Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
I wouldn’t even dignify that with a response.
“I’m single,” he finally said.
My jaw dropped open. “Really? Why? You’re attractive…successful…what’s wrong with you?”
He bent his head back. “God, you sound like my mother.”
I smiled. “Well, we both have a very good reason to wonder.”
He looked contemplative, then shocked me when he said, “Actually, I was in a long-term relationship in my twenties, and she died of cancer. I haven’t really wanted anything serious since. So…”
That left me speechless…absolutely gutted. How heartbreaking. “I’m so sorry.”
He just stared at me for a bit. “Thank you.”
“Goes to show…you never know what people have been through. I guess there are way worse things in life than getting kicked out of an apartment.”
Adam nodded in understanding, and things fell quiet. The snow was falling so hard that you could barely see out of the windows.
I sighed. “I’m not sure either one of us is going to make it out of town tonight.”
“Where did you say you’re headed after court?” he asked.
“I didn’t…say where I was going. But I’m scheduled to take a quick flight to Boston. My mother lives there. I’m spending Christmas with her.”
“Will she be grilling you why you’re still single, like mine does?”
“Umm…probably not.”
“See. Your luck isn’t so bad after all. Your mom will at least let you have a peaceful holiday.”
I was a little embarrassed to admit the truth, but, hey, what’s there to be embarrassed about after you’ve grabbed a man’s junk? I turned to face Adam and swallowed my pride before speaking. “My mom won’t be bugging me about being single because she thinks I’m still dating Tucker.”
Adam quirked a brow. “Tucker? I figured he was a douche for dumping you after four years and dating your friend. But now I know he’s a douche—one with a bad, frat-boy name.” He chuckled. “Tucker. What the hell are you doing still pretending to date that tool anyway?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I haven’t told anyone at work, either. Our framed picture is still on my desk. I guess at first I didn’t want to say it out loud because it hurt too much. But now…” I looked down at my lap. “I’m not sure why I’ve kept it to myself. I suppose I’m embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed? What the hell do you have to be embarrassed about? You didn’t do anything wrong. You need to put that shit behind you. Get rid of doucheface’s picture on your desk. You never know, there might be a whole slew of bachelors waiting for you to finally cut ties with that dick so they can ask you out.”
I scoffed. “Yeah. I’m sure the line is out the door.”
I felt Adam looking at me, but kept my eyes from meeting his. Eventually, he sighed. “Where do you work?”
“On 68th and Lexington, why?”
He looked at his watch. “Is your office closed today for Christmas Eve?”
“No. It’s open. But not many people are in. Basically a skeleton crew. I took a vacation day.”
Adam leaned forward and spoke to our driver. “Change of plans. Need to head back uptown and stop at 68th and Lex. We’re making a quick stop. Keep the car running and wait for us, and I’ll make it worth your while.”
The driver looked in the rearview mirror. “A hundred dollars extra for the stop.”
“A hundred bucks? Where’s your Christmas spirit? I was thinking more like fifty.”
The driver shook his head. “My kids sucked the Christmas spirit right out of me, along with the cash in my pockets. A hundred bucks. Am I turning around and Mr. Franklin is going to buy me a nice bottle of twelve-year-old Christmas spirit, or am I heading to drop you both off?”
Adam glanced over at me and our gazes caught. He considered his options while looking into my eyes, then spoke to the driver. “Fine. A hundred bucks. But I’m going to be late, so you need to step on it.”
Our driver suddenly yanked the steering wheel to the left and the car started to fishtail. I grabbed onto the oh-shit bar above the door and held my breath until he regained control. The crazy man had just swung an illegal U-turn in the middle of New York traffic in a snowstorm. My heart was hammering inside my chest. “What the hell? Why is this lunatic taking us to my office?”
“Because you need help taking the first step. We’re getting rid of the picture on your desk.”
“Is that…supposed to be a moustache?” Adam lifted his glasses for a better inspection of the photo of Tucker and me. We were standing in front of the dancing fountains at the Bellagio hotel in Vegas on Valentine’s Day earlier this year. I’d thought he might propose on that trip. When he didn’t, I convinced myself it was because he wanted to wait for Christmas so he could fulfill my childhood dream of a proposal and romantic kiss in front of the big tree. I was really fooling myself with him.