Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
He swirled his wineglass, examining the rich bouquet in the light. “You tipped me that I had to satisfy your stomach to satisfy my curiosity. I didn’t think a salad would cut it.”
“You have a comeback for everything, don’t you?”
“It’s a bad habit of mine.” He slid to Sienna. “Do the same rules apply to you, Miss Blaine?”
“Call me Sienna. Miss Blaine is a kindergarten teacher. And no, I’m an open book. It’s only right. How can I reveal the mysteries of others’ lives and refuse to reveal my own?”
“A refreshing attitude for a psychic.”
“Why ask when you clearly know everything about us?” Tricky reached for the knife but I was quicker. I busied myself cutting and buttering her bread roll.
“Words in a report don’t tell the whole story. So, Sienna, are you thinking about going back to school?”
She tossed her head. “Higher education isn’t for me. I’d like to open a shop. Run my own business.”
“Psychic readings?”
“Books,” Sienna stated. “Self-help books to be exact. As a psychic, I see so many futures that could be prevented if that person found honesty, assertiveness, or boundaries before it was too late. I do my best to warn them but...” Sienna glanced at me. “The only one who can change your fate is you.”
“At what age did you discover you had the gift?”
I searched but couldn’t find a trace of mocking in his question. Though he feigned polite interest, I doubted a man like Liam Hunt believed in psychics.
Then again, I don’t know men like Liam Hunt. I only knew the douchebags who admired my attributes, my strength not being one of them. I spent my whole life fighting to stay out of trouble. It’s not my fault it kept coming for me.
“I’ve always known,” Sienna replied. “When I was four, I made my sister wear a helmet on her bike ride to the grocery store. That day, a car jumped the curb, she swerved, and crashed through a glass door.”
“If only you told me to wear elbow pads too.” I held up my arm and flashed the long, white scar—my permanent reminder of that day.
Liam hissed in sympathy. “Why was a seven-year-old biking around, getting groceries by herself?”
I squeezed Sienna’s hand under the table, lest my open-book sister answer that one. Liam knew enough about my past. Some things were mine to share when I was ready.
“We’re doing all the talking,” I said. “Mr. Hunt—”
“Liam.”
“Liam. What do you do?”
Tricky sat up straight. “My dad is a legit-mate businessman. He owns clubs and restaurants. If you have more questions, ask him or our tornies.” She beamed up at him, proud she got it all right.
Smiling, Liam flicked her nose. “Well said.”
“Perfectly said, Tricky. Though I do have some questions.”
“Her name is Elizabeth.”
“No, it’s Tricky,” his daughter protested.
“I’m pretty sure it’s not, seeing as I named you and filled out the birth certificate.”
Sighing, she shook her head like he was hopeless. Elizabeth popped up and came around to our side, squeezing in to sit next to Sienna. My sister moved over for her and budged up against me, pushing me around the circular booth in turn. My knee knocked into Liam. I snatched it back, he didn’t move, barring reaching for his wine. Did anything rattle this man? Or was I presumptuous thinking my proximity has the same effect on him as his did on me?
A thirty-five-year-old legitimate businessman with a daughter and over a decade’s worth of life and sexual experience didn’t get weak-kneed over former fashion designers, whose life experience included eating out of the trash.
His deep voice made me jump.
“Aren’t you going to ask?”
“Ask what?”
“You said you have questions.” Liam stretched his arm on the booth—close, but not close enough to touch me. I had a wild thought of him tangling in my hair, drawing me close, and tucking me under his arm.
“Yes.” I shook my head, chasing the useless fantasies away. “Which clubs and restaurants do you legitimately own?”
He waved a hand. “This one, to start.”
“Really?” I looked at La Belle’s, and Liam Hunt, in a new light. No wonder this family could drop three-quarters of a mill without a blink. “This place is incredible,” I said honestly. “Although, I’m less impressed with your generosity now that I know you’re the owner and the meal would’ve been comped anyway.”
Liam’s chest thumped, drawing my eye as his laughter boomed through the restaurant. “Do you always say exactly what’s on your mind?”
“It’s a loveable trait of mine.”
His smile—real and true and what I assumed was reserved for his daughter—turned on me, and melted me on my seat. “Forgive me for waiting so long to say what was on mine. You look stunning, Mackenzie. And you, Sienna,” he continued, flicking off me so fast, embarrassment killed the silly bubbles popping in my stomach. “The dresses are yours to keep. I hope they stave off the broken nose in my future.”