Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
I can’t say no.
“Sure we can,” I tell him. “We’ll go right there after work.”
He leaps up from his chair and throws his arms around me. I let my hands rest on his back.
“Thanks, Uncle Alex.”
“We’ll get some pictures, too,” I say, looking at the walls, which are mostly blank except for some stock art. “It’s time we livened this place up a bit.”
“Sure,” he beams.
Walking down the driveway, I suddenly realize this means I’ll have to rearrange with Tori. I don’t want to. But it’s not like I can cancel on the little man now.
Alex: Hey, Tori. Sorry. I just promised Elliot I’d take him to the archery range. I couldn’t tell the little man no. He looked so hopeful. Maybe we could meet once your performance is done?
Tori: We can call it a raincheck. Maybe tomorrow? I’m easy. It’s no big deal.
She’s firmly planted her flag in casual territory again, which means I’m going to have to chill for now. I’m not sure I can do that, though.
Alex: Fair enough. Let me know if there are any problems with Damien. Call the cops first, but I also want to be kept informed. I want you to be safe.
Tori: I’ll be fine. But thank you.
On the way to work, I call Julian on the hands-free. He sounds shocked and uncharacteristically not sarcastic when I give him the rundown about everything.
“You did what?” he says. “Jesus, bro, that’s like something out of a movie. What were you thinking?”
I look over at the beach, seeing couples walking hand in hand, a pang in my chest. “It was pretty damn simple. I’m not going to let anybody hurt her. If that means staring down the barrel of one gun, two, or twenty, I’ll do it. Nobody gets to threaten her. End of story.”
“And the cops haven’t given her a squad car or anything?”
“No,” I snap. “She’s supposed to contact them if she notices anything strange. It’s ridiculous. If I had my way, I wouldn’t leave her side. But since last night, it’s like she’s determined to keep things casual again.”
“She’s young,” Julian says. “Maybe she doesn’t want to make commitments so fast. You’ve got to respect that.”
“It’s not like I’m going to propose to her. But I can’t ignore the fact that I care about her. Hell, I cared about her the first moment I saw her.”
“You didn’t feel this way about Lena. Even after what Robin did.”
“No,” I agree. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Truth be told, I never thought I could.”
“If you really want her, you’ll have to take it slow. Anyway, maybe the casual thing will be good.”
“How’s that?”
“Have some fun. Don’t take it too seriously. Then maybe this feeling will pass.”
“No,” I snap. “This isn’t going anywhere.”
It’s already a fire that won’t stop burning.
CHAPTER 17
TORI
“Why don’t you just ask him?” Lily says as I sit in front of the mirror the following evening, applying makeup for my poetry event.
“I don’t know…” Cleo sounds unsure.
“What don’t you know?” Lily snaps.
“Easy, Lils. No need to bite my head off.”
Cleo is right. It’s rare for Lily to sound angry, but when she does, it comes like thunder.
“You’re the one trying to stand between her and a man she cares about.”
“That’s why I think backing off might be for the best,” Cleo says. “Look, Lily, you found the man of your dreams. I get that. You’re the one-in-a-million case where it worked out perfectly. But not everybody is going to be as lucky as you. And, well, Tori… You already care a lot. Too much, honestly. This was supposed to be fun.”
“Who said I care too much?” I hiss.
“Babe, you don’t have to say it.”
She’s right. I’ve known these girls for far too long to be able to hide my true feelings from them.
“Why would the name of his nephew be in quotes? Why wouldn’t he have any texts?”
“Oh, gosh,” Lily says. “Next, you’re going to say you think he arranged to save you from that Damien freak?”
“Well…”
“Tori,” Lily says firmly. “All that stuff with your mom has made you doubt every little thing that happens. I’m sorry, but that’s a fact. I think you owe it to yourself to ask him.”
“Maybe Cleo’s right. Maybe I’m too young to care this fast,” I whisper.
“You’ve always been an old soul,” Lily says.
After our latest group call ends, I think about what Lily said. She’s right. I even told Alex the same thing early on in our texting. I stand in front of the mirror, brushing down my denim overalls.
When I walk into the hallway, Mom is waiting for me, wringing her hands in front of her. We haven’t spoken since last night when she dropped the bombshell. Damien’s attention might not be organic. It might be a warped form of revenge for his dad, who my mom cheated on.