Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 91079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Anything domestic. Bud. Coors. Miller. I’m not picky.”
“Two minutes?”
“Hell, take a smoke break and make it ten. I’m in no hurry.”
He chuckles at that. “I’ll be right back.”
From where I’m standing in the back corner of the room, I can see everything. There are little clusters of people scattered throughout the area. Some sit. Some stand. Some even dance to the elevator music.
They could’ve at least hired a band.
Bought a flower arrangement.
Rented a fog machine.
The waiter is back sooner than expected and hands me a Budweiser. “Here you are, Miss.” He offers me a wine glass, but I’ve already turned up the bottle. The beer is delicious. So cold it has ice shivers. Just the way I like it.
“Good?”
“Perfect. Can you keep ‘em coming?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thanks, and I better get that glass,” I say, knowing Jake will have something to say if he sees me chugging a bottle of beer in the back of the room.
“Allow me.” The waiter pours it without spilling a drop and hands it to me. From a distance, my Bud could pass for Moscato.
I want to ask if they have chicken wings, but my phone vibrates in my clutch that’s tucked beneath my arm. The message is from Emily.
How’s the party?
Sucks balls.
I hit send, thank the waiter again and start making my way through the throng of people in search of Ed. I find Jake first. And I can’t say I’m disappointed. He’s so relaxed. Carefree. Happy. Laughing—like I’ve never seen him before.
He stands with four men. They remind me of the cast from Magic Mike. Except they wear suits. And smirks. And have matching 2011 Justin Bieber hairdos. But even as hot as they are, they don’t compare to my That Guy.
Jake spots me and his smile falters. He just looks…hungry.
His eyes flit to my beer, my chest then to my face. He crooks his finger at me—his lips curling at the corners to reveal a sexy half smile. I hadn’t even realized I’d stopped walking. With tentative steps, I go to him.
“Penelope,” he says in a deep drawl that causes my knees to tremble. His fingers graze my elbow and he leans in to kiss my hair.
Except he doesn’t.
“Where the hell have you been?” he growls before pulling away—his smile back in place. If his fingertips on my elbow didn’t feel so good, I might pull away and punch him. “Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet my date, Penelope.”
Jake may take my breath away, but I’m the kind of girl who can appreciate a good looking man when I see one. In this case, four men. I bat my lashes and give them my full mega-watt smile. “Hello.”
I shake hands with three of them. Jake tells me their names, but they’re forgotten the moment he says them. Only one name sticks. Briggs. The name of the man who takes my hand, brings it to his lips, kisses it and then says in the hottest English accent ever, “Pleasure to meet you, Penelope. You are fucking stunning.”
Someone in the group snickers. I think Jake sighs. But all I can focus on are his words. And that there’s something…off…about this guy.
“Jake,” he says, his beautiful hazel eyes never leaving mine. “May I steal your lovely date? For a dance?”
“Careful, Briggs.” Jake’s voice is tight. A little annoyed.
I can’t find it in me to care. At least this guy is showing me a little attention. Jake has barely spoken to me since we’ve been here, much less asked me to dance.
I thrust my glass in his hand and let Briggs lead me out on the dance floor. Apparently, there is a band. They’re not playing yet, but they’re setting up. Doesn’t matter. I’d dance with Briggs to the Oscar Mayer bologna theme song. This classical elevator music will do just fine.
With one hand still clasped in his, he pulls me close and wraps the other around my waist. He holds me like a lover as we spin in a slow circle. A little too tight. Somewhat uncomfortable. I can feel every hard plane beneath his suit. Feel his heat. But we just don’t really…fit.
“You are a vision, Penelope.”
I smile. But I really want to frown. It was supposed to be Jake who told me that….
“You’re not so bad yourself, handsome.” Over his shoulder, I find Jake talking to a woman. He’s laughing. His head dipped so he can hear her.
Briggs’ gaze follows mine and he smiles. “Jealous?”
“Nope.” Liar.
He says nothing. Just…stares down at me with those sparkling eyes. His lips curved into a permanent amused smirk.
“So, how do you know Jake?” I ask, wishing he’d hurry up and spin me back around so I could see what else Jake was up too. And maybe get a better view of the woman he’s speaking with.
Maybe she’s old.
Pregnant.
His sister….
“We went to college together. I was new to the states. Jake took me under his wing. When we graduated, he convinced me to stay. The rest is history.”