Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” Scarlett nods and offers Palmer another bright smile.
“Now, put that camera away and join the party. Archer, why don’t you grab her a drink?” Palmer winks at me before turning and walking away.
I make a mental note to offer to babysit Remi anytime she wants. Palmer just moved into the favorite sister-in-law spot. Well, that’s not actually true. I love all of my brothers’ wives and my sisters by marriage. My brothers are lucky assholes to find the ladies that they have.
“What’s your poison?” I ask.
“I’m a vodka and Mountain Dew kind of girl,” she says with a chuckle. “VooDew.” She winks.
“Interesting combination.”
“Hey.” She mock glares at me. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I’ll stick to beer.” I motion for her to lead the way to the bar, and she grins before heading that way. I follow along behind her, watching as her ass sways in those dress pants she’s wearing. They’re not so tight that they’re indecent, but you can tell that what lies beneath is something you want to sink your teeth into. Okay, maybe that’s just me, but yeah, I could see myself taking a bite of that ass.
“Are you staring at my ass?” Scarlett calls me out.
I think about lying for about two seconds before I nod. “Yep.”
“It’s nice, right?” She grins and turns back around, taking the final few steps to reach the bar.
My steps falter. That was not at all the response I was expecting. By the time I’m sliding up to the bar next to her, she’s ordered both of us a drink. “Thanks,” I tell the bartender, raising my drink to Scarlett’s for a toast.
“Oh, what are we toasting?” she asks, her drink raised in the air but not yet close enough to tap against mine.
“True love,” I say, nodding toward my brother and his bride.
Scarlett tilts her head to the side. “You believe?”
I shrug. “It’s kind of hard not to in my family. My parents are still madly in love with one another, and as one of nine brothers who has watched five of my brothers declare their undying love for the ladies in their lives, I’d be crazy not to.” I take a sip of my drink. “What about you?”
“Meh, I think it exists, but I’m not sure it’s for everyone.”
“Never been in love, huh?” I ask.
“Nope. What about you?”
“Nah. I’ve dated, but there hasn’t been anyone who I felt I had to have more of.”
“That’s an interesting way to put it.”
“I’m just telling it like it is. That’s the point of dating, right? You spend time together. You get to know each other on an intimate and emotional level. You have to want to get to know that person that way, and so far, no one has made me want that.”
“But she’s out there, right?” She offers me a smile that lights up this entire fucking room.
“Yeah,” I agree. “I’m certain she’s out there.”
Scarlett shakes her head, sipping her own drink. “It’s refreshing,” she says after a few moments of taking in the crowd while my eyes are glued to her.
“Vodka and Mountain Dew?” I ask.
“This big, loving family.” She pulls her gaze from my family and turns it on me. “To be standing next to a man who is so obviously sexy… that is open and honest about his thoughts on relationships.”
“Nothing to hide.” Bringing my glass to my lips, I take a long pull to hide my grin. She thinks I’m sexy.
“What you see is what you get, huh?”
“I guess you could say that.”
She points her index finger at me. “That, too, is refreshing.”
“What about you?” I lean my elbow on the bar. The action brings us a little closer, and her floral scent wraps around me.
Intoxicating.
“Never been in love,” she replies instantly. “Not sure I’m made for being tied down, if I’m being honest.”
“Yeah?”
She nods. “I want to be a travel photographer. There are so many amazing places to visit in the world. That’s hard to do when you have a husband and kids at home.”
“What about your family?”
“We’re not close. Not really. I was adopted. My adoptive dad passed away when I was in middle school, and my adoptive mom the year after I graduated high school. They didn’t have a lot of family, and no other kids, so it’s just me.”
Lifting my hand to my chest, I rub that instant ache that appeared hearing her words. “I’m sorry for your loss.” I don’t know what else to say. I know my words mean dick. What I want to tell her is that she can be a part of our family. It’s growing by the day, and I know for certain my parents, my brothers, and my sisters-in-law would welcome her into our loud, rambunctious family. We can share ours with her.