Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
6
ZOEY
Brock has been texting me all day. After our date yesterday afternoon, he took me back into town so I could pick up my laptop. I went to my cabin and wrote two entire chapters. It was probably the hottest love scene of my writing career. I may have spent an hour researching the rose after that. Sadly, I can’t get one overnighted here. Not that it matters. I was checking for a friend.
My phone buzzes again with a new message, and I can’t help the goofy grin that spreads across my face. Brock wants to take me out on Valentine’s Day. At first, I was going to turn him down, but Emmy quickly talked some sense into me. She pointed out that while it’s a writing retreat, it’s also supposed to be a vacation. A chance to let my hair down and have some fun.
I glance at the clock, finally realizing how late it is. I’m supposed to be meeting the girls for our Galentine’s dinner in just a few minutes.
The lodge restaurant is just as cozy and beautiful as the rest of the resort. The large bar in the back with the extensive display of alcohol nearly makes me groan. Every time we get together like this, I end up with a massive hangover. Usually thanks to Emmy making sure everyone takes a shot...or three.
I join our little group at the table in the back. It’s still early enough that the restaurant is fairly quiet. It won’t be that way for long. At least, not after we’ve all gotten some alcohol in us.
Almost everyone is here except for Cassia. As soon as I think about her, she appears in the lodge. She can come across as a bit over the top and dramatic but honestly, I love her. Besides, I know that drama just comes from having a mom that’s overly critical.
“Sorry, I’m late. I got lost,” Cassia explains and scrunches up her nose. “Did you know this place has two gyms? It’s a vacation. Who needs one gym, let alone two?”
I nod my agreement at her complaint. There’s a reason I packed my yoga pants for this vacation.
“I ordered you a shot,” Emmy tells her when Cassia takes the seat next to her. This isn’t going to end well. Cassia isn’t very graceful before she has alcohol in her system. I can only hope she remembered to eat something first this time.
“This is liquid courage,” Emmy explains. “We’re talking about sex.”
Mina, who writes small-town curvy girl romance, laughs. “Not yet, we’re not.”
She waggles her brows suggestively, and everyone laughs along with her. She’s our resident wild woman, the one who comes up with the crazy dares. We’ve made some great memories because of her ideas.
“All I said was I want the inside scoop on how the four of you”—she points to me, Emmy, Clover, and Cassia—“write dirty hot sex when you still have your v-cards.”
I didn’t realize that Clover and Cassia were still virgins too. It’s kind of nice to know that Emmy and I aren’t the last two virgins alive on earth. I kind of thought we were.
Paige quickly adds her agreement. “I’ve wondered that as well. I mean, I’ve never been to medieval England, but I have been to England and seen medieval artifacts at museums, so that’s kinda close.”
Cassia waves a hand, looking annoyed. But somehow, I don’t think she’s annoyed with us. “I have a rose and Javier. And porn.”
“Not the rose,” Paige groans, making Emmy laugh hysterically.
Clover looks between the three of them, her beautiful green eyes filled with confusion. “I don’t get it.”
Emmy huffs and sends Cassia a look before turning her attention back to Clover. “We almost had to stage an intervention over the rose.”
“Seriously, she went missing for days. I was ready to call the police,” Paige says and giggles. “When we finally got her back online and she told us where she’d been, well, let’s just say, I ordered a rose for myself that afternoon.”
“It was for research purposes!” Cassia insists with flair that would make an actress proud.
I’m very familiar with the rose, thanks to my late-night research session. But I don’t remember Cassia mentioning her man. “Who is Javier?”
“Oh, uh, he’s my battery-operated boyfriend." She blushes and glances around the restaurant. When she’s sure no one is listening to us, she leans forward and says in a conspiratorial tone, “I thought he needed a name.”
“Do you scream it?” Clover teases and the table erupts into laughter. I love these women and how much fun we have together. I wish they were my real-life sisters.
“I named mine Paul,” Paige says.
“Mine is just Oh God, Oh God,” Mina says.
When the waitress takes our order, Cassia asks for a pitcher of Sangria. I tell her to go ahead and bring a second pitcher. I have a feeling we’re going to need it tonight.