Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
I smiled and nodded, rubbing the fourth finger of my left hand. “I hope so.”
That night, Zach and I braved dinner out at a small, off-the-beaten-path Italian restaurant. Seated at a table for two in a dark corner, candle flickering on the table between us, we enjoyed a Saturday night date just like any other couple.
Looking across the table at Zach made my heart quicken. He was so handsome in his navy dress shirt with the cuffs rolled up. Every woman in here watched him walk through the room. I still recalled seeing him for the first time at the hotel bar, the way he caught my attention and wouldn’t let it go. How incredible that the hot stranger from two months ago was the man out with me tonight. The one looking at me like I was the only woman in this restaurant, maybe even this city. The one reaching across the table to take my hand.
I smiled at our clasped fingers and gasped in mock surprise. “Mr. Barrett! What if someone saw? My reputation would be ruined forever.”
His lips tipped up. “I figure we’re safe here. Holding hands isn’t exactly scandalous behavior in Las Vegas.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“And it’s hard for me to be near you and not touching you. Especially when I have to let you leave tomorrow morning.”
My smile faded. “Don’t talk about it. We’ve got the rest of tonight.”
“Tell me more about today. You liked what you saw at the wholesaler?”
“Yes. I really liked the owners and the quality of their products. I ended up placing a pretty big order.” Heat crept into my cheeks. “I even tried one of their veils on.”
“Playing dress-up on the job, huh?” He looked amused.
“Yeah. It was really pretty.” I glanced down at my left hand, the one he held. “But it was just for fun.”
The server arrived with our entrees, and I took my hand back and repositioned my napkin on my lap.
“Can I ask about your wedding?” I asked when we were alone again.
He shrugged. “If you want to.”
“Was it big?”
He picked up his whiskey. “Yes.”
“What did you wear?”
“A very uncomfortable tuxedo.” He took a sip. “Or maybe it was me that was uncomfortable.”
I reached for my fork and poked at a seared scallop on my plate. “What kind of venue was it?”
“A country club. Whatever one her parents belonged to.” He set his glass down. “We were married outside, and the reception was inside. I had very little to do with any of it. It was hot and I sweated a lot. That’s mostly what I remember.”
I began eating my dinner as I pictured the details—Zach looking gorgeous but tense in his tux, hundreds of guests in white chairs on a sunny country club lawn, a bride in a big white dress being walked up the aisle by her father. I wondered about her, about what had gone wrong with them.
“So what was she like? Your ex-wife.”
He studied me for a moment. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. I’m curious. I mean, she’s on television, right? I assume she’s attractive.”
“I haven’t seen her in over a year. On TV or in person.”
“But you must remember what she looks like.”
“She had dark hair and blue eyes.” He took a bite of his steak. “She also had a loud voice and long middle finger she liked to give me. That I remember.”
I hid a smile. “Did you guys fight a lot?”
“In the end we did. Or at least, she would try to pick fights and I’d refuse to have them. I didn’t see the point.”
I nodded and ate a bite of my dinner. I still wasn’t certain what I was digging for.
“I don’t mean to blame Kimberly for everything. Like I said, I knew going into it the marriage was a mistake. I never wanted to be anyone’s husband.”
“So what made you do it?” I asked.
“Believe me, I’ve asked myself that question a million times. I still don’t have a good answer.” He focused on cutting his steak. “For a long time, it was like I was married to the Navy. But when that was over, my life changed. Guys around me were getting married, having families. I figured I’d try it instead of being alone.” He glanced up at me. “I probably sound like a real dick.”
“No,” I said quickly. “You sound honest.”
“Believe me, she didn’t like being married to me any better than I liked being married to her. When I’d travel for work, instead of coming home and finding someone who was glad to see me, I had someone determined to punish me for being gone.”
“Really?”
He shrugged. “She was an only child, and her parents had spoiled her rotten. She was used to feeling like the center of the universe.”
I laughed. “She never would have lasted in my house. Growing up with four sisters means you’re always sharing attention. We never had a chance to be spoiled.”