Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 131728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
I giggle. Mrs. Greenwell is in her late eighties and has a broken hip; she’s been in the hospital for over a month now and is quite the character. I find myself thinking about her on my days off.
“How has your day been?” she asks.
“Fantastic.” I smile. “I’m walking on air.”
Mrs. Greenwell smiles. “Wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with a certain grumpy neighbor, would it?”
“Maybe.” I beam.
“I live for your stories.” She pats the bed beside her. “Tell me everything.”
“Well.” I drop to sit on the bed. “Just quickly. I have to get back to work. I went over today to see him, and he asked me on a date to the opera on Saturday night.”
“He did?” Her eyes widen.
“Yep.” I smile proudly. “A real date.”
She takes my hand in hers. “He’s practically in love with you already, dear.”
“Ha! I wish.” I smile as I stand. “I’ll be back in a while. I have to check on everyone. Do you need anything?”
“I’d love a glass of sherry.”
“Now, you know I’m not allowed to give you any, even if we had any.”
She lets out a deep sigh. “This place is no fun.”
“Tell me about it.” I leave Mrs. Greenwell and float down the corridor. After the week from hell, everything is finally working out.
I’m going on a date with Henley, not a booty-call-over-the-fence-in-the-middle-of-the-night kind of hookup. A real, bona fide date.
To the opera, no less.
I just hope it goes well. It has to.
“You look hot,” Rebecca says from her place at my kitchen counter.
“He’s toast,” Chloe chimes in.
I look between my two friends. “I can’t believe you two are hanging out without me.”
Chloe has come over to stay with Barry for the night, and with John away, Rebecca is home alone. They are having pizza and cocktails on my front porch, without me.
“As if you won’t be having more fun,” Rebecca scoffs into her wineglass.
“I still think Henley’s a weirdo,” Chloe replies.
“I don’t think it, I know it,” I agree.
“I mean, who forgets a condom and then completely freaks out and leaves in the middle of it and then doesn’t speak to you all week and then asks you to the opera on a date?”
“A weirdo,” Rebecca and I say together.
“She’s unpacking baggage,” Rebecca chimes in. “Aren’t you?”
“A truckload of it.” I grab my boobs and boost them up into my bra. “Do I look okay?”
“You look great.”
“Okay, I’m going to get going.” We decided that I would meet him at the hotel. Carol doesn’t miss a beat around here, and it’s going to be awkward if anyone knows about us.
Although I kind of get the feeling that Blake and Antony already know. They seem to be really chatty lately, but that could be my guilty conscience talking.
I’m hopeless at keeping secrets.
“Have a great night.”
“Good luck.” Rebecca hugs me.
“Kick him to the curb if he’s a dick.”
I puff air into my cheeks. “It’s Henley. We already know he’s going to be a dick.”
“True.”
With one last wave I make my way out to the car and text Henley.
On my way.
A reply bounces straight back in.
Meet me in the bar downstairs.
Nerves dance in my stomach. Meeting a hot, mysterious guy in the bar of a hotel: it’s all so exotic. Like a spy movie or something, hopefully one that ends well.
I take one last look into the rearview mirror at my face.
I’m nervous.
And I know it’s stupid and that I shouldn’t be because this isn’t my first rodeo, especially not with Henley. But that’s the thing: every time with him feels like the first time, and maybe that’s why I’m so jittery . . . I know in my heart that this is something special, or at least it could be.
Nobody has ever made me feel the way that he does.
I need to remind Henley James of the chemistry we share.
Blow his fucking mind.
I get out of my car and make my way into the hotel. It’s super fancy, with doormen in black suits standing around. The floors are a beautiful green marble, and huge oversize chandeliers are hanging from the ornate ceilings. I spot the restaurant and bar and make my way in, and instantly I feel more at ease. It’s nicer in here, with a much more relaxed ambience. Timber-and-metal tables and chairs, and candles in small copper vases are on all the tables. The bar is a dark timber with old-fashioned stools lined up. Big copper light fittings hang low over it.
I smile as I look around. This is cool.
My eyes roam around the room, and then I see him, sitting in the corner booth.
He gives me a slow sexy smile, and excitement runs through me. All week I’ve thought of nothing else but him, and to be here now . . .
Play it cool.
I smile and, trying to be as casual as I can, make my way over to the table. “Hi.” I pull out the chair.