Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
The Date Night series rejuvenated my business, and the customers keep coming, both here and in Venice, where I have a new, very loyal, very punctual manager. I couldn’t be happier.
The bell above the door tinkles, and Ava comes in, looking stylish in a black coat and black boots.
“Hey, you.” I greet her warmly, hoping this is one of her good days.
As she unloops her scarf, she meets my gaze with a sparkle in her eyes. Yes, it’s a good day for sure. “Hey to you too. Got anything for a gal who’s moving on?”
“I sure do,” I say, smiling, grateful to hear she’s healing too.
“Something that says I have good vibes about my future,” she adds.
“Of course you do,” I say. We’re not best friends. I don’t think we ever will be. But we support each other as women who’ve been through the same thing, and as female entrepreneurs, regularly sending business to each other.
I’ve referred her to Elena too. Paying it forward, I suppose.
Ava peers around the little shop, checking out my display of trendy, artsy jewelry—boho necklaces, chunky bracelets, and cool rings—but I point her to Fable’s “Treat Yourself” line, then spot the perfect one for Ava. I show her a silver chain that has a B hanging on it.
She arches a brow in curiosity. “Is the B for badass?”
“You know it,” I say.
“I’ll take it,” she says, then slips her phone from her coat pocket to pay.
“Your money is no good here,” I say. Then I hand her a little silvery bag with the necklace in it. “You deserve it.”
“Thank you. And there’s a free massage for you anytime you want,” she says.
“I won’t turn that down,” I say, but I don’t know if I’ll use it soon. A certain football player has very strong hands and loves to work out the kinks in my neck each night.
Well, he loves to work out all my kinks.
We’ve explored many others. Scarves, blindfolds, and handcuffs now and then. And all sorts of spatulas. Sidenote: a shoehorn leaves wonderful marks. Big, beautiful bruises that make me feel…wanted.
Everything he does makes me feel that way.
Especially the fact that we decided to keep doing our How to Date series after all. We’re not doing the series out of obligation. We don’t do it for money. We do it for fun, when we want to, sharing with others how a real relationship feels. What it’s like to hit the town with someone you love who loves you back the same, big, beautiful buoyant way.
We like to share what the real thing looks like.
I guess we’re sort of like romance doctors. It’s our thing.
Tonight, as I’m walking down the street in the foggy evening, silver and gold lights twinkling on the shop windows, the real thing looks like the most handsome, big-hearted person I’ve ever known waiting for me outside The Spotted Zebra.
Carter
She’s a Christmas gift.
Just look at my Rachel walking toward me, the way she wears those jeans that hug her long legs and snuggle against her fantastic hips. Check out that chestnut hair curling over her shoulders. And how about that smile tilting her pretty lips, the twinkle in her eyes, and the radiance of all her upbeat…Rachel-ness.
Yup. It only gets better, falling for your best friend.
Especially when she’s wearing the fuck out of a cute pink knit hat with a snowflake design. I swear, it’s almost as sexy as lingerie, the way it’s tugged down over her hair, letting those soft brown strands curl around her shoulders. Lip gloss shines on her lips. I want to kiss it off. And do other bad things to her.
When she reaches me, I pull her in for a kiss. “Mmm. Missed these lips,” I say.
“You kissed me this morning when I left,” she teases.
“Doesn’t matter. Kissing you is my favorite thing,” I say. But wait. “Well, that’s not completely true. I have a lot of favorite things I do with you…Fucking you, hanging out with you, spending the night with you.”
“What do you know? Those are my favorite things too.”
When I let go, I catch the scent of her hair. Orange blossoms. I told her how much that scent turned me on, and I don’t think she’s stopped wearing it since.
Works for me.
“Now tell me what’s so special about The Spotted Zebra tonight?” she asks eagerly. I told her the bar had something different planned, but I didn’t tell her what. That’s part of how to romance your woman. A little intrigue goes a long way.
“You’ll find out soon,” I tell her, then we head inside the bar, ready for a little “how to date at Christmas.”
I can’t get enough of the holidays, from the lights to the music to the decorations. It’s a feast for the senses.
We head inside to record this special edition of the How to Date series. I admit, this isn’t entirely altruistic. There are benefits for me, too, like an excuse to impress my girl as often as I can.