Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“You know, if you actually tell Carly how you feel, she’d be more than willing to give it a try.” That had been Sarah’s last piece of advice to him just two weeks ago, which he ignored. Only their closest friends could give their opinions, but that didn’t mean he’d take it.
Carly picked up the menu and he watched as she looked over and smiled at him. “You’re going to tell me you know what’s good at this place?”
“As it happens, yes. Their spicy chicken wings are excellent. I highly recommend them.”
She rolled her eyes and closed the menu. “Fine, I will let you order, but I warn you, no salad. Not today. I’m done with veggies for awhile. I’m so tired of being hungry all the damn time.”
He hated that every other day Carly seemed to be on one or more diets at a time. To him, she was perfect the way she was, and there was no reason to change. He didn’t see a problem with her full, ripe tits, flared hips, curvy ass, or juicy thighs.
Snapping his fingers toward the server, he didn’t have to wait long before he was served. He ordered double the spicy chicken wings, as well as the house special, along with Carly’s favorite—fries drenched in spicy cheese sauce. She always had a love of spice.
“My mouth is watering,” she said.
He couldn’t resist smiling at her. “It’s a good place.”
With the waiter gone, he and Carly were finally alone. She blew out a breath, and offered him a smile.
“This is good. How long has it been since you and I enjoyed dinner together?” Carly asked, reaching across the table to touch his hand.
“It has been a few months.”
It was now August. The last time he ate with Carly was on Christmas, but she had invited the whole gang to hang out. It was important to all of them to spend time together, especially at the holidays. Carly insisted on it, as she told them, they were a family.
If only she knew he didn’t consider her in any way sisterly or motherly. Carly had always meant more to him than that. He’d never crossed the line with her. Never.
Carly was too precious to him to just take what he wanted when it came to her. It didn’t for a second mean he wasn’t pissed off when other men thought they could have what belonged to him. There was no chance of that.
“You’re right, I think this calls for another get-together or a barbeque. You know how the guys love that, and Sarah will do anything to show off her latest bikini body.”
Nate sat back and looked at her. “This is your subtle way of asking me to use my pit, isn’t it?”
Carly rolled her eyes. “You’re the only one that has a barbeque pit and a pool, and yes, you know it is, but all for a good cause. It’s been eight months since the whole gang’s been back together, and we did all promise each other we wouldn’t wait too long.”
She did give him those amazing eyes, and she was right, this is the longest they’d all gone without seeing each other.
They had promised each other, years ago, that no matter what, they would stick by one another and be a family. No one else wanted them, so they’d always be there for each other. Most years, they found multiple reasons to meet up, but in the past couple of years, they had drifted just a little.
“If you organize everything, I will be there,” said Nate.
****
“So you had dinner with Nate?” Sarah asked.
Carly rolled her eyes, and then looked into the mirror at her best friend, who didn’t know the first thing about boundaries. Their apartment was amazing. Each bedroom had its own en suite, so no reason to share a bathroom, and yet Sarah was in hers, dressed in a raunchy negligee, and she looked good. There was no denying it.
However, Sarah had already insisted on hearing all the details as she took a shower, flossed, brushed her teeth, and now finished off her nightly face ritual of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.
“Yes, Nate was in the area apparently, he saw me sitting alone, and came to see what was going on.”
“I’m sure he did,” Sarah said.
Carly frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing at all. I’m sure Nate was conveniently in the same area where your date was supposed to turn up. Did this one even call and give an excuse?”
Carly wrinkled her nose. “No, he just didn’t show up. Am I that … bad … you know, for no guy to want to date me?”
Sarah sighed and walked toward her, putting hands on her hips. “You’re gorgeous, babe. Trust me, none of this is your fault. Guys are just dicks. They clearly don’t know how to fight for what they want, so they don’t even show up for dates.”