Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
She pulls from my hold. “I’m sorry about all this. I shouldn’t have gotten you into it.”
I rest one hand on the bench behind her and one on the table in front of us, effectively caging her in. “None of this is your fault. I’m the one that showed up at the shop today and sort of threw myself at you.”
She smiles at that. “You did, didn’t you?”
I nod. “I did. And I’d do it again.”
She tilts her head. “I’m sorry about my sister.”
I shrug. “I can handle your sister.”
She blinks up at me, and I tap my fingers on the table. Maybe I don’t have the right, but I have to say it. “Grant is stupid. If he chose Brynn over you, he’s a dumbass.”
She doesn’t look like she believes me as she shrugs. “It’s fine. You don’t have to say that. Brynn is beautiful, and she always gets what she wants.” She laughs, but it sounds a little sad. “You may want to watch out. She may decide she wants you instead.”
“Hell would freeze over first,” I tell her without even thinking about it. Brynn does absolutely nothing for me.
Tara rolls her eyes. “You say that now, but she can be pretty convincing.”
I put my hand on her thigh. “Honey, I’ve kissed you and felt the earth move, so trust me, there’s nothing she can do to compete with you.”
She licks her lips, and it takes everything in me not to lean forward and kiss her right here, right now.
I’m about to do just that when Brynn and Grant come back to the table. “Tara, you’re causing a spectacle. You can’t just make out in the middle of the restaurant.”
Fuck it, I’m over Brynn thinking she can tell Tara what to do. I lean toward her and kiss her. It’s just a quick kiss, and I have to make myself pull away, but it had to happen. “Brynn, Grant, I’m sorry, but Tara and I need to go. She has a lot to do at the shop, and I’m about to get a lesson on flower arrangements.”
Brynn leans over the table and puts her hand on mine. “Cruz, I have a favor to ask.”
I freeze and then pull my hand away. Who the fuck does this girl think she is? I don’t say anything, I just stare at her, waiting for her to spit it out.
“Well, I was hoping that you could come to my class tomorrow and talk to my students. I teach fourth grade at Whiskey Run Elementary.”
“Brynn! No! Cruz is busy. You can’t ask people you just met to do you favors.”
I reach over and hold Tara’s hand. The last thing I want is to do Brynn a favor, but I also want her to know that Tara has a man that would do anything for her. I smile at Tara. “Do you want me to do it?”
Tara licks her lips again and looks between Brynn and me. I’m glad she avoids looking at Grant. I hate sitting across the table from the man, knowing he’s kissed her before. Tara shrugs and hesitantly answers, “I mean, the kids would love it, but you’re busy. It’s a big week for you, and…”
I squeeze her hand. “Do you want me to go?”
“It’s up to you.”
I run my thumb across her hand. “I’ll do it if you go with me.”
Her eyes widen. “You want me to go with you?”
I nod and then remember how busy she is. “I’ll get Lexi to fill in at the shop tomorrow while you’re gone.”
She’s shaking her head as I’m nodding at her. “You know Lexi will be happy to do it.”
She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. I’m sure she’s going to say no, but she surprises me. “Okay, I’ll go with you.”
“Great.” I nod, excited. “Brynn, we’ll be there at nine in the morning. Does that work for you?”
She nods as she looks between Tara and me.
I slide out of the booth and then help Tara out. “Well, we really must go. I paid Kathy for dinner. Thanks for joining us. I look forward to getting to know you better at the wedding.”
With that, I put a hand at Tara’s waist and lead her through the restaurant. We’re halfway to the shop, walking hand in hand, when Tara speaks up. “Thank you for that back there.”
I squeeze her hand. “You’re welcome.”
When we get to the shop, she stops before going inside. “Thank you for dinner and well, everything.”
I smile and put my hand on the door. “Come on, we have some arrangements to make.”
Her mouth drops. “You were serious about that?”
“Honey, you’re going to figure out that I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”
I open the door, and as she walks by me, she looks at me curiously, and I can see exactly what she’s thinking. She’s remembering when I said kissing her made the earth move. It’s the truth, and maybe, just maybe, she’ll believe it.