Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 164828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
It’s moving. She must be in a cab.
I smile as I watch it, feeling closer to her already.
I’ll drop my bags at the hotel and shower, and then I’m going to find her.
My eyes roam over the passing traffic as we enter the city.
Eliza. I’m coming, baby.
Eliza
I walk into the bustling bar and glance around. It’s packed with suits. There are literally men everywhere I look. I feel a buzz of excitement as I feel eyes rest on me. It’s like I finally have an open for business sign on my forehead.
“Eliza.”
I look over and see Henry approaching me, and I break into a broad smile. He pulls me into a hug and holds me tight.
“It’s so good to see you.” He holds my hand as he steps back to look at me. “Dear God, woman, how have you gotten hotter?”
I laugh.
“Let’s go,” he says as he drains his glass and puts it down onto a nearby table.
“You don’t want to stay and have a drink here?” I ask.
“No, Eliza.” He replies flatly. “Every man and his dog is eyeing my date.”
I smile bashfully. Oh shit. He thinks it’s a date, too. Now, nerves really do dance in my stomach. “Okay.”
He leads me out of the bar and onto the busy sidewalk. “I thought we could go to a restaurant on Fifth. I’ve been before, and the food and cocktails are incredible.”
“Okay, I’m easy.”
He chuckles with a wink, and I roll my eyes.
“You know what I mean.” I scoff.
He puts his hand up and hails a cab. Moments later, we arrive at our destination. He helps me out of the cab and then we walk down eight stairs, and in through the grand, black front doors. This place looks exclusive, and the restaurant is below street level. Large windows look up at the busy surroundings. It’s dark and moody, and just… wow.
“Hi, I had a table booked for Morgan.”
“Yes, of course. This way, sir.” The server leads us through, and we sit at a table near the front windows. Candles flicker on the table, and she hands us our menus. “The house specials tonight are the seafood platter, a mushroom gnocchi with arugula and walnut pesto, and then we have a snapper in a garlic sauce with honey-roasted vegetables. Our dessert specials are a freshly made macadamia crunch ice cream with chocolate coated strawberries, and then the chocolate parfait.”
“Thank you.” I smile. “Sounds good.”
“What would you like to drink?” she asks.
I frown over to Henry. “Wine?”
“I don’t drink wine,” he says, distracted by the menu in front of him. “You get whatever you want. I’ll have a beer, thanks.” I fake a smile. I’m so used to me and Nathan having the same tastes in everything. “I’ll have a margarita, please.”
“Okay.” She smiles and takes off toward the bar.
Henry’s mischievous eyes come to me. He takes my hand across the table. “Have you missed me?”
I giggle. “No.”
That’s not a lie. I haven’t missed him at all, and to be honest, I’m beginning to wonder why I’m even here. I’m not feeling any chemistry. It’s like I’m here with my brother.
Ugh…focus.
“So, tell me about New York.” He smiles.
I put my hands up. “Here we are. I love New York.”
“You’re enjoying it?”
“Very much. I’m coming home, though, next week.”
“What?” He frowns.
I laugh at his shocked face. “I’m moving back to San Fran.”
“What brought this on?”
“My contract was up here and… ” I pause as I think of the right wording. “It’s time.”
“So, what does the guard dog think about that?”
I roll my lips. Don’t go there. I rearrange the napkin on my lap. “Nathan and I broke up,” I say.
“Yes, I know. That’s why you left.” He smiles sarcastically as he sits back. “Can’t say I didn’t see it coming.”
“Here you are.” The waitress puts our drinks on the table in front of us.
“Thank you.” I take a sip of my margarita and I inwardly wince. Fuck, that’s strong. It tastes like hand sanitizer. What kind of tequila is this? “Why do you say that?” I ask as I fight the urge to shiver in disgust. How the hell am I supposed to drink this rocket fuel?
“His over the top jealousy of you.”
I watch him and take another sip. Oh hell, this drink is bad. Real bad.
“He was obsessed with you.”
I smile sadly. I was obsessed with him. “Oh, well, that’s in the past.” I need to change the subject. “Tell me about you. Are you still booty-calling your ex?”
He chuckles. “No. I found a new booty-call girl, though.”
I laugh. Henry and his honesty. No man says that on a date. “You have? Is she hot?”
“So hot.” He takes my hand, picks it up, and kisses my fingertips. “Not as hot as you.”
I get an internal running commentary of what Nathan’s dry reply to that statement would be, and I smile. “Well, I’m flattered.”