Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
I feel my cheeks turn pink. Yes, yes, please make my toes curl, and also feed me fancy precut fruits. “Absolutely not. You’ve lost your mind.”
“Probably.” He reaches into the trunk and picks up a couple bags. “Shall we?”
I’m about to tell him off. I really, really want to call him a psycho and kick him in the dick, because this is crazy stalker behavior. But I’m tired and I have another long day of work ahead of me, and we really could use the food. Even if it comes at a cost. Also I’d hate myself if I did real damage to his very lovely penis.
“I’m letting you up to drop off the bags and that’s it. Understand me? I’ll take this charity, even though it’s freaking mortifying, and then you leave me alone. Consider us even or whatever. You did your fatherly duty.”
“Not a chance.” He sounds cheerful as he grabs a third bag, hefting it up. There are still two more. “I’ll make another trip. Don’t strain yourself.”
I roll my eyes at him, lift the last two, and stomp into the building. He follows, looking happy the whole time. I really hate this.
It’s late, but Nana’s awake. She’s always awake. The apartment’s dark, which means Jason is asleep. I motion for Saul to be quiet as we sneak through the living room. The pull-out couch dominates the tiny space, and Jason’s snoring body is swaddled in pillows. He’s got earplugs in and a mask over his eyes. Nana has to kick him until he wakes up every morning.
We find her sitting in the kitchen at her normal spot, cigarette dangling between her lips. She’s wearing a pink nightgown and slippers so worn in they’re almost falling apart. A black and white Western’s playing on TV and she blows out a plume of smoke when Saul steps into the room. Her eyes bug out.
“Nana, it’s fine,” I say quickly before she starts screaming about intruders. She’s got this recurring nightmare—fantasy, really—where robbers burst into our apartment and she takes them out with some karate moves she learned in a self-defense class twenty years ago. “This is my friend, Saul.”
“Hello, Saul.” She tries to clear her throat and pulls her robe tighter around her. “Sorry, if I’d’ve known Molly was bringing a friend over—”
“It’s very nice to meet you.” He walks over and kisses her cheek. She seems totally flustered as he begins cheerfully putting groceries away.
I shuffle toward her. “Don’t ask,” I whisper sharply at her. “Okay? We’ll talk later.”
She shakes her head, eyes wide. “He’s gorgeous.”
“Nana.” I think my jaw’s about to explode. “Please.”
“Is he—?” The question is obvious, and I just nod once. She sighs. “I suppose I should be getting off to bed anyway.” She sucks down her cigarette, since lord knows she can’t waste it, before getting up. “Saul, lovely to meet you.”
“You as well. I’m sorry to drop in on you so late. Your daughter here works too long.”
Nana laughs and—oh my god—she freaking blushes. “Granddaughter, but I’m flattered.”
Oh my god, the gall of this freaking guy. And how pathetic is Nana right now, falling for the most obvious line in the entire world?
Saul grins at her. “I appreciate you letting me intrude on your evening.”
“No, no, totally fine. Want me to make you some tea? We have crackers—”
“Nana.” I glare at her. She’s practically tripping over herself right now.
“Right. Off to bed with this old lady.” She limps past him, pauses to look up at his massive bicep, then disappears down the hall shaking her head.
I’m never going to hear the end of this. I think Nana’s in love.
Everyone’s in love with Saul, except me.
“She seems nice,” he says as he finishes putting the cold stuff away. “How long have you lived with her?”
“Since I was little. My dad wasn’t in the picture and my mom passed when I was ten. Nana raised me.”
“Sorry to hear that, but she seems like a good one.”
“She’s the best. Deserves more.” I lean back against the counter, arms crossed. When the baby’s here, I don’t know how I’m ever going to take care of everyone, but I’ll never give up on my family. I love them too much. “You gave me groceries. You met Nana against my better judgment. Now can you go?”
He closes the refrigerator door. “I wasn’t joking.”
“About what?”
“Marrying you.”
“I’m sorry, but yes, you were definitely joking. That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I mean it. You’re pregnant with my child. I want to take care of you, and making you my wife is the best way I can think of to do that.”
“What world do you live in? Seriously, what fantasy land do you come from?” I throw up my hands in frustration, because I feel like this is some kind of trick. “We’re strangers, Saul. I stole your Rolex, remember? You called me a hooker?”