Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Colt nodded. He looked toward his father. “And the club?”
“We’ll always have your back. You, Rosalie, and Petal. You’re all part of the club.”
He got to his feet and nodded.
“So, what are you going to do?” Kim asked.
“I’m going to win her back.”
****
They had changed the décor of the diner, they’d given it a lick of paint, brightened up the place, and then changed the tables. They removed the ones that were too worn, and Kim was there, advising where she could.
It didn’t take them long to have the diner back up and running. Kim had helped them find a new chef, his name was Burto, and he was a friend of Kim’s, or something. Either way, he knew how to cook, and the customers had flocked back. Rosalie couldn’t remember it being so busy.
She and Petal were still waitresses. The only difference was they had to make sure stock was ordered, that Burto was happy, and all of the books were completed. Kim helped them every chance she could.
A month after reopening the diner, Rosalie stood at the counter and realized it was the first day she’d been able to smile. Not forced, but a genuine smile.
Some of the Satan’s Death Riders MC had arrived at the diner for their regular lunch. They were constantly returning. Thankfully, it hadn’t stopped other customers, and they had been around-the-clock busy.
“Burto’s left for the night,” Petal said.
“That’s good.”
“How are you holding up?” Petal asked.
“I’m doing fine, you?”
Something had happened to Petal that day back at the gas station. She didn’t know what but where her smile was once bright, there was a darkness within her gaze that never quite went away.
“You know me, strong as ever.” She winked at her. “Come on, it’s time for us to leave. I’ll drop you off at home, but remember, I’ve got this thing back at my folk’s.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Rosalie asked.
“Nah, I’m good.”
They locked up the diner and Rosalie climbed into Petal’s car. It was silent the whole ride to the house. Petal leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be home later, okay?”
Rosalie nodded. “Let me know if it’s anything I can help you with.”
Petal waved her hand. “It’s fine. It’s all good.”
She chuckled.
“And that’s what I’ve been missing,” Petal said, winking at her.
It wasn’t quite so hard to smile today.
Stepping into her home, she looked toward Petal, but she was already pulling away from the curb and headed back home. She figured Petal would turn around as she was going in the wrong direction, but shrugged it off. She closed and locked the door.
There was no pain today. Just an acceptance.
Putting the keys in the dish on the cabinet by the door, she hung up her jacket and bag, then walked through the house to the kitchen. She was tired and sick at the thought of food. Thankfully, there was canned soup. Staring at the can, she thought about Colt. He’d warmed her up some soup. Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she grabbed a can and a saucepan. As it started, there was a knock on the door. Turning down the gas, she walked toward the door and opened it. Colt was at her front door.
She had stopped sending the divorce papers. It was only costing her money for him to destroy them in whatever manner he thought suitable.
“Colt,” she said.
“Rosalie. Can I come in?”
Every other time, she would close the door, slam it even, but not today. Today, she opened the door and stepped away. She went toward the kitchen and looked at her soup. Colt had followed her after closing the door.
“Do you want some soup?” she asked.
“I’d love some.”
She grabbed another two cans. Colt ate more than she did, and she opened them up, quickly adding them to the too-large saucepan she’d used for one portion. As she stirred the soup, she was more than aware of Colt standing close. She sensed him moving toward her, but she didn’t tell him to stop. His hands touched her waist, and then slowly worked around until he held her.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“Fine. Today is … fine.”
It had to be fine, she was letting him hold her.
He pressed his face against her neck. “I’ve missed you, Rosalie,” he said.
Tears sprang in her eyes, and part of her wanted to tell him to fuck off, but why? Why did she want to tell him to leave, when she had thought about him all day? When she had looked at the Satan’s Death Riders MC and seen he wasn’t there, feeling such utter disappointment. She didn’t want him to be gone. Far from it.
Rosalie let go of the spoon, spun around, and held onto him. Colt didn’t hesitate, not even for a moment. He pulled her in close and held her.