Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“You had the weekend free?” I asked suspiciously. “You never have a whole weekend free.”
She shrugged as we went into the house. “I was free tonight. And Coco said she’d handle tomorrow night’s wedding. October isn’t a super busy month.”
“You look lovely, darling. Just lovely!” Grams assessed my sister from head to toe.
Emme was lovely, of course. We had the same long blond hair, but Emme’s was always styled in tousled waves or blown perfectly smooth or braided into some fancy style. She wore feminine clothes in bright colors and patterns like polka dots and florals. Today she had on a red flared skirt and a pink turtleneck. Her lipstick matched her skirt. She was a few months pregnant, not that you could tell, but she still wore heels—strappy red suede.
Only Emme.
“Where’s Nate? He didn’t come with you?” I sank into a kitchen chair, suddenly feeling shlubby in my jeans, T-shirt, and cardigan.
“No, he has Paisley this weekend, and said he could use a little father/daughter time. And it’s good for him.” Emme sat down opposite me, her spine ramrod straight, her ankles delicately crossed. With her chin propped in her hand, she batted her lashes at me. “So what’s going on?”
“Stella has a beau,” Grams bubbled, “and we’re having him over for meatloaf dinner tonight.”
I rolled my eyes. “Grams, we don’t know that for sure.”
“Yes, we do. I called and invited him.”
I sat up straighter. “You did?”
“Of course.”
“Called him where?”
“On his pocket phone. He gave me his number once in case of an emergency.”
“Grams, this isn’t an emergency.”
She smiled sweetly. “Now don’t you worry about a thing. I’m going to the store right now for everything we need, and dinner is going to be perfect. My meatloaf has a secret ingredient that makes it taste divine.”
“So—so he said yes?” I asked, trying to adjust to this news.
“He did indeed. What man in his right mind would turn down meatloaf? It’s comfort food!”
“I have no idea.” I leaned back in my chair, shaking my head.
“Grams, can we help with dinner?” Emme asked.
“That’s kind of you, darling, but I’ll handle the cooking tonight. Why don’t you two head into town for some shopping? Emme, maybe you can help Stella find something pretty to wear tonight.”
Emme grinned at me. “Sure, Grams. We can pick up dessert, too.”
“Emme Devine, if you think I’d serve store-bought dessert at my house, you’ve lost your marbles!” Grams admonished.
“Sorry, don’t know what I was thinking.” My sister got to her feet and tapped my shoulder. “Come on, Stell. Let’s take a ride.”
“I came to rescue you,” Emme said, starting her car. “I don’t have a white horse, but I do have a white Honda.”
“Lies,” I told her, buckling my seatbelt. “You came to get a look at Ryan.”
“Okay, maybe I did want to meet the man who has my unflappable big sister in such a tizzy. But I also came to make sure you were okay. You didn’t answer my calls.” Emme backed out of Grams’s driveway and headed for town.
“Sorry. But I figured you were calling to see what I’d decided, and I hadn’t decided anything.”
Emme looked over at me. “I’ve never heard you like this. You’re really into this guy, huh?”
“Kind of. I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s complicated and moody and quiet, but he’s also funny and kind and sweet. And he’s beautiful. I can hardly be in the same room with him without wanting to tear his clothes off.”
Emme giggled. “Should make for an interesting evening.”
I groaned, dropping my face into my hands. “What is this, Em? What’s wrong with me that I know this guy doesn’t want me, but I can’t stop wanting him?”
“Why are you so sure he doesn’t want you? I mean, why would he agree to come to your grandma’s house for dinner if he wasn’t interested?”
I sighed. “Again. It’s complicated. And confusing. He likes being with me, but he’s told me multiple times that ultimately he prefers being alone. He doesn’t ever want a wife, doesn’t ever want kids, and he lives way up here. There are so many wrongs and only one right.”
“Which is?”
“The way we fit together,” I said. “Not just physically, although that part is unbelievable, but the way we balance each other out. It feels really good. I’m my real self around him, and he’s his real self around me—at least, I think he is. My gut tells me he is.”
“I cannot wait to meet this guy.”
I looked over at her. “Please don’t embarrass me.”
Her jaw dropped in mock protest. “I’m shocked you would even think it of me.”
“I just know it’s going to be bad enough with Grams trying to play her matchmaking game. And sometimes you can be … dramatic.”
“I promise to keep it under control. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”