Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Since Derek was much taller than me, I opted for my blood red stilettos that gave my calves a sexy sculpted look, and gave my booty the perfect round appearance. I brushed on a little bit of makeup and let my long hair hang in soft waves. Finally, I grabbed a small sparkling clutch that Nicola had lent me too many years ago to count, and I was ready for date number one.
The doorbell rang, and I let out a long rush of air and gave my reflection one last glance. I can do this. I have to do this. And because it was just that important, I slapped a smile on my face and went down to meet my supposedly adoring boyfriend. My legs wobbled as I made my way down the stairs, and nearly buckled completely at the sight of Derek Gregory in all his glory. He was dressed in what I liked to call cowboy chic, in dark washed jeans that fit his thighs magnificently, a black button-up shirt that showed off hard-earned biceps, rolled up to show off a golden dusting of hair on his forearms. But the leather vest took the look over the top, all that was missing was his signature hat.
“Bella, holy shit woman, you look incredible.”
Heat suffused my chest and neck until my whole face was on fire. “Thanks. You look good too, but I’m sure you know that.”
Derek shrugged. “It’s still nice to hear.”
“Sheesh,” Everest groaned. “You both look great, now go and have a good time doing whatever this is.” He rolled his eyes just in case we didn’t get the hint that he was both annoyed and confused by this date.
“We’re going,” I assured him and wrapped my arms around him. “Don’t open the door for strangers, and please don’t burn the place down. Call if you need anything, Ev. Anything. Got it?”
He nodded, his lips pulled into a quick grin. “I can handle a few hours on my own Aunt Bella. This isn’t the first time I’ve been left alone,” he reminded me.
“I know, but things are different now.” I paused. What if a social worker showed up while I was gone? Would this be a black mark against me in the custody fight? I turned to Derek, “maybe we ought to reschedule this for a night when I can get a sitter or something.”
“I don’t need a sitter,” Everest insisted, offended. “I’m thirteen.”
My shoulders sank. “But with things how they are, maybe I shouldn’t leave you alone.”
“Aunt Bella, no one is coming by this late at night, and if they do I won’t answer the door because they’re strangers. Right?”
“Smart ass.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek and sighed. “All right, but seriously, call if you need anything. Promise?”
“I promise. Cross my heart,” he said with a lopsided grin.
With one last assurance from Everest, I let Derek guide me out of the house and into his sleek black sports car. “How many cars do you have?” It was probably a rude question, but Derek wasn’t offended, instead he was amused.
“A few. If you want to take something else we’ll have to go to my house in Nashville.”
“This is good,” I answered quickly, unsure if I’d be able to handle a ride to Nashville, considering the effect his proximity was already having on me. “I was just curious.”
“Ten cars, maybe nine, and three trucks. But one is one of those antique Blazers, orange and off-white. I always wanted one of those.” His boyish smile told me that was something he didn’t admit readily, and I laughed.
“Most boys want a Corvette or Porsche, or any other car that goes vroom, vroom really fast. But you wanted an antique Chevy Blazer. That surprises me.” I didn’t want to be surprised by Derek, that way lay madness.
“I have plenty of those, but the Blazer is my baby.” He fired up the engine, and I could admit, at least to myself, that the car handled beautifully. The soft leather seats were comfortable too, and despite the speed, the ride was relaxing.
“So, where are we going?”
“To eat,” he said simply, a knowing smirk on his face. “It’s called a surprise Bella, and I promise it’s a good one.”
I simply nodded, because what could I say? We both knew I was at his mercy in this matter, so I sat back and enjoyed the drive. Derek managed to surprise me yet again when he pulled into the parking lot, not of some swanky restaurant with unpronounceable menu items, but a barbecue joint. It was so down home, so normal that I gave him a skeptical look.
“Surprised?”
I nodded. “Pleasantly so. You don’t seem like the barbecue type,” I told him honestly.
Derek’s brows pulled into a frown. “What born and raised Tennessean doesn’t like barbecue?”
I shrugged and stepped from the car at the same time as Derek. “The kind that goes shirtless more than he wears a shirt?”