Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 111775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 447(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
I was wondering what exactly they were talking about when Stephanie caught my gaze. “Don’t you speak sign language, Maggie?”
“Hmm? Oh, no. Shay and I haven’t known each other very long, but I’m hoping to learn at some point, and Shay has taught me some.”
Her eyebrows shot right up. “But then how do you both communicate?”
“Well,” I began, casting a quick glance at Shay, who appeared to be wrestling with a frown. I wondered if Stephanie had done something to him he hadn’t mentioned because she seemed nice enough to me. It certainly didn’t seem like she hated him or anything. “As I said, Shay’s taught me a small bit of sign language. Otherwise, we communicate through texts.” I left out the part that it took me forever to read his messages and how that stunted our conversations greatly. Perhaps it was a testament to the connection we shared we still tried to get to know one another despite our struggles.
“That must be time consuming,” Stephanie said.
“Not really,” I replied, mustering a smile as I glanced at Shay. He was still looking at Stephanie with a hint of annoyance. “Shay types incredibly fast.”
“Still, you must be very patient.”
“Steph,” Rhys said, his eyebrows drawing together.
“What?” she asked. “I was only making an observation.”
Hmm, that was a little snippy. Maybe Shay was onto something about Stephanie after all. I should never have questioned his judgement. I knew how much more observant he was than the typical person.
“I have every intention of learning sign language, so it’s only temporary,” I said, knocking my knee against Shay’s, a small, silent way of checking in with him. He finally drew his gaze away from Stephanie to glance at me, and his features softened.
“It’s a very interesting skill to learn,” Eugene said. “Really makes you understand human communication in a way you don’t through the spoken word. And I bet you’ll learn fast since you have Shay to talk with. Like learning any language, you learn faster when you can apply it practically.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I said, and the conversation changed to other topics. I noticed Eugene glancing at me once or twice with some kind of admiration in his eyes. He seemed touched I intended to go out of my way to learn how to talk with his son.
When we finished eating, I insisted on helping Shay with the dishes, and we managed to convince Eugene to go into the living room and put his feet up. Rhys and Stephanie had to leave to meet some of their friends for drinks, so it was just Shay and ne in the kitchen.
I quietly washed while he dried. I wanted to ask him about the picture I’d seen in his bedroom, or well, the half of a picture I’d seen. My mind was convinced it was me, but perhaps I was wrong. For all I knew, it could be a portrait of some other woman who just so happened to look a little bit like me.
I also wanted to ask him why he’d kissed me, so I could quit feeling so insecure about the whole thing.
“I see now what you meant about Stephanie,” I said, breaking the quiet. “I didn’t get it at first because she seemed nice, but there was something about her. I can’t quite put my finger on it. The way she was so baffled by me being patient enough to talk to you through text. I mean, has she even—”
I caught myself before I finished the sentence, realising I’d been about to reveal just how much I fancied Shay, how mesmerising and attractive and interesting I found him. I focused on scrubbing a particularly difficult spot on the oven tray I was washing when I heard him place a cup he’d been drying down on the countertop. I felt him step close and stilled, my hands still immersed in the sudsy water. Just as he’d done in my flat last week, he caught my chin and turned my face to his, his eyes capturing mine. His expression was questioning.
It said, Finish what you were going to say, Maggie.
How was I getting so good at reading his thoughts just from looking at his facial expressions?
My gaze fluttering down and then back up, I flushed, self-consciously dragging my teeth across my lower lip. His gaze followed the movement, and there was definite heat there. I blew out a breath, his warm fingers still on my chin when I said, “I was just going to say, has she even met you? You’re one of the most interesting people I’ve ever … and … and …” Heart racing, I really didn’t want to finish the sentence, but I had to be honest with him. He stepped closer, the heat of his body practically singeing mine. I was trapped with my hands still in the sink. I swallowed thickly and finished, “And you’re very attractive, Shay. I find you attractive. I don’t know any woman who wouldn’t.”