Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
"You're already living in my house and sleeping in my bed. Plus, you’ve already seen me naked. What more could you possibly want to know?" I ask, barely above a whisper.
She swallows hard, her cheeks paint into a beautiful shade of pink. Fallon doesn't get deep with people or share personal things about herself often, that much I’ve learned.
"Have you ever been married before?" she asks, and I blink in surprise at the random question.
"No. Why?"
She takes a sip of her lemonade. "Just trying to figure out why a thirtysomething man—with a stable job, a nice house, lots of land, and from what I can tell, no murder experiencing—can still be single. And before you feed me the bullshit of how you haven't found the one, I have a gut feeling there's more to it than that. Perhaps Greta can fill in the gaps for me?"
The compliments she rambled off amuse the hell out of me. Even if she threw a couple of jabs in the very next breath.
Shrugging, I grab my lemonade and take a drink. "I’m thirty-five. You act like I’m too old to still get married or something, but I don't know what to tell ya. I’ve never felt a spark outside the bedroom that has made me want more."
"I’m only thirty and am already sick of the dating scene because of men who only want hookups. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like in five years.” She makes a face as if the thought of dating disgusts her. “Have you ever tried getting to know someone before jumping into bed with them?"
I'm tempted to tell her that she’s the first, but when Greta slides our plates onto the table, I pause.
"Let me know if you need anything else," she says, and Fallon doesn't hesitate to stop her.
"Actually, I was hoping to pick your brain a little."
Greta smiles wide. "Ask away, sweetie."
"What kind of guy is Levi White?”
Confusion is written all over Greta’s face.
Fallon continues. “Well, let me explain. I ended up at his cabin by accident as the blizzard rolled in, which meant I was stuck there. Do you find it odd that this man would just let a strange woman live in his house?”
Greta listens intently, and I know she’s adding Fallon’s story to her gossip list.
Although they’re speaking about me like I’m not here, I speak up. “Feel free to answer truthfully. I actually want to hear this.”
Greta turns her attention back to Fallon as I brace myself. "Well, it's not surprising he'd help a stranger, especially in the middle of a storm. Levi would give the shirt off his back to someone if they needed it. I’d consider yourself lucky that you ended up at his house instead of someone else's. On the flip side, I think you're the first woman who's ever stayed there for more than one night in a row."
And there it is. She started out so strong.
"Interesting..." Fallon grins. "Are you surprised he's never been married?"
"Levi?" Greta bellows out a laugh. "Oh, sweetie, no. Be careful using that word around him, though. You might scare the Christmas spirit out of him."
"Oh, c'mon," I groan, picking up my sandwich. "You act like I have a commitment phobia."
"What would you call it?" Greta asks with a hand on her hip. Fallon smirks at the way she grills me.
"Someone who doesn't settle for anything less than what he deserves."
Fallon rolls her eyes, digging into her food. "Pretty sure my ex said the same thing to me when he refused to be exclusive."
As soon as the words fly out, she quickly covers her mouth. "Shit, I hadn't meant to say that."
"And the truth comes out."
"Forget I mentioned it."
Unlikely.
Greta is pulled away to help another customer while Fallon and I eat in awkward silence. There's no denying that her ex is why she's reluctant to get into a relationship. Not that I'm actively searching, but when the universe drops a brunette bombshell in your bed, you don't pass up the opportunity to see if she's the one.
Once we're done eating, I grab the check, and we head to the register. The door swings open, and Catharina strolls in with one of her friends—whose name I can’t remember.
"Levi!" she squeals, nearly pushing Fallon to give me an unwanted hug. "How are you? It's been so long."
"Hi, Catharina."
"You remember my friend Gabby?"
"Of course," I say, playing it off.
"Who's this?" Catharina asks, giving Fallon a not-so-subtle death glare.
"Fallon Joy. I'm a journalist here on business. Levi’s just showing me around," Fallon says.
"How wonderful!" Catharina gushes, but I don't miss Fallon's clenched jaw. "You're so lucky to have a strong man like Levi to be your tour guide, especially in this weather."
"Yeah, I feel so damn lucky," Fallon states with sarcasm lacing her words. Her serious tone has me holding back a laugh.