Total pages in book: 206
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
I left my box of mementoes in the basement and only brought up my summer clothes. I certainly wasn’t planning to stay here and make it home, so all my personal stuff that I normally liked around me, photos, stuffed animals, frilly throw cushions, they could all stay boxed. All I needed were my basics upstairs. The only other thing beyond clothing I took was my jewelry box. It had been my mother’s and I wanted it, no needed it, close.
I tucked the picture of my Mom and Tommy’s father behind another picture in the album to hide it. I didn’t know whether Tommy knew there was a connection between my mom and his dad or not but I felt like I needed to hide this information for the moment without any explanation. Of course I knew Mr. Ferrano seemed to want me to know he knew who she was after his comment about me looking like her.
After I got everything away, I got ready, but I wasn’t looking forward to this dinner at all. I didn’t know if I’d act the wrong way or say the wrong thing. I didn’t know how to pull off the ruse of acting like I was a blushing bride-to-be.
Sarah was to be out the rest of the day, so I was alone in the house with a security guard that I’d seen before and another outside that I hadn’t seen before.
From what I could tell they worked in twelve-hour shifts on the property. At one point I looked out the window and the one guy had been in the driveway talking to three other guys, one of which had been the Lou Ferrigno-looking burly guy from that first day. I looked back out the window later and it was another guy, one I didn’t recognize.
I was ready at 4:20 and impatiently paced around the front door area until 4:48 when I heard the house phone ring. There weren’t any security guys nearby, so I picked it up, preparing to just take a message.
“Hello?”
“Oh… Tia?” It was a female.
“Yes…” Who would be calling me here?
“Hi! This is Tessa, Tommy’s sister. Tommy’s running late so I’m gonna swing by and get you. I’m pulling up to the gate in like two seconds. Can you meet me outside?”
“I, uh, okay.”
“Cool. See you in two.”
Weird. And uncomfortable. I’d have to be alone with this girl and would I get a total inquisition? I stepped outside and the guard looked up at me and smiled. This was the first of the Ferrano security guys, besides Earl, to smile at me. Then the gate opened and a red SUV pulled in. The guard talked to her. They conversed for a few minutes so I eventually walked down the steps toward them. A pretty blonde unlocked the door and I got into the passenger seat.
There were two boys strapped in the back in car seats, one a toddler, the other a baby. The bigger of the two was playing on a little toddler game system and the smaller was asleep. She was very attractive, a petite blonde with a few chunky dark highlights. Lots of jewelry. Expensive-looking clothes and purse. I couldn’t believe the baby was sleeping through the racket that was the dance music on her car sound system.
“Hey!” She shook my hand and started talking a mile a minute as she pulled out, talking over the loud music.
“I’m glad to meet you. Tommy said you guys were running late and that he hadn’t picked you up yet, so I decided to pick you up on the way and save him the trouble. This way, too, he can’t cancel because we’ve got you already. Back there are Lucas and Antonio.”
“Uh, nice to meet you. Thanks.” I waved at the older of the two boys in the backseat.
“Everyone can’t wait to meet the girl that has finally stolen my brother’s heart. You’re nineteen? You look older than that! How did you meet? Oh my God!” She grabbed my hand again and started checking out my ring, “It’s beautiful! My brother has always had great taste.”
I felt the car swerve and then someone honked at us. She laughed and grabbed the steering wheel. “Sorry. Saw something shiny! Hahaha”
She was funny; I liked her instantly.
“I just gotta stop at the bakery to grab dessert. My father’s wife Lisa is useless in the kitchen and Sundays his housekeeper is off, so Luc is bringing dinner and I’m bringing dessert. We do dinner almost every Sunday and we rotate who does what. You cook?” She turned down the radio a bit.
I nodded. “I do. I –”
Her phone cut me off. It was a really loud dubstep ring and it startled me.
She answered it. “Tommy, what? Driving!” She listened for a second, frowned, and then said, “Yeah. What’s the prob?” She glanced over at me. Then she really scrunched up her face. “Yeah, I’ll be there in like five. Whatever. Here.” She passed me the phone and turned her music down some more. I almost fumbled, getting the phone to my ear.