Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Yeah, that’s what it sounded like they were saying up on the TV. That’s interesting.”
I sigh and tug my hand through my hair. “I just haven’t figured out how it’s going to work, exactly. I want to have an iron-clad plan in place with Harper. I won’t let my travel affect her. It’s not worth it.”
“Of course, yes. I can step up and help.”
Then, as if she’s embarrassed to have put herself out there in that way, she reaches for her beer and drinks a long sip.
“I’ve been thinking about that actually…”
She stays quiet and lets me finish.
“I want you to move back to the city with us.”
She sets her beer down and studies it as she talks. “That’s been my plan too. I know you might still need a caretaker for the house, but I just don’t think I want to be stuck out here with Ned as my only companion through fall and winter…”
“No, I know. I’ll get someone else to keep tabs on the house. That’s not my main concern.”
“What is?”
I turn so I’m facing her. My knee bumps her thigh, and I take hold of it, tucking my fingers up underneath her leg. “Figuring out how to make this work with the three of us. I want you to move in with Harper and me.”
Her eyes widen. “Move in…as your chef? Like I’ve been out here?”
I clear my throat. “Not exactly. More as my girlfriend.” My smile is slightly self-conscious. My heart’s beating like I’m stepping onto the field.
She’s about to reply when the bartender comes around.
“You two need anything?” He leans against the bar like he’s planning to stay a while. “Another drink? Some nuts?”
A LITTLE BUSY HERE, BUD.
“I think we’re okay,” Chloe answers quickly. “Thanks.”
He nods to me. “It’s cool to have you in here, man.”
So he did recognize me.
I nod, trying to skate the line between polite and unwelcoming.
“Is it true?” He points up at the TV. “What they’re talking about?”
Chloe leans forward. “Actually, I’m kind of tired of this beer. Could you make me some fancy cocktail? Something with like ten steps?”
The bartender laughs, not catching on.
He surveys his station. “I don’t have much back here.”
Chloe gives him a warm, encouraging smile. “Oh, whatever you come up with, I’m sure I’ll love it.” The second he walks away to get to work, she turns to me, eyes wide with alarm. “Go on, quick. We don’t have long.”
I laugh and lean in. “Well…I asked you to be my girlfriend.”
She nods. “Yes, I got that part.”
“And if I’m being honest, I’m hoping you can be someone I can trust to stay with Harper when I’m out of town. Maria will be there to help too, of course. I’m not trying to overload you and I don’t want you thinking I’m only asking you to move in because I need help with my daughter. Tate is going to be involved as much as she can be.”
She takes her bottom lip between her teeth, considering everything I’ve just laid on her lap.
I’m worried I’ve overwhelmed her. “Is this all too much too soon?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, I mean, it could be. Aren’t people supposed to do it in a certain order? Date casually, get more serious, talk about moving in…yada yada.”
“It’s a lot of pressure. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I’m only interested in you because you might be able to help with Harper. That’s not it at all.” I tighten my hold on her leg. “We can figure something else out. You don’t have to move in. You can just be my girlfriend without being involved with Harper. That’s not something that should fall on you, I realize.”
This suggestion does not make her happy. In fact, she looks almost offended that I would suggest it. “Are you kidding? I’m more loyal to Harper than I am to you.”
I laugh. “I just want to do this the right way, but I don’t live a normal life, so my relationships can’t be normal either.”
Goddammit, the bartender is back.
“Here’s that cocktail. Let me know if you don’t like it and I can—”
“I’m sure it’s going to be great!” Chloe says with an exaggerated smile. “Thank you.”
She takes it and turns back to me, pointedly showing him we’re in the middle of something. Finally, the guy gets the hint.
She sips it, pulls a disgusted face, and then sets it back down. “How do we do this?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t formulated a plan yet. I didn’t want to get too far ahead of myself. What if you’d told me no?”
“I mean, technically, I haven’t said yes. I guess you’ve been out of the game for a little while—you’re supposed to send me a note while we’re in class. ‘Do you want to date for real’ and the number 4 should actually be substituted for the word to convey how chill you are about all of it.”