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)
“We haven’t even gone through the other food you brought.”
He only shrugs and his eyes are sparkling. “That’s okay. You’ll manage.”
In the kitchen, I introduce him to Jason. They shake hands. My brother looks like a little kid compared to Saul, and there’s a little bit of tension, but Saul helps to defuse it by asking Jason questions about school. He unpacks the groceries, sets up the bagels, and casually hands Nana two cartons of her cigarettes.
Nana stares at the present in her lap then looks up at me and nods once. “Marry that man.”
I burst out laughing but cover my mouth. Jason groans, and Saul’s trying to pretend like he hadn’t heard.
“Nana, stop it,” I tell her, but she’s shaking her head.
“Sorry, Molly girl, but any man that brings me cigarettes is a keeper in my book. Lock him down.”
Saul clears his throat. “Breakfast?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say loudly before Nana can make things even more uncomfortable.
Saul gets everyone set up. He slices, toasts, and smears before we’re all sitting around the table. Even Nana joins in, though she barely eats. Saul makes coffee in our cheap little drip machine before pouring mugs. Jason’s quiet, but he participates in small talk about the day, and seems interested when Saul talks about his sports gambling business.
“It’s crazy how fast that got legal,” Jason says, eating a bagel. “It feels like everyone I know has money on the games all the time.”
“It’s a big industry. I understand it isn’t the most wholesome of businesses, but I enjoy the challenge.”
I’m wary the whole time we’re eating. Saul’s drawing Jason out more and more while making sure to keep Nana in the conversation. I sit back and watch as my family is charmed by him, and I don’t know how he does it. Nana’s easy—cigarettes and a pretty face are all she needs—but Jason came into this breakfast very skeptical. By the time he’s done with his bagel, his face is all lit up and fascinated as Saul tells a story about his family, mostly revolving around meeting politicians, actors, and musicians.
“Does anyone want tea?” Nana asks, but Saul’s on his feet before she can stand, already filling the kettle.
“You don’t move,” he says. “I can handle tea.”
She looks at me, eyes wide, and slowly nods. Marry him, she mouths, and I roll my eyes at her.
But I watch Saul. Some of Jason’s hesitancy must’ve rubbed off on me, because Saul’s being a little too charming. He’s clearly trying to make everyone like him, doing his best to be a good guest, saying and doing all the right things, but it only makes me wonder. How much of this is the real Saul? And how much is because he wants to get something out of me?
“It was great meeting you,” Jason says once it’s time for him to leave for class. They shake hands and Jason’s practically mooning. “Maybe we can hang out again sometime?”
“Happy to. If I’m lucky, I’ll be around more.”
Nana excuses herself too and leaves me alone with Saul. He’s humming to himself as he cleans up breakfast, washes the plates since we don’t have a dishwasher, and dries them with a towel. I watch him the whole time, drinking coffee, and trying not to let myself fall for his tight jeans, that lovely, biteable ass, and his thick, muscular arms. It’s hard, because he’s hot, but I keep myself from drooling over him. Though just barely.
“Your plan worked,” I say when he’s patting his hands with a dish towel. His smirk says he knows exactly what I mean. “Nana’s smitten. Jason’s ready to call you his best friend. And now I have nothing standing in the way of walking down the aisle with you.”
“Perfect. Then let’s fly to Vegas right now.”
I hold up a hand. “Except while my sibling is weak and Nana is a sucker, I’m still not buying it.”
“What’s there to buy?” He sits at the table next to me and puts a hand on my knee. “I am what I am.”
I should brush that hand away because it’s a distraction and I like it way too much. But I don’t.
“That’s the thing. I don’t really know what you are. This breakfast was nice and everything, but I have no clue if this is just you on your best behavior or if you really are this considerate.”
“Let’s say a little bit of both.” His fingers stroke up and down. Tingles run up to the heat between my legs. “But I meant it when I said I’d take care of you and your family.”
I stand and move away. My head’s racing as I pause next to Nana’s stool. Her fan’s still buzzing, blowing out the back window, and I switch it off to give my hands something to do. I’m getting way too excited by the mere prospect of this guy rubbing my leg and I need to cut it the hell out.