Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
“It’s my grandpa’s farm or, well, our farm, too.”
Bingo.
“Do you know if they offer wholesale, or do you only keep to town events like these?”
“No way.” The other boy laughs. “We’d be throwing away hundreds of pounds of product if we did that.”
Perfect.
“Do you guys allow visitors at the farm?”
“I don’t think so, but we have a little shop you could come to. Gift baskets and treats and stuff.”
“What kind of treats?”
“Woman, stay focused.”
The boys laugh as I blush, and they seem to perk up when Crew grins their way.
“You got a number for someone we can call to talk to about order and fulfillment needs?” he asks.
“It’s on the back of the receipt.” The kid smirks.
Fighting a smile, I look to Crew, who hides a grin just the same.
“Let me get a bag of cherries and a basket of strawberries.” He fishes out his wallet.
Proud of himself, the kid rings him up, and I step out, peeking at the next booth—also full of bright, colorful fruits. I turn back to see if Crew is done, bumping into someone as I do.
Their hands lock on my arms to steady me as I rush to apologize.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so—” My eyes snap up, colliding with familiar ones.
“Jess…”
He offers a tight smile, his hands lowering to his sides. “Hey. How’s it going?”
“Good.” I nod, a pang of guilt in my chest.
I enjoyed hanging out with him, it was fun and easy, but I would be lying if I said I was missing it. It’s like with my job. I would look forward to going, ready to chat with Rachel and the cooks, pass the time and make money while doing it. I hated being home because that meant I was alone, and all I had to do then was study, so I did. All the time.
Now? The thought of going back to work tomorrow sucks.
I want to fall asleep with Crew at seven in the morning and wake at one in the afternoon, with the understanding that it’s perfectly acceptable to eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch at that time. Or pancakes.
Anyway, I don’t want to go to work and lose time with him.
Maybe he needs time to himself, Davis? You’ve been in his face for days now.
Jess clears his throat, and I shake my head, looking up at him.
“How about you? Any leads on work or…?”
Jess nods. “Yeah, I uh…” He pauses when a shadow falls over me.
Crew is at my back, silent, and likely blank faced.
“I decided to go for my master’s, so it’s back to school for me,” he shares.
“Oh my god, that’s amazing. Congrats.”
“Yeah.” He smiles but then quickly clears his throat again, erasing it. His frown flicks over my head a moment and back. “I’m headed back home in a couple weeks, there’s a program I’m joining at the college nearby. Half the price and close to my sister, so…”
He has a sister?
I didn’t know that.
Crew presses closer, his hand possessively landing on my hip and pulling me into him.
Tension claws at my skin, waiting for him to snap something, but he surprises me.
Shocks me, really.
“Why don’t you come by the bar before you go,” Crew offers. “I owe you a round.”
Sure, his tone is flat and hollow, maybe a little forced and not at all excited about the possibility of Jess accepting, but it’s the words that matter, right?
“A round?” Jess scoffs, but not in anger. “You owe me a night.”
I look up and over my shoulder at Crew.
“Yeah, all right.” He nods slowly. “You plus one.”
Jess nods, looks to me and a small smile forms on his lips. “Later, Davis.”
I lift my hand in a wave, but he’s already turned to walk away, so I spin, wrapping my arms around Crew’s middle.
“What?” He glares.
“You know what. That was nice.”
He groans, leaning down, and pecks my lips. “Fuck that guy.”
A laugh flies from me as he grins.
“Come on, Sweets. We got people to meet.”
And on we go.
By the end of the long rows, we’ve collected six numbers, two of the vendors sending us home with a giant box of mixed citrus for “testing” purposes.
“Potentially saving some money and getting free stuff.” I grin as I open the tailgate, hopping up on the edge as Crew sets the wheelbarrow down in front of me.
“I’d say that’s a solid afternoon.” He grins, quickly unloading all the goods from the day.
He pushes the box of fresh-baked monkey bread to the side, but I swiftly lean over, snatching it up.
“I’ll take that.”
“I bet you will.”
Digging in, I tear a piece off the edge, my whole body melting when I get the first taste of the candy pecans coating the top.
“Baby, don’t be making sounds like that out here.”
My eyes open, my legs following when he slips closer.
“It might make me snap.”
“Snap, crackle, pop, babe. Please. I’m so ready for it.” I take another bite, tearing at the thick breading with my teeth, and Crew dips forward, biting off the excess hanging from my mouth.