Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
I couldn’t help but snicker when one guy walked into the restaurant and said to her, “My name’s Brice, but I go by BJ.”
The slight cringe on Holly’s face at the announcement of his initials made my night.
Even though I wasn’t supposed to intervene with her dates, sometimes I couldn’t help myself. I could see the discomfort in Holly’s normally bubbly personality, and I wasn’t going to have her sit there with jerks who made her uneased.
For example, Paul.
“I kind of have a thing for Black women,” Paul stated. “I love dark chocolate.”
To make it clear, Paul was Caucasian.
Did he compare Holly to a food item?
Within seconds, I slammed the bill in front of him. He raised an eyebrow at me. “What is this?”
“Your bill. The date’s over,” I ordered. “It’s time for you to leave.” I tried to keep my composure, but I saw Holly’s discomfort from Paul’s advancements, and the dark chocolate comment was the final straw. I wasn’t going to have her sit there and put up with his bullshit.
“Excuse me?” Paul asked, stunned. He looked over to Holly. “Can you believe this?”
Holly looked at BJ, then at me, then back to him, and shrugged. “Nice meeting you, Paul.”
Paul cussed under his breath and tossed money onto the counter for the drinks.
As he left, I looked over to Holly. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Thanks for that. Those situations are always awkward.”
“That’s another ‘don’t’ for your list. Don’t let these guys disrespect you. If any of them compare you to a food item or make a rude comment about your body, personality, or career, I give you permission to kick them in their balls.”
She snickered. “I’m not going to kick them in their balls.”
“At least consider kicking them in the balls.”
“I think we should stop talking about balls.” She picked up her purse and smiled my way. “Good night, Kai.”
“Night.”
Everything seemed right on track, and I had no doubt Holly would find a guy to take home for the holidays. When she walked in with her final date of the week, Matthew, I felt such a heavy level of success. Some nights after Holly’s dates, she’d stick around, and I’d swipe on her dating apps to give her a few options. I was the one who picked Matthew out for her on the app. Based on his and Holly's online conversations, he was the top contender.
Matthew was better looking than the other guys Holly picked for herself. He had a strong jawline and a full head of hair. He also looked as if he didn’t skip arm day at the gym. Sure, he wasn’t at Holly’s level of attractiveness, but not many people were. She was in a league of her own. Still, he was her best prospect yet.
Matthew did everything right.
He asked her all the right questions.
He laughed at her goofy yet charming jokes.
He wasn’t too touchy-feely but touched her forearm enough to let her know he was interested.
He also drank the best whiskey. I couldn’t fault him.
Holly looked the best she’d looked that night, too. Her hair was up in a perfect bun on top of her head, and two loose curls hung on the sides of her face. Her makeup was light but so flattering. She wore black leather pants, a lace top, and chunky black heels. Her lips were painted red, and she must’ve gotten her nails done earlier that afternoon because they matched her lip shade.
Her pearly white smile appeared when she laughed, and she’d toss her head back in her giggling fit. Who knew a laugh could be so fascinating?
“If you stare any longer, they might ask you to pull up a chair to join them,” Ayumu joked as he walked past me with two plates of food in his hands for table five.
I grumbled and looked away from Holly and Matthew for a moment. Only to find my eyes wandering back over to her. I wondered if she wore the same perfume she had two nights prior. The one that smelled like apples and fresh autumn mornings. I was engulfed in her scent when she walked past me the other day. Whatever that smell belonged against her skin.
After a few drinks, all of which were vodka waters, I grew a bit concerned. She didn’t give me the nose flick, but I’d never had her order three drinks. When I took her the third one, I narrowed my eyes at her. She smiled, giving me the signal to place it in front of her. The more they drank, the more I disliked Matthew. Not because he did anything wrong but because he didn’t. If I’m honest, he nailed the first date, which pissed me off. Then I was pissed off at myself because I didn’t understand why I felt pissed off. I tried to avoid emotions, but they seemed to sneak up on me since Holly came around.