex, one of the waitresses, say as she starts snapping in my face, demanding my attention.
Shit. There I go again, daydreaming about the sexy stranger.
“Oh, sorry,” I say with a cringe, glancing across at her. “What do you need?”
“I was trying to ask if you wanted to come out with me tonight?” she asks as we busily finish up our shift on Thursday night, wiping down the tables and checking everything is in order before we can close up.
“I was completely lost in my own head. Where are you going?” I ask, not really sure I want to be going anywhere with Lex. She’s been nice enough, but she’s got a wild streak, and the way she openly flirts with the customers is just too much.
“Not sure,” she shrugs. “My boyfriend was taking me somewhere and asked if I wanted to bring some friends along.”
“I don’t know, Lex,” I say, glancing at the time and realizing it’s after eleven. “It’s already late. Plus, tomorrow night is game night, and if the hockey team comes in again, I’ll be working until at least three in the morning.”
“Come on,” she insists with a groan. “Don’t be such a bore. You’ve been here for three weeks and haven’t gone anywhere apart from this old bar. It’s about time you meet some new people and enjoy yourself, don’t you think?”
Damn it. Why did she have to word it like that?
I start mentally mapping out the very limited supply of clothes in my closet, not feeling great about this but knowing I should still take her up on her offer. “I don’t really have anything to wear.”
“I have my whole closet in my car,” she tells me. “I’ll grab us a few things and we can head up to your apartment to get ready. It’ll be fun. We can have a few drinks and shake our asses, then I’ll get Eddie to meet us here.”
Shit. Why do I feel as though I’m going to regret this?
“Fine,” I grumble, finally relenting.
Lex gives me a beaming smile, showing off those pearly whites. Despite my reservations, I know she’s right. I’ve been here for weeks and still haven’t managed to meet any friends or even leave my apartment for a night out. Maybe this is just what I need to break out of my shell.
Just as Lex had promised, she hurries out to her car and returns with a few different options. All of them are much more revealing than I would have liked, but beggars can’t be choosers. Once Micky’s is closed up, we head up to my apartment and rifle through all the options, mixing and matching with some of the stuff I already have until the look is perfect.
I take myself in and am pleasantly surprised. I’ve never owned decent clothing before or anything that actually makes me feel like a woman, but this has got me feeling like sex on legs. A pair of baggy suede boots come up to mid-thigh while an oversized sweater drops down below my ass, showing off just the right amount of skin and a black leather mini-skirt peeking out below.
Lex insists on doing my hair and makeup and starts pulling at me before I have a chance to tell her no. She takes my hair out and fluffs it up a bit, saying it needs some volume, then proceeds to put black eyeliner around my eyes and adds just a touch of mascara.
Once she’s done, I take a look in the mirror and gape at myself, completely blown away. I’ve never worn makeup before. I would have loved to, but I’ve never been able to afford it. Come tomorrow, I’m heading to the store and loading up on this shit.
The kohl-black color around my light blue eyes makes them pop in a way I have never seen before, and I absolutely love it. I take the whole look in, my dark hair, the makeup, and the outfit with the high boots. I look like a whole new person.
I’m busy admiring the way the heels make my ass look when Lex gets a text saying her boyfriend is downstairs. As she drags me out the door, I make sure to lock up before rushing downstairs and checking that the bar is locked up too.
We get into Eddie’s beat-up car, and Lex immediately climbs into his lap before shoving her tongue down his throat. I look away while I roll down the window, trying to dull the overwhelming stench of stale cigarettes—a smell I’m all too familiar with after living in it for the last twenty-one years.
Wanting to get going, Lex climbs over to the passenger’s seat, and Eddie drives like a fucking maniac through the city, no care for the others on the road or anyone in his car. Soon enough, he pulls to a stop outside an abandoned building in the worst part of town.